After Obama remarks, Gates controversy festers

To think if this was happened to a Black Gay man, will the Black community still back him up like this scale?

What a wonderful distraction to Health Care Reform. The republicans couldn't have asked for a better story to divide the country. Rush, Hannity and others are adding fuel to the fire of hate.

I for one am very passionate about the relationship and communications problems that exist in the black community with the Police Departments. This isn't new and because it's a high profile case suddenly everyone is talking. Well, it needs to be talked about and it needs action. This is an opportune time to open up dialogue with the police and address these concerns. This is the time to dust off some of those training guides again because it's a continuous problem for black and hispanic men who are being singled out by the police in disproportionate numbers across this country. We know that there is Dr. Gates story, the policmans story, and the real story. Since we may never know the real story we know enough about racial profiling in the black community to move forward with appropriate positive action. People, this situation is not new. Wake up before this situation is blown completely into something unnecessary!!

So true ShaQuitta!! This is a major diversion.

This hasnt sparked a controversy. What it has done is to flush the racists out. They are hopping mad. It has revealed yet again the predominant white culture refusal to look inward at their privledge and racism. It is that simple. Say the word Race and they are off to the denial races. (pardon the pun)

I Totally agree with ShaQuitta.....and you can really tell that most of the people who are fueling this story probably don't have a life....

Dr. Gates have you ever considered putting an extra house key under, say your birdbath or a particularly unassuming stone? This story is stupid. Go Yale.

A picture tells a thousand words....The olny person in the picture who looks "out of sorts" is Gates. Even the black officer in the pic does not seem concerned. One cops hand is barely holding his arm and the other cop is seemingly trying to calm him down. Here's the facts, a lady saw 2 black men breaking into a house. TRUE (even thou it was his) It's more her fault for not knowing her neighbors, but she thought she was protecting her neighbor. The cop shows up enters a door that was obviously pryed open. The cop now has a procedural obligation to handcuff anyone who could be a potential threat in the home no matter what they "say". And at that time under those circumstances you are not allowed to start reaching into your pockets, especially when agitated even if your the home owner. Which brings us to Gates. Getting back for a long trip, having locked himself out of his home, meter on the cab running and finally having to break into his own home knowing full well that he would have to call someone to repair the damage before he even unpacked and sat down to rest....cue the cop who thought from the call and evidence upon entry he was in a bad situation with a 2 on 1 potential. Gates pissed off (rightfully so) because his day was going so badly. And incensed that he was being confronted in his own home (as we all would be). But the fact remains, if he would have understood the cops position (being a educated man) and complied until the cop could figure it out. His "cuffed" time would have been less than 15 min. with a sincere apology from a cop who got a bad call. But Gates went off and kept going off, finally the cop had enough and just arrested him. At which point he played the "Race Card". Weak.

Oops. now we see what happens when Obama doesn't have his telepromter.

He doesn't need a teleprompter if he speaks from his heart. Sometimes that's called for.

The truth is both parties acted "stupidly". Professor Gates did so by going off on the officer while not recognizing that the officer was responding to an actual break-in that was being perceived as a burglary and the officer did so by arresting Professor Gates after it was established Professor Gates was indeed a homeowner "breaking into" his own house to enter it not to burglarize it. Both parties failed to effectively communicate with each other, both acted "stupidly", and both should apologize to each other.

WHATS TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD I HEARD EXACTLY WHAT THE PREZ HAD SAID GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES BOTH PARTIES ACTED STUPIDLY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFUSSES BASED ON THE MERIT OF THE MISUNDERSTANDING. 1. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A OBLIGATION TO SERVE THE PUBLIC,THE ONES WHO MAKE THEIR PAYCHECK. 2.IF THEIR IS A MISUNDERSTANDING WHILE A OFFICER IS PERSUING HIS DUTIES, A INNOCENT PERSON BEING PERSUED AS A CRIMINAL ,AFTER BEING FOUND INOCENT THE OFFICER SHOULD HAVE APOLOGISED AND WENT ON HIS WAY REGARDLESS WHAT HAD BEEN SAID . AS A OFFICER THAT TEACHES PROFILING AND THE NEED FOR SUCH TEACHING SHOULD OF SET THE EXAMPLE ,KNOWING THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PROFILED AND THE BITTERNESS THAT IT HAS CAUSED AND THE DECRIMINATION PROBLEM THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS UNDERTOOK AND THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE MOVING TOWARDS EQUALITY, AND AS A RESULT OF STANDING RECORD OF ABUSE AND MISUSE OF POWER OF POLICE OFFICERS AND THE REFORM NEEDED, A FEW BAD APPLES HAVE RUINED IT FOR THE ONES ACTING WITH PROFFESSIONALISM, THAT BEING SAID BECAUSE HE COULDNT DIFFUSE THE SITUATION AND CHOSE TO TAKE A INNOCENT MAN TO JAIL FOR HAVING A ATTITUDE ,BEING INNOCENT FROM THE PRESUMED GUILT THE OFFICER WAS CALLED THEIR TO INVESTIGATE,ON THE MERIT THAT HE WAS UBRULY AND UPSET WHAT GIVES THEM THE RIGHT TO TAKE A INNOCENT MAN TO JAIL.....ESPECIALLY WHEN THEIR HAS BEEN NUMEROUS SITUATIONS WHEIR POLICE WHILE PERSUING A SUSPECT AND A ACCIDENT ENSUED THAT OFFICERS APPROACH A UNCONSCIOUS SUSPECT WITH UNWARRANTED FORCE , DO WE THE PUBLIC HAVE THE RIGHT TO ARREST THEM..NO IT GETS BRUSHED UNDER THE RUG... WHERES THE COMMON SENSE FACTOR ,IF YOUR JOB IS TO STRESSFUL AND YOU CANT HANDLE THE HEAT AND THE STIGMA OF THE MISUSE OF POWER OF ABUSE OF FELLOW OFFICERS IN THE PAST , GET THE HELL OUT OF THE KITCHEN OR START TEACHING COMMON SENSE...HEAVEN FORBID WE BRING UP THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE AND WHEN ITS WARRANTED WHEN COMMON SENSE IS UNOBTAINABLE.

I'm white. The blacks in this story acted like children and the law officer acted with restraint. The officer should be proud and Obama and Gates should be and, with enough passage of time, will be ashamed.

Dear Dr. Gates, You are not Rosa Parks And when you went to jail it was not cuz you're dark You'd shown a policeman that you could be tough And did not like what happened when he'd had enough The way this man saw it he was just doin work And you're supposed be smart but you called him a jerk You called him a racist and that was real bold I bet he smiled big when you crossed the threshold You can't make 5-0 out to be like a coward They ALWAYS gone show you who got the real power If you wanna bitch take your fight to the hood Where brothas go to jail if they happen to look good Where there's a big gaping hole in the achievment gap And the local officials DO NOT GIVE A CRAP You're on CNN acting like Rodney King And cuz YOU went to jail freedom finally gone ring? You teach up at Harvard and live like The Hills While all the real victims got problems and bills I'm sorry but I'm gettin tired of your noise You almost as bougie as Dr. DuBois But you're Dr. Gates and you not even dark So stop walkin round like the new Rosa Parks With love and ever lasting respect, Gary Brice

Obama is in a pickle, now that the cop's real persona has come out and its no where near what Gate's claimed and now the white folks are up in arms and going to keep it out in the open. I just don't believe that Obama would have been as clueless as to take the bait without all the facts being in, you know whites will always say the cop's are always right, for crying out loud they said the ones who beat Rodney King were just doing thier jobs and justifed, if its a black guy, they don't care Ph.d or up in the hood, the cops can do no wrong and this pompus Gates was not smart enough to know this?

HA! That's good.

