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Harvard professor's arrest sparks US race row
Denise Lavoire, AP24 Jul 2009
Henry Louis Gates Jr wants an apology from the police
A white policeman accused of racism after he arrested a prominent black scholar was chosen by a black police commissioner to teach recruits about racial stereotyping.
Henry Louis Gates Jr accused Sgt James Crowley of being a "race-baiting authoritarian" after he arrested Mr Gates when a neighbour in Cambridge, Massachusetts, called police about a burglary.
Sgt Crowley says Mr Gates was offensive, especially about his mother. Friends and fellow officers, black and white, said Sgt Crowley was a principled police officer and family man. "If people are looking for a guy who's abusive or arrogant, they got the wrong guy," said Andy Meyer. "This is not a racist, rogue cop. This is a fine, upstanding man."
The case has highlighted the issue of racism in America's police and reached the level of national debate when President Barack Obama said police "acted stupidly" when they arrested Mr Gates, a Harvard professor.
But last night he said: "I have to say I am surprised by the controversy surrounding my statement because I think it was a pretty straightforward comment that you probably don't need to handcuff a guy, a middle-aged man who uses a cane, who's in his own home."
Police were quick to defend themselves. "The president's alienated public safety officers across the country," said David Holway, of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers.
But a leading black officer backed Mr Obama. "It's appropriate that the leader of this country should recognise there are still issues in this country in regards to race," said Lieutenant Charles Wilson, of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers.
Reader