Well, he found out that being 56% white with black skin means nothing, these white folks don't care, the cop's for the majority of whom are racists, just too bad Gate's got the 1 out of 1000 who isn't, allegedly! The bigger issue is why do blacks fear the police, even for the most mundane dealings with them? This is a total non-issue in the real world, Gate's hasn't been black in his mind for years, his whole bougie world is white, wife etc., and now he's shocked that he got no respect from the police? Or that he is still black LOL! Hopefully one of these days it will be Clarence Thomas who gets the wakeup call!

A member of the Harvard Professorship slinging "yo-momma" jokes at law enforcement? It would appear the affirmative action worm has finally turned. The threat of a PR b**ch-slap has crippled academia. This man never would have gotten tenure otherwise.

Before you deify the police officer know that very few black and hispanic men find police officers to be trustworthy. Unfortunately, their reputation in dealing with minorities isn't that stellar and that's why this issue is out front and snowballing because race is the underlying subject. If the Police wants to sue so should Professor Gates. All of this finger pointing, name calling and armchair referee talk isn't going to help the situation. The media is having a field day. This is the shot in the arm the talking heads on the news needed to justify their existence. "Poor lil white cop who once helped the coloreds wronged by a hot head black college professor"! We are truly in a sorry state of affairs. I guess healthcare and the war got to be boring. Someone even suggest that Skip Gates should shuck and jive like Uncle Tom. Race relations in this country makes us look like uncivilized buffoons around the world. If it wasn't so sad it would be laughable. God help us all -- even the ones that don't believe in you.

Let a white man break in down for you. I don't benefit from black people having it tough. Look up at the top of this page. There's a headline about HIV hurting blacks. This is self-inflicted crap. It also sucks up limited tax dollars. I have a business and poor black people can't buy anything from me. I wish they were all millionaires. They could buy more from me. We'd both be winners. All the victimization crap poured into your ears by Jesse and Al does you more harm than 1000 racist cops. Do you really think that if the government gives you enough or if you get hiring preferences you'll be better off? You'll just barely get buy. Forget Al and Jesse and go out and prosper. And teach your kids to prosper. Forget all this hate.It holds you down. The only reason this white man sides with the cops is because if they didn't keep the peace I'd go have to do it myself. You know what I'm saying is the truth.

When a cop is sent out on a 911 call, I would bet that most are valid calls and the officer has to sort the facts and respond with haste. The fact that a neighbor of the professor made the call is just reinforcement that a person who would , presumably, know that the professor lived there, gives credibility to the officers actions. If it had been a home invasion ,kidnapping, or other mischief, then Gates would have felt differently. Rather than thank the officer for readily potentially putting himself in harms way in response to the neighbors 911 call, Gates chose to be offended and to berate the officer for doing his job. Police take enough crap in the performance of their duties, without being haranged for it. Has anyone ever noticed how many murders are committed by people who violate a restraining order, go some place that they ought not be and kill or injure someone. Based upon the 911 urgency of this call, the officer would rightly want to sort out the details. This particular officer was the same who gave Regie Lewis mouth to mouth trying to save him. Is that racist? This learned professer needs to ride with these officers, become aware of what they face every day and agree that no officer willingly takes crap, as there is just to much of it that they cannot avoid anyways.

lmao, it's the democrats who oppose the healthcare reform bill more than the republicans, smarten up,you think it's a distraction your right, but not from healthcare, from the fact we OBVIOUSLY already have equality, THE PRESIDENT IS BLACK! go live your lives you whiny bitches and by the way if demos and liberals could verbally trash a president they didn't vote for I can say F*ck obama

Obama's remarks are exactly what this country needs. When the President of the United States has something to say on the subject of racial profiling then you know it's a problem in this country. I just hope that law enforcement officials take this issue seriously before it happens again. You can only continue to be nice for so long on this issue...

Another important fact here.... That was NOT Gate's house. It was Harvard University's house and they changed the locks. So you can't blame the woman who called in a potential burglary and you can't blame the cops for simply attempting to check the house and Gate's ID. Remember Gates is the one who was acting irrational, spewing racial remarks, and keeping the cops from doing their job. It's his own fault he was arrested.

I'm white too. I wasn't there, but it sure looks suspicious when the cop admits that he knew Gates was in lawful residency and arrested him anyway. Sensitivity training? I don't think so. I'm involved in sensitivity training between races every day. If this cop truly had such training, or is a trainer, he would've recognized the situation and not let it escalate. Again, while I wasn't there, it sure does look like the cop acted stupidly for all his purported "training". Anyway, people, let's admit we still have race problems in this country and let this particular incident GO!

This is what happens when you make a Kenyan a US President......

I am hearing alot now about the woman who made the call, claiming she should be taught about race relations, etc! Bull, that woman is totally innocent, she is in an affluent area where people have worked hard to attain that style of life, I cannot blame her one ounce. The black community (most of them) do not submit to law enforcement well, when a police office tells you to stop, drop, and roll, thats what you do. Militant blacks will tell you "We have been bowing to the white man for years, no more" Thats DUMB. The black police officer that was with the arresting officer said the white officer did nothing wrong, this is from a fellow coworker who was there, what more evidence do you need. Dont blame the Republicans for this one (I am a Democrat), this is failure in our own party for electing someone inexperienced and Obama is as much a part of the old regime of politics as anyone else, and could he have picked any one more obnoxious as a VP, Mr. Biden? he's as much of a loud mouth like John Kerry, and Kennedy. The economy is still in ruins, this needs to be fixed, jobs need to be created, foreclosures need to be stopped. Do you know how we are all going to learn to "Get along" when we are all (black and white) standing in the soup line together with time to burn because the president who was "supposed to be like us" Is not who we expected.

If Henry Kissinger was the Harvard professor, George Bush #41 was the President, and a AFRICAN-AMERICAN police officer were the players in an identical fact pattern to the one that now swirls around "Skip" Gates, we would be having a very different conversation now, wouldn't we? I'll tell you exactly what would have happened: 1st the cops would've been fired for not knowing one of the best known educators at Harvard. 2)There would be serious questions about the black cops qualifications. 3)Bush would have been lauded for saying the cops acted stupidly. Finally, this is all moot because A BLACK NEIGHBOR WOULD NOT HAVE CALLED THE COPS WITHOUT AT LEAST GETTING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE GUY AT THE DOOR. If you're not a minority, have never lived as one or even merely understood what it's like to live in this country and experience racial prejudice, then you have NO means to speak or even have an opinion about something as sensitive as this. I don't care if Gates was pissed when he had his exchange with the cop. Hello??!!! Wouldn't YOU be upset if a cop automatically assumed you were a thief breaking into your own damn home!!! Give me a break already!!!

interesting comments -- reverse racism at its best. Sure no presidential comments would have been made or this would have been an issue if you turn the colors around. Stop looking at colors and looking at the facts!

If Henry Kissinger was the Harvard professor, George Bush #41 was the President, and a AFRICAN-AMERICAN police officer were the players in an identical fact pattern to the one that now swirls around "Skip" Gates, we would be having a very different conversation now, wouldn't we? I'll tell you exactly what would have happened: 1st the cops would've been fired for not knowing one of the best known educators at Harvard. 2)There would be serious questions about the black cops qualifications. 3)Bush would have been lauded for saying the cops acted stupidly. Finally, this is all moot because A BLACK NEIGHBOR WOULD NOT HAVE CALLED THE COPS WITHOUT AT LEAST GETTING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE GUY AT THE DOOR. If you're not a minority, have never lived as one or even merely understood what it's like to live in this country and experience racial prejudice, then you have NO means to speak or even have an opinion about something as sensitive as this. I don't care if Gates was pissed when he had his exchange with the cop. Hello??!!! Wouldn't YOU be upset if a cop automatically assumed you were a thief breaking into your own damn home!!! Give me a break already!!! WHY IS IT THAT TOO MANY PEOPLE REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THIS COUNTRY??!!! The difference between 2009 and 1709 is that slavery no longer exists, but racism is in full force and disguised too often! I'm sick and tired of people acting like all cops are a superior power and we must bow down to them even if they ARE wrong! Yes, that's what I said...a cop can and has been wrong. Even if it were a Rodney King issue, these damn cops get lauded!! Ridiculous!! That means Professor Gates doesn't even have a right to freedom of speech and say how he felt after some idiot cop assumes that he is breaking in...even AFTER he produced his Harvard ID!! Hello??!! It's in the police report!!! I'm not surprised the cop won't apologize - most cops are always on their damn high horse just because they wear a uniform. Obama was 100% right....he acted STUPIDLY!! In fact, that's putting it mildly.

fairlane - that's what YOU should be doing. You're the ones who are quick to judge Obama as a racist because he told the truth! Interesting how Obama - a man with a white mother, grandmother and an African father who lived in Indonesia and grew up in Hawaii - is being called a racist!! fairlane, grow up and get YOUR facts straight before YOU look at color!! That was very ludicrous of you to make such a stupid statement in light of how you're making yourself look along with all these other racist, bigoted, white supremacist idiots!!!

I lived in North Carolina for a couple of years before choosing much safer region of the country. In my years there I called 911 many times. The first question by 911 dispatch was always "is this (these) guy(s) black or white?". I called in robberies, assaults and shootings. I myself was threatened at gunpoint 3 times in 2 years. To my recollection, I only ever witnessed African Americans committing the mentioned crimes. When I called 911, they wanted a description: race, sex, height, weight and the best possible description of the garments being worn. Let's stop playing stupid to placate the President Obama or the good professor. He's an asshole, not because he's black, but because he's an asshole.

You live in a country where you can do anything you want. You are holding yourself back. If you have failed at your goals in life blame yourself. Only then do you have a prayer of success. You and others keep talking about what it is like to be black. What a red herring. What an excuse. No wonder you've failed. Start a business. Get black customers. I'm white and I have black customers. Take some of mine. Then get so good at what you do that you take some of my white customers. I won't be mad. I love competition. Then hire someone. Then this is where the good part comes in. See how much crap you want to put up with from employees when you've invested YOUR life and YOUR time and they won't perform. You'll fire their a** and they'll gripe about you like you're griping about white people. This is just the start of your education grasshopper.

He is showing his true colors, I am ashamed to have him as President, we are learning who he is little by little - a little late but never the less. If you don't see his agenda of hate and racism towards whites and the lack of what he is representing! I am sorry for you. During his campaign we saw some signs but I guess we didn't want to believe that he was hateful towards whites and America, and with lack of respect of the law. But I guess now I can see it!, He even is selecting to the Supreme court people like him, Racist, that will support minority agendas and manipulation.

This is ridiculous. I hope they release these tapes. If they do, I have a feeling you're going to hear one hot-headed professor berating a police officer just responding to a call.

Wow... as BIAS "reporting"as it gets! I hope this isn't any of your official "news" source, lol. Not once was it mentioned in this article that Prof. Gates WASN'T arrested because he broke into or was just hanging out in his own home but was arrested because he was being DISORDERLY!!. Get it! The Cambridge Police Dept. didn't just show up at Gates house because there was a black man inside. The officer was alerted to a 911 call of a possible break-in. Also, for you nuts who think this is actual news. If you believe for one second that SGT. Crowel is going to be the one cashing in on this... with a lawsuit, please, get a life. Gates already has spoken to at least two NY publishing houses about a book deal ( inside sources)

Wow... as BIAS "reporting"as it gets! I hope this isn't any of your official "news" source, lol. Not once was it mentioned in this article that Prof. Gates WASN'T arrested because he broke into or was just hanging out in his own home but was arrested because he was being DISORDERLY!!. Get it! The Cambridge Police Dept. didn't just show up at Gates house because there was a black man inside. The officer was alerted to a 911 call of a possible break-in. Also, for you nuts who think this is actual news. If you believe for one second that SGT. Crowel is going to be the one cashing in on this... with a lawsuit, please, get a life. Gates already has spoken to at least two NY publishing houses about a book deal ( inside sources)

WHY IS IT THAT TOO MANY PEOPLE REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THIS COUNTRY??!!! The difference between 2009 and 1709 is that slavery no longer exists, but racism is in full force and disguised too often! I'm sick and tired of people acting like all cops are a superior power and we must bow down to them even if they ARE wrong! Yes, that's what I said...a cop can and has been wrong. Even if it were a Rodney King issue, these damn cops get lauded!! Ridiculous!! That means Professor Gates doesn't even have a right to freedom of speech and say how he felt after some idiot cop assumes that he is breaking in...even AFTER he produced his Harvard ID!! Hello??!! It's in the police report!!! I'm not surprised the cop won't apologize - most cops are always on their damn high horse just because they wear a uniform. Obama was 100% right....he acted STUPIDLY!! In fact, that's putting it mildly. Actually, Obama was way too kind..... I would not have even retracted my statement and I sure as HELL wouldn't even THINK about apologizing for what I said! He's the President.... by default he lords it over the stupid cop and all the other racist idiots out there who think they're always right just because they're white!! Lord knows dumbass Bush #43 (the biggest idiot of them all) got away with saying the most ridiculous things ever AND got away with it!!!???!!! WTF is wrong with this country!! You people need to grow up and wake up!!!

The bottom line is this: there is no way in America that a homeowner whether he be white or black should be arrested by a cop for trying to get into his own property. The cop abused his authority in arresting this man. He had no legal grounds for the arrest. And it looks like he fudged his own police report to justify an unjustifiable arrest. Furthermore had the cop been a "good" cop as every body is trying to paint him...he would have diffused the situation with Gates...asked Gates to calm down...and explained to Gates that he was not there to harrass him but to assist him in light of the nature of the call that came in. The cop did not do a good job. The cop is not a "good cop". And the cop did a dis-service to both the community and the country by allowing this to fester to the level it has reached. Further more it is absolutely appauling that cops with a badge think that because they have the title of cop and have a bdage that they can be beligerent and nasty to people and violate their rights. The cop owes Gates an appology. It was understandable Gates would be upset. Anyone would've been upset in these circumsatnces even if they had been white. I am appualled that the white police chief would waste tax payer money in holding a press conference to say he supports his cop being rude and beligerent to a citizen who committed no crime. This is the problem with cops in this country...they uphold each other in their wrong. This cop needs to be disciplined inspite of his so-called "good" record:. And how dare Obama appologize for his original statement...this cop did act stupidly!

Oh boy, the much maligned and victimized "white" posters are out in full force with their vapid racism, just pitiful the hate they have, and, thank goodness they are declining in population and being overtaken by Hispanic like the dodo bird. And, peter Swinson, why are you here, Rush and the anti-black GOP send you in, since your racism is just what the GOP spews to its "white" male base LOL!

Yea... because Mike here doesn't come off sounding like a raciest either, LOL

OMG American Citizen...whoever you are THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! FINALLY, the ONLY smart post I've read on this in the middle of all these other nonsense postings from people who are, simply put, haters! You are 200% CORRECT!!! HE DID ACT STUPIDLY! I totally agree, if I were Obama, there is no way in HELL I would take back my statement. That was NOT a good cop. He must have been due for some "good cop of the month award" or some other junk like that for him to be trying to act like the victim acting like a hero. PUUUUHHH-LEEEEEZZE!!! Give me a break!!! Thanks American Citizen...you're the one who finally said it right!!!!!!

AC you got my vote also.

Mike and AC and Rena, I'm trying to educate you. Why do you care if someone else is a racist? Or if they believe in UFO's or anything else? You talk like children and it affects your life. You focus on what other people think about you. Don't worry about them. I'm going to make this number up to make a point. For every cop that harrasses you and causes you an inconvenience or pisses you off for a while 4 or 5 criminals shoot or steal from you. And if those criminals are black and so are you then your community is robbed and people outside your community suspect you. That's what is in play here. General suspicion of blacks by whites. Its not deserved, certainly, but thats the way humans are. And blacks suspect whites for their own reasons. Also not deserved. And both groups are poorer for it. But honestly, what is it you want white people to do? Not be racist? 100%? 80%? What will it take? I think this Gates with a black mayor, a black governor and a black president is talking past the sale. He has everything MLK asked for and he's still got his ass on his shoulders. What does it take for liberal black America to be satisfied?

Fact: Obama just ignored due process and separation of power by blaming police. Fact: More black people are in jail for criminal activity Fact: Gates is a bitch

All des white fuks think they own this hole world> Stnd up to them. We need to do something . not let them get away with this shit. ya. lets do somding all!!

Don't blame Obama for mis-speaking. He has done this several times. It only shows his naivety and just how the President's words alone can have an impact. He did it with the Nancy Reagan comment and with the Special Olypics comment. I know he didn't say any of it to offend, but he just doesn't understand the weight that his words carry.

Killz whitey, ITS WHAT WE ALL WANT TO DO ANYWAY. TO ALL OF YOU ALL THE TIME SEEERRROUS!

The reason why race relations will never heal is because everyone picking at the scab, all the time. Anyone ever wonder why preschoolers never fight about race? No one has ever told them, you have to hold this resentment over this person, because of this history. How beautiful it is to to be purely ignorant of any past horrific acts, among any of the races. Just to play together with the only expectation is a good time at the play ground. We have to ruin that for them. We let them grow a little older and tell them all the things they wish they never heard. Snatching that little bit of childhood from them. Has anyone ever betrayed you or hurt you in a relationship. Sure. You say we will talk things out and fix this broken relationship. But, one person can't seem to lay that burden down and constantly throws it back in the others face. How does that relationship heal. Sadly, it usually never does. I hope that we can all be preschoolers again some day.

Keep spewing your venom white america; everyone pays in the end. When your white daughter is on her knees looking up to me; I'll think of you...lawl.

Hey Black Power, If you want to do something, start with getting yourself an education and learning to spell. People will take you more seriously when you are not ignorant.

Just heard your editor on TV say that white America just doesn't get it. However, he and Mr. Gates are the ones that "don't get it". This wasn't about race and Gates made it about race. I do totally understand that a black man in America is going to have different views on some things because they have had different life experiences..... Your editor said anyone would be angry that they weren't able to say they had the right to be in their own house because it is theirs. That is true, but any rationale person should be happy that the police want to make "sure" that it is really the homeowner talking when a potential break in has been reported. Instead way too many people are disturbed that they aren't just "believed" when they say its OK. Same thing happens when a store clerk asks for ID when you use a credit card. How many people are offended and get angry....instead they should be happy that the store is protecting them from someone fraudulently using their card..... It's not about race so quit making it about race. If the blacks truly want racism to go away maybe they should take the lead in not using race as a point on issues. I'll concede that there is a lot whites don't understand about being black...but the same goes the other way. Look at the crime rate of Black males and think about that.....there are usually reasons for reactions...even if the reactions are maybe wrong.

I agree with Kish. I understand that Professor Gates was rightfully frustrated, but it is the officer's job to find out who is in the house. What if Professor Gates was married, separated from his wife, and the wife had a restraining order on him? What if when the officer arrived at the house and Professor Gates said, "No worries, I live here" and the officer said, "Okay sir, have a great day!" and then Gates killed his wife. Then everyone would be mad that the officer didn't investigate the matter more. The bottom line is that Officer Crowley responded to a burglary call, Professor Gates should have stepped outside when asked and presented I.D. This matter would have been handled calmly and quickly if that would have happened. I do believe that we have a long way to go as far as racism is concerned, but race was not the issue here.

I really think that the professor is over-reacting. I mean seriously they were doing their job. They responded to a possible break-in. And if he wouldn't have been talking trash and acting irrational he wouldn't have been arrested. It wasn't racial profiling....white people get arrested for talking back to police as well. And Obama's comment.....STUPID. The president should focus on the health care system. Would he have said anything if the black person arrested wasn't a Harvard professor? NO. Get over it.

This has gotten so ridiculous. Can we PLEEZ MOVE ON??????????? CNN, get a life!!!!

Wow, so many people know so little about this, GATES WASN"T ARRESTED FOR BREAKING INTO HIS OWN HOUSE, HE WAS ARRESTED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT! He verbally abused the officer for doing his job by properly investigating a 911 call about a break in. Gates immediately played the race card and verbally abused the officer who was there to protect Gate's property, Gates deserved to be arrested for disorderly conduct, just becuase you're white and cop doesn't mean you are a racist.

Peter Swinson, First of all....you DON'T need to educate me. I'm an intelligent Latina woman who went to school and received a degree so don't insult my intelligence with trivial B.S. that I'm already quite informed about. Secondly, I will reiterate to you what I have said before to MANY others who think like you (or I should say, simply DON'T think): If you're not a minority, have never lived as one or even merely understand what it's like to live in this country and experience racial prejudice, then you have NO means to speak or even have an opinion about something as sensitive as this. Naturally, I wouldn't expect someone as narrow-minded as yourself to understand the deep underlying issues surrounding this because you have NEVER been in a similar situation. By default, you and every other white/Caucasian/whatever you want to call it person gets off easy in this country simply because of that. It has been this way historically in this country and you KNOW that. Let's call if for what it is, whether you want to play the race card or not. I suggest if issues such as this irritate you, that you consider moving to another....ummmmm....planet perhaps?? Because you need to come to terms with reality that this is and has always been the life that we "minorities" (which we are really not anymore, given the statistical data) have had to put up with. I wish just for ONCE that you and so many others would KNOW and FEEL what it's like to be in our shoes. This is why we MUST live life with our defenses up because we have to run into this problem CONSTANTLY... whether we choose to or not.

Do African Americans really feel this way about white people? This is sicking!

Anyone else out there need me to ENLIGHTEN them on this?? Bring it on!!! I've had enough of this and I'm going to speak on it whether you want to hear my mouth or not!!!!!

The president should have kept his mouth shut. With all the other problems we have in this country he was way out of line. As for Mr. GATES it was a no win situation if the cops don't investigate and it was a break in they are not being fair to blacks as far as protecting. So they show up and ask him to step out side which is procedural he gets all bent of out shape. It's time that blacks in this country stop crying racial this or that when things don't go their way. The whole reason we continue to have racial problems is because when things don't go their way they cry Racism. If it had been a white person blacks would have said it was his fault.What if the cop had been black and done things the same way. what would blacks have complainded about then nothing Gates was looking for a reason to complain about how the big bad white man is picking on the black man. Well I'm living proof that there is reverse discrimination. I was lay off and a black man with less seniority was keep. When I complained to EEOC I was told to drop it there are certain things that need to be done to keep the work force racial balanced

I have to say the hate for white people from this community is very very scary.

Alex, we KNOW that!!!! DUH!!!!!! WHy don't you read the rest of the post so you understand what point we are trying to make!!!!

To What!!! Ummmm, honey it's spelled "sickening".... you might want to check on that before you post anything and make yourself look even worse than you already do!!! TYPICAL!!!

Professor Henry Louis Gates vs Police Officer Sgt. James Crowley First of all, let’s think about the events without consideration for the color of anyone’s skin. A police officer responds to a 911 call regarding a neighbor seeing two people spending 15 minutes at the front door of a house before they gained entry, apparently thru forcing the lock. The house in question was recently broken into and this would make the second break in over a relatively short period of time, probably within a week. Upon arriving at the residence, the police officer sees signs that the front door was forced open. He gets the attention of someone inside and asks them to step out onto the porch. The person not only refuses to come outside but takes on an openly hostile, belligerent and uncooperative attitude with the investigating police officer. Refusing to come outside is a big mistake. Fortunately for Prof. Gates, Sgt. Crowley did some level of profiling and judgment for the situation and came to the conclusion that Prof. Gates was probably not a burglar and was not a threat. Under more normal circumstances, the investigating officer should have insisted he come outside of face immediate arrest for disobeying a police officer during a potentially dangerous situation. With two potential burglars inside the residence, the police officer had no way to know whether or not someone armed with a gun might be ready to shoot at him or pull him inside for an ambush. Such things do happen. For all the officer knew, it could have been an armed invasion and two gunmen were inside with their weapons trained on Prof. Gates. Prof. Gates immediately confronted the investigating officer with hostile outrage and began not only yelling at the officer in a provocative and deliberant manner, he was actively uncooperative with the officer. He continued this attitude through out the event. To take such a hostile, belligerent and uncooperative attitude with a police officer is to risk arrest for doing so, regardless of color. Fortunately for Prof. Gates, the investigating officer retained cool judgment of the situation, concluding that Prof. Gates was almost certainly the owner and resident of the house and that no one was inside threatening Prof. Gates. Sgt. But Sgt. Crowley would have been seriously delinquent in his duties if he did not confirm the identity of Prof. Gates as the resident of the house. So he entered Prof. Gates home at Prof. Gates insistence instead of Prof. Gates exiting the home and he allowed Prof. Gates to show him proof of residence. After seeing proof of Prof. Gates residing in the house, Sgt. Crowley tries to end the incident and leave. Even though Prof. Gates has given Sgt. Crowley repeated cause to arrest him, Sgt. Crowley has not done so. The shear fact that Sgt. Crowley did not already arrest Prof. Gates by this time was giving Prof. Gates more leniency than I, a middle aged, middle class white engineer would expect. Had I acted as Prof. Gates under similar circumstances, I would expect to have been arrested much sooner than Prof. Gates was. Sgt. Crowley was in the process of trying to close the event and was leaving without having charged Prof. Gates with the crime he had been committing of verbal abuse and non-cooperation with an officer of the law while in the process of doing their duty. In this respect, Sgt. Crowley showed considerable restraint. But, Prof. Gates continued his verbal tirade directed towards the officer, following him thru the house and outside. After the officer had decided to close the event and was trying to leave, the officer warned Prof. Gates to stop yelling at him at least twice inside the house as he was walking to the door and warned him once again after going outside. Prof. Gates would not stop yelling at Sgt. Crowley. It does not matter what color your skin is, if you start yelling at a police officer and he warns you to stop yelling at him, not once, not twice, but three or more times, EXPECT TO BE ARRESTED. It would highly surprise me if he were not arrested. Consider what happened with an elderly white grandmother who became overly belligerent and non-cooperative with a police officer during a routine traffic stop: www.syracuse.com/today/index.ssf/2009/06/grandmother_tasered_during_rou.html. The office was found to have acted appropriately. You can bet that if I had acted the same, I would have been tasered and arrested too. I don’t care who you are. You don’t yell, act belligerent and be uncooperative with a police officer unless you want to get arrested. That does not mean you let a police officer push you around. You can be respectfully polite with a police officer, cooperate with them but calmly voice any concerns you have and politely but firmly demand an accounting for whatever events transpire. Had Prof. Gates acted in a respectful manner to Sgt. Crowley, he would not have been arrested. Can you imagine what would have happened had Sgt. Crowley investigated and when confronted with an elderly gentlemen he did not know that he took the person’s word without proof and left, but then it turned out that elderly person was really a burglar? Nothing says a burglar can’t be elderly, be dressed well or be good at acting as if they are the owner of the house they are robbing. How about the even worse scenario of a house invasion? Can you imagine what would have happened had two unidentified men with guns had broken into the house and were forcing Prof. Gates to get rid of the investigating police officer under the threat of being shot to death? Sgt. Crowley had to investigate as he did in order to perform his duty to protect the resident of the house, regardless of the color of their skin and Prof. Gates, instead of being grateful that Sgt. Crowley was potentially risking his life to protect Prof. Gates property and self, Prof. Gates actively hindered Sgt. Crowley while being exceeding rude, belligerent and verbally abusive. Prof. Gates owes Sgt. Crowley an apology.

This is my first time at this page. Im here via CNNs page. This is disgusting! Is this your bash whitey page or something?

Rena, Give me an example of how being a minority is different from my experience. And be specific. Tell me something you have to deal with that I don't

Open American Welcome to the club!!! Doesn't feel so good does it?!! Imagine, we are justified for expressing how we feel...you're NOT!! Maybe now you'll learn what this is all about and learn what we have had to deal with ALL of our lives!!!

What is my ethnic background then Rena?

I have said this over and over, if the media would have watched Bush and Cheney the way they are watching and disecting every word President Obama says then 911 would not have happened, Wall street would not have happened, and the list goes on and on........ Obama was right, the fact that the cop actually took racial profiling classes and was trained to be a cop really puzzles me.... The cop should have known better and knew that arresting him would not be the right thing to do. ARRESTING GATES WAS THE COP ABUSING HIS POWER AND FOR WHAT? A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS DOLLARS AS WELL. THE INK, THE PHOTO, THE TIME, THE PEOPLE IN CAMBRIDGE OUGHT TO BE MAD AT THE MONEY AND TIME SPENT. PEOPLE AND COPS FORGET THAT THEY WORK FOR US THE PEOPLE..... OBAMA IS HIS BOSS AND IT IS HIS JOB TO TELL HIM THAT THE ARREST WAS STUPID AND UNWARRENTED.

The power of words is they pack more power than their punch and you've got to digest the words in small bites. The smaller the bite the more power the punch. Words don't get any smaller than "Stupid." Obama's mistake is he did this on Thursday and the weekend news cycle. Headline reads: "Pres Obama Calls Cops Stupid." Chew on that to understand why this couldn't stand. Dr. Gates is not innocent here. He decided to borrow from the film "Do the Right Thing." He is Spike Lee throwing a trash can through the wrong window. He got caught and he is too proud and too powerful to admit that he may be in error. Pride goeth before the fall. Obama just slipped, but can we help him recover by making Dr. Gates shut up and apologize? Yo Mama is fighting words.

The power of words is they pack more power than their punch and you've got to digest the words in small bites. The smaller the bite the more power the punch. Words don't get any smaller than "Stupid." Obama's mistake is he did this on Thursday and the weekend news cycle. Headline reads: "Pres Obama Calls Cops Stupid." Chew on that to understand why this couldn't stand. Dr. Gates is not innocent here. He decided to borrow from the film "Do the Right Thing." He is Spike Lee throwing a trash can through the wrong window. He got caught and he is too proud and too powerful to admit that he may be in error. Pride goeth before the fall. Obama just slipped, but can we help him recover by making Dr. Gates shut up and apologize? Yo Mama is fighting words.

It appears “the shoe is on the other foot now and that shoe is a little too tight” thus causing a great deal of pain and discomfort. It amazes me that some people do not believe law enforcement is capable of racism. Let’s take a few examples for instance: - Rodney King (no need to explain) - In Houston, TX, a few months ago, an AA NFL player was shot in his own driveway by white officers. This player and his family lived in a very affluent neighborhood and were only 1 of a handful of prominent AA’s that lived in that neighborhood. Law enforcement knew this family because they were involved in that community. Unfortunately, he “fit the description” of someone who supposedly had stolen the vehicle he was driving. Law enforcement shot him, threw his mother to the ground, and then stated afterwards, “We must have typed in his license plate wrong.” - Texas again. A few months ago, another NFL player was on his way to the hospital to see his dying mother-in-law. Law enforcement detained and harassed him while his mother-in-law died. Result, officer lost job. - Oklahoma. Paramedic harassed, physically manhandled, and verbally abused by law enforcement. Result, just today he was suspended without pay for 5 days. - Carthage, Texas, minorities targeted by law enforcement were pulled over and threatened with incarceration and removal of their children by CPS if they did not hand over all cash and jewelry in their possession. These are just a few cases. Now the other side is beginning to see how it feels when the spotlight is on them. It is a fact that more minorities are tasered, unlawfully arrested, detained, and jailed. Do not believe the hype that more minorities commit crimes. They are just prosecuted more fully. Contrary to belief, minorities do not receive the greater share of welfare benefits either. The problem is that a good portion of the majority always wants to state “minorities sure enjoy playing the race card” when those members of the majority have no idea what they are talking about. Those persons have never been a person of color; they have never walked in a person of color’s shoes. Those persons have never been called the most despicable names imaginable that are so hateful to another race. These are the same people that think just because Obama was elected, that should make everything right. These are the same people that state “all of that slavery stuff happened a long time ago, just get over it” These are the same people that honestly believe that minorities just want “reparations and a handout.” these are the same people that cannot believe that minorities do not want what these people have. These same people think blacks are poor and uneducated. The problem is, a good portion of the black community are highly educated and have more wealth than these same people ever could. That is what burns the biscuits of these types of people the most. The Native Americans have an old saying about these types of people “white man speaks with forked tongue.” It is no surprise all of the hatred and vitriol against this esteemed Harvard professor. Just because a person is a member of the minority class, does not mean that person has to “yassa boss” to ANY member of law enforcement. The Courts have ruled that yelling and belligerence to law enforcement does not denote cause for arrest. What you are not hearing is the fact that this professor asked the law enforcement officer for his badge ID and name but the officer refused to provide it to him. If this officer was in the right, he would have had no problem providing this information. What happened was “this uppity n wants to get smart with me, so I will arrest him.” Guess what, that uppity n will get paid now and this officer will quietly get reassigned and eventually loose his job. Oh well, he brought it on himself. Did I mention that the black professor will get paid, go on speaking tours, have book deals and have even more prominence than he already has? If the professor was wrong, the charges would stand. Period. End of story. The President had every right to comment on this matter. This professor was a good friend of his. There is not one person on this blog who would not defend a close friend of theirs. If you would not, obviously that person is not a close friend of yours. The President can comment because more than likely, he has experienced something similar. What some people can’t understand is that when people like the President see something wrong happen and they can relate to it, more than likely it really did happen. You hear a lot of people screaming that the President should not bring this to the national spotlight. On the contrary, he needs to. People do not understand how much racism existed in this country until Obama was elected. That’s when the entire group of closet racist came out and let their voices be heard. Racism is something that cannot be swept under the rug and forgotten. It has to be dealt with before people can move on. What is unfortunate is the fact that Obama backtracked. There is no way on earth I would have. Even if my statement cost me millions of votes, I would have stood by it. Obama was actually very polite. There is no way I would have been. I have lost a great deal of respect for the President. Even if you are wrong, you accept the consequences of your actions and “man up.” It is not surprising the officer's minority teammates are standing with him. There is a code that you do not break if you are in law enforcement "don't rat out your fellow teammates." No minority in his right mind would step out and do so. If they valued their career and livelihood, they would march in lock step no matter how wrong their teammates were. There is no possible way this officer was a good cop. If he were truly a good cop, he would have never let the situation escalate like it did. And this officer teaches diversity training? I guess the old saying is true, "those that can't do teach." Lastly, it is just hilarious to hear some people say we need to leave racism in the past. That cannot happen because racism never left the present. Do these same people think James Byrd happened 100 years ago? What about the fact that the Black Panther Party, NAACP, the KKK, Aryan Nation, and Skinheads are about to go to war right now in Paris, Texas because another black man was dragged to death behind a vehicle 70 yards last year? Just a few years ago in Arkansas, a black man was found hanging from a tree. Do these same people think minorities will continue to allow these incidents to happen without uttering a word? Yet these same people cry out “Thank God” when the white firefighters won their discrimination case before the Supreme Court but curse the ground when any minority speaks out about racism. All you hear from these people is that “I am so sick and tired of these people playing the race card.” Yet these same people play the race card when they scream out “reverse discrimination.” Go figure. Hypocrites. That shoe is really tight isn’t it?

Peter Swinson Oh please!!!! Make a list honey!!! That's a ludicrous question and quite laughable. Perhaps you need to re-educate yourself in the history of this country and all the events that have occurred. It is not the "what" of what I have to deal with, it's the "how" of it. If you don't know that by now, you have some serious issues. Additionally, I don't need to answer to you for ANYTHING to appease your ignorance. You're a big somewhat "educated" boy.....handle it.

Never Back Down - THANK TO YOU AS WELL! Another smart one on this post. Apparently there are only 3 of us ONLY commenting on here that actually GET IT!!!!

Cecil Jones You need to get your facts straight honey...apparently like many others. He didn't say that. If you didn't watch Obama's conference on Wed. evening his exact words were "the Cambridge police acted stupidly"....he didn't say the cop was stupid. Big difference. Conveniently, you and many other haters are switching his words around to make an excuse to hate Obama even more at this time. It's so obvious and it doesn't take a genius to figure that out! The fact is they DID act STUPID! In fact, Obama was too kind! It's about time cops stopped being treated and looked at as if they were gods......they're NOT and they probably make more mistakes than the President himself!!! Wake up, grow up and get your facts straight before you stick your foot in your mouth.

Rena, you are more than welcome. You can tell when the truth hurts and we know people cannot handle the truth.

ya

I love white mean....mmmmmm

American Citizen ... your first sentence showed your ignorance. The Prof. was not arrested for trying to break into his own home. Get your facts straight. Secondly, were you there to observe the incident to give a report on who fudged what story? No, I guess not. So who knows if you are right there. my guess is that again you are not correct. I just love how people place the blame on the neighbor who alerted police. Maybe next time people should just stick to their own business and not notify police if they observe what appeared to an unknowing person to be a burglary? Or maybe the neighbor should take matters into her own hand and investigate? Maybe she should just do nothing. But would she have still been a racist if she did not report it and it turned out to be a burglary? And how is she a racist for reporting what she saw? Someone said its her fault for not knowing her neighbors. Maybe she does, maybe she doesnt, who knows. But as everyone comments about "this wasnt breaking the law," is not knowing your neighbors a crime? Incidents like this, I would stay away from my neighbors. She saw what appeared by all accounts something that an unknowing person would say is a burglary. She reported it to the police. The policeman was not waiting for Gates to come home hoping he would bust his door so he could harrass him. The officer was dispatched. He gets to the scene of what fits the call. Attempts to investigate. Sure he may have handled it differently well into the investigation but the good Prof. could have been more becoming of his Ivy League station in life and been polite - rather than racially profiling the officer. But AC, good critique of law enforcement tactics. Now, why dont you sign up so you can respond to reported burglaries, dont use tactics, just walk in there to 'diffuse', and see how safe that is for you.

Liz, you need to ask CNN is this your bash Blacks year.. They follow Obama like he is a Black man shopping at Tiffany's Lets not talk about the MJ and his family bashing. Its funny how Blacks get bashed, mistreated, misunderstood, etcc........... Yet when we speak up about it then we are accused as bashing and racist. Peter, You must think that Rena is crazy. Please don't expect the answer to that question to be given in this space. Go to the library and research it??? You just proved our point by asking Rena such a question???? YOU GUYS POURED THE WATER NOT DRINK IT.

The worst part is not even MENTIONED: that is that after saying the police officer acted stupidly. 1. He said "we'd all be pretty angry". Actually, a lot of us would probably be grateful that we live in such a wonderful country with such a competent police force. We'd show our ID without being disorderly and that would be the end. 2. He took the moment to biasedly present his personal views on the inequality of arrests of Blacks and Hispanics without incorporating any statistics or facts about underlying reasons: gang, drug, same race violence, men leaving their woman and babies etc... there are many problems that lead to arrests and indeed it is rare that someone is undually arrested. This may very well be a catalyst for a dormant valcano of racial tensions- specifically towards the police. In this particular case, I would bet, based on the volume of witnesses and the police report, Mr. Gates refused to heed the warnings that he was beng disorderly and the officer felt threatened(Mr. Gates could have pulled a gun for all the officer knew) Even at the appearance of handcuffs, he refused to comply. Based on the police report,it appears he had every chance in the world to comply.

Prof. Gates needs to go back to teaching and the President should focus on how he is going to pay for his expansion of federal government on a level never before seen. Prof Gates is the type of black man who can't wait to waive his race card. As a black man I am disgusted by that. I'm sure Sharpton is in a car on his way up to MA as we write to continue to fuel this event. When a police officer responds to a home invasion he should be using caution. Even if the home owner identifies themself, how does the officer know that he isn't being coerced by intruders still in the home or his family being held hostage in the home? Everyone calm down, the police did their job properly and remember that the next time they come to your aid.

That other Rena is not me. I do like white mean but I wouldn't post something like that. I do want to say to everyone that I'm very very sorry. Im latin so I get a bit hot headed and being a woman I have a problem controlling my feelings. Please forgive me all for being such a dumb bitch.

Peter Swinson why don't you just call blacks your favorite word that starts with a "N," as you are not trying to 'educate' anyone, just the same old racist tripe white folks always spew, and, that Cecil 'I gots a white woman' Jones, as well as he's more vapid than you are, boring and lame, at least be a man and admit you are racist and not try and I might add badly play with words, we get it you hate blacks and like most whites wish the cop would have gave this old crippled man a major beat down.

Petter. I'm sorry also

I was reading some more of these comments and I am amazed at how much people blame white people for racism. Let me paint you a picture. I went to a predominatly white university. My roommate was black. My roommate had a scholarship for a full four years. One night she came home late (because she worked in the evenings)and she was crying. I wasn't quite asleep and I overheard her make a phone call. She was crying because she was talking to some people at dinner (other black students) and many of them made fun of her and gave her a hard time because she worked her butt off in high school- student council, swim team, worked, made good grades- all so she could get that scholarship. She asked the person on the other line, "How can we overcome racism when our own people are racist?" Let me paint you another picture. I was having a talk about race with a young black woman that I worked with and I asked her about Condoleezza Rice and she said that she wasn't considered black- the reason- because she was successful. It's not just white people that are racist. Again, I agree that race is a problem. I do believe that police look at minorities more when it comes to crime. They are going by statistics. I also understand that the minority population, esp. the black population started in the U.S. with a disadvantage and this contributed to a cycle of crime, esp. in the inner city, and this helped create the stastics. How about we listen to President Obama and the wonderful Bill Cosby and break the cycle? Instead of putting people down for getting an education and being successful (in something other than sports and music)- we praise them for being doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.

never back down just to set the record straight on 'racist cops' rodney king was high as hell , speeding , and physically assaulted numerous police officers, did they use excessive force, yes, but once again in the gates and king case you put yourselves in these situations and then cry victim when law enforcemnet, who are human beings by the way, overreact, don't act like animals and u won't get treated like one.....the nfl player who got pulled over on the way to the hospital to see his dying mother in law, ran straight through a red light,the stop was totally justified, what if he hit a car with your family in it while runing that light? always the victim, take some fucking respobsibility for yourself..............and by the way if u want respect from mainstream whites who you think are racist tell all black rappers to stop calling each other nigger,tell all inner city black kids to stop calling each other nigger, have some self respect and you'll get respect

MIKE DID U SAY 'WHITE FOLKS' ARE RACIST,lmao , nobody gonna listen to someone complainging about racism who makes generlazations about an entire race of people, lol 'white folks'. racist nigger

DeAnna you are so right! If black people want to know why white people think the way they think and stereotype, watch a rap video, listen to a bunch of black high schooler's talking and using the N-word in every single sentence and look at black movies produced by black people and the stereotypes they play up. If blacks want people looking past the skin tone, then quite frankly grow-up, stop whining and get on with living life. I like to think I'm as accomplished as I am because of my intelligence and drive, not b/c I'm black and "got a leg up" for being so.

DeAnna, This blog is not about Black against Black racism. Please understand and read the MEMO, this is about WP not Understanding that Police act differently with BP. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS, YES Black Police are racist towards BP as well???

DeAnna, wait a minute. Black students at a predominately white university were ridiculing how another black student earned her scholarship? College students criticizing college students?

A young black woman stated her belief that Condoleeza was not considered black because she is successful? Was she over the age of 3?

Sorry dear, your story sounds as made up as the idea that Obama is a native of Kenya.

once again a massive generalization, drummergirl, police are racist towards blacks? is the black cop who has a wife and 3 kids at home and is a good responsible father racist towards blacks?

all of them? so u want us to listen to your points against racism while you lump an entire group of people together when they are OBVIOSULY all individuals with individual minds, thoughts, etc....how old are u? ignorance is bliss, enjoy life

DeAnne, never in the history of African American society has one class of black students heckled, made fun of or ridiculed another, more educated class of African Americans, for doing better in school. Pssssss, please girl. Get REAL

Bye the way. I'm a proud gay African American :)

Malcom, This is not a blog about such issues. The point of the matter is, as a BW that I have done all of the right things in my life. MBA, pay taxes, Put God first, etc... Yet I have had police pull guns on me, the FBI stop me as I boarded a plane for drug such, all of which case was WRONG. Am I just suppose to forget, NO!!!! These things affect me mentally. The cop knew what he was doing when he arrested Gates, and believe me you it was not out of fear nor concern for his safety. It was the cop arresting him to simply humiliate him, and that Malcom is not what the cop is paid, nor takes an oath to do.

Of course the copes have never arrested a white person by accident. Of course the only reason I was stopped by the FBI was because I was black. Get it! This NEVER happens to another race in this country. Only BLACKS!!!

Er uhm, there are 10's of 1000's ways to come up with a handle. MidwestGuy should not be one of those. In fact, it lacks the intelligence God gave an emu.

Please use another screen name.

JVS, Please do your research and you will see that this is not generalization it is an serious issue just as the Healthcare is. What rug do you live under?????? Its obvious you need to educate yourself,and grow up. I AM OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT THERE IS STILL RACISM IN THIS COUNTRY WHETHER GENERALIZED OR NOT!!

To the blogger who posted as me drummergirl @17:20pm It is sad and cowardly when one signs in as me and speaks for me, just to throw a monkey rench into this blog. Reminds me of the KKK????? Can't reveal themselves????

Will all the non-African Heritage Community members please return to your own websites and spill your nonsense. We understand the world marvels at Blacks and Black culture; but, we'd like to have this forum to ourselves. I'm sure the rock or swamp you came from can use your return. Frankly, we won't miss you.

MidewestGuy you're wrong. CNN has a series called Black in America that they have been running. And they interviewed an African immigrant and his experiences here in the states. And he clearly stated that in his school he felt shunned by blacks. They mocked his accent, made fun of him for making honor-roll and having top grades, they mocked the way he dressed. And when he was seen talking with some white students, one black student came up and asked him essentially why he thought he was better than them. The guy was shocked to say the least that he would be treated that way. So yes, blacks will heckle blacks. Secretary Powell, Secretary Rice, Bryant Gumble- all considered "not black enough" by many blacks, so please don't try to gloss over the issue. And drummergirl, they arrested him b/c he was acting like a fool for disorderly conduct and shouting comments not needed at all.

And drummergirl you state- Get it! This NEVER happens to another race in this country. Only BLACKS!!! You think blacks are the only ones with issues? You don't think Hispanics have it hard? Native-Americans? Bi-racial people? Every group in the history of mankind has been discriminated against, killed, marginalized and used. It's not a monopoly blacks can claim.

The beast system walks about as a roaring lion...

Hopefully all sides of the original incident have learned the lesson.

Be truly wise, tell the truth, because as James Baldwin wrote, it's "the fire next time" and non (innocent or guilty) shall escape.

Police officers' job is to protect. To impersonally represenet the uniform. The uniform of a cop represents athority and demands total cooperation. If a cop lowers the bar for one individual than he is lowering the bar for the uniform. Uncooperative and disorderly conduct can quickly escalate to the barrel of a gun. An elderly man with a cane is statistically no exception. The enfocrcment of cooperation allows for the best protection of all involved. Also, it appears in this case that Mr. Gates was so busy yelling and being uncooperative that he wouldn't let Sgt. Crowley view the house to make sure noone else had broken in since the witness said two men broke in and only one was present(he had not gotten the story of Mr. Gates' break in from Mr. Gates.) Therefore he officer was potentially protecting Mr. Gates - which is electrifying when you consider Mr. Gates' house had been broken into before, according to Mr. Gates himself. Yes,"Never back down" there is racism, yes there are evil people of which a fraction of a percentage are cops. I encourage you to do the research: compare our country to others! Like Jaleesha says: there are many factors that go into crime statistics. Think about that when you listen to white or black rap and hear all that glorified violence. Like De Anna says: those of us Blacks that rise above the fray are often critisized by our brothers and sisters as being an oreo etc... I'm sure it doesn't help that people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton make an excelent living by promoting racial tensions and Black victimhood. My greatgrandfather Rvd. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been very sad to see this! Ps. If life was perfect we wouldn't need god. Or for Atheists and Philosophers: the darkness illuminates the light. My fellow Americans: Each generation we become more color blind and united as brothers and sisters regardless of our backgrounds. May we each be the first to extend our hand in friendship and forgiveness and exemplify the golden rule, to be a good example of that which we wish to see in the world.

TKing wrote: "...demands total cooperation". "TOTAL cooperation"?

Where does civil disobedience come in?

Is this not the reason why racism exists ? If you can't get your way, claim racism !!! If we eradicated the entire "White" race would we live in peace ?

Whomever where posting as 'drummergirl', 'rena' and 'never back down' and painting a very one sided picture: I am a very proud American and very pround to be Black. My ancestors were enslaved by fellow Africans and shipped to America. I am proud that my counrtry is one of the first to abolish slavery and I am proud to be part of the party of my Hero Dr. King, the Republican Party, which fought to abolish slavery. I have been raised by parents with a Booker T. Washington/ MLK Jr. like outlook and have met other Blacks with the same outlook. We experience A LOT less racism than those we that call us oreos and take the Dubois/Sharpton approach. There are many people of all races that are arrested for beng disorderly. The difference is that the Dubois/Sharpton philosophy is to publically emphasize these cases by the Democratic Party- biased Media in order to ensure dependency on gov't programs which buys and ensures the votes of those who are dependent. Can we say..conflict of interest???

M: Learn about Dr. King. Civil disobedience happens nowadays when on the rarest of occasions when despite total cooperation a cop swings a baton at you or tries to rape you. However, I don't see evidence of this being a case of civil disobedience. As with anything in life there are no guarentees and no perfection. On oneside of the stick, we have a highly trained and armed police force to protect us and on the other, a tiny percentage of this force will use that same power to commit crimes. However, evidence suggests, especially in America, that 99.98% of that stick is good.

Tell it like it is Malcom, these wanna be white no matter what posters really need a clue, although I do feel Gates was the wrong person to be made a martyr of since he does not and has not had any dealings with real blacks in years and was 'shocked' to know this happens? Please, any real black man knows, don't mess with the popo, and, if you do you put your life on the line.

PLEASE CHECK THE LAWS OF BOSTON, MA GATES ACTIONS DID NOT WARRANT AN ARREST THE LAW CLEARLY STATES THAT YOU CAN NOT ARREST SOMEONE FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT THIS OFFICER KNEW THAT AND THAT IS WHY THE CHARGES WERE DROPPED. PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHY THE PRESIDENT SAID WHAT HE SAID THE ARREST WAS ACTING STUPIDLY!!!!!

PLEASE CHECK THE LAWS OF BOSTON, MA GATES ACTIONS DID NOT WARRANT AN ARREST THE LAW CLEARLY STATES THAT YOU CAN NOT ARREST SOMEONE FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT THIS OFFICER KNEW THAT AND THAT IS WHY THE CHARGES WERE DROPPED. PLEASE UNDERSTAND WHY THE PRESIDENT SAID WHAT HE SAID THE ARREST WAS ACTING STUPIDLY!!!!!

Jerrell, Its apparent you don't believe in change??? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!! Read your Bible, and your History books and you will see how change comes about in History regardless of race!!!!! Something happens that gets a different reaction. Rosa Parks wasn't the first not to get up but the plan they set forth worked that time because they worked the plan, and didn't just say she should have just gave up her seat?????

Drummergirl the bible is a book of man made fantasy, sorry, not my sort of reading but to those who want to think its real, knock yourself out. But, then again, those who do usually say there is no such thing as racism in the name of the Lord and white folks are good people just trying to help you coloreds see the pearly "white" gates, LOL! Gates was a loud mouth trying to be tough with a white cop with a gun, how foolish is that? And found out later he was still black depsite his white wife and white life in the good old USA and didn't know how to deal with being treated the same as Tyrone on the corner in Roxbury.

I wonder how many White people would be supporting the police here if the officer was Black and arrested a White professor, like Doris Kearns Goodwin. Imagine the outrage of White America if a Black policeman barged into her home, disrespected her, pulled out his handcuffs, refused to give his name and then arrested her for disorderly conduct on her front porch. Imagine that. Now you know how Black Americans feel about the arrest of Dr. Gates in his home by this stupid officer.

TKing, the point is that in the case we're discussing, the officer was wrong and Gates was correct to protest. The arrest was an **illegal** arrest in this case.

The law does not allow for the protector to go overboard. That's what Bush/Cheney were about.

To those that Claim to be listing facts here three of them are omitted. First Gates was irate and arrested AFTER he had positively established that he was the owner of the house.. Both parties agree on this fact. And unless you've had to prove that you own your own house like Gates, myself and countless others have then don't act like you can understand or relate cause you can't. Second. Disorderly Conduct almost always involves disruptive action IN PUBLIC. Almost never in ones own house that is not a domestic dispute. This cops actions say in effect that if you decide to break some of your own dished in your own house that you paid for then you can be arrested. All of us know that is nonsense. Finally. The President said that it was the officers actions that were stupid, period. And anyone that agrees one fact #2 above by definition must also agree that the cop arresting Gate's for disorderly conduct was also stupid. Focus on the facts people. Gates, Crowley, and distantly Obama are the only facts in this case.

The officer refused to give his name and badge number. That's grounds for a lawsuit!

Lets see,Gates arrested at his home,Kids kicked out of pool in philly, Michael Jackson Vs. Farah Fawscett,her whole family on drugs,police don't go to her house, no information relaesed about content of drugs in farahs' system. Are white men around the country reporting being stopped and harrassed by police?No. cause they are not being profiled properly thats one major reason why drugs are being used increasingly by them and everyone else. Profiling is not occurring as it should,if so we'd have a drug free America.

We all know the deal with this - whether some want to admit it or not.... BUT PRES OBAMA HAD BETTER NOT APOLOGIZE - TO ANYONE FOR COMMENTS HE MADE! Crowley want apologize - Nixon lied - Bush robbed us ......please give me a break!

until black realize this is a house negro vs. a field negro debate, we will never get over it it's so litereal i could never write it better. they get to go have beers and Gates get a PBS episode while it still keep happenign to the regular black person. it's so alarming, i can't stand it. i'm so upset about all of it. Healthcare my black existence, this is a differnt agenda. This is so about class. Gates has gotten his next agenda, Obama has thrown police profiling under the bus, and all black people are thinking, hey it's over. I wish the tens of times it has happened to me, i got an invite to the white house. I am so sick about Gate, i can't control my issue. He should have charges filed against him. He is such an oppurtinistic, it's criminal.

I like sports, like special shoes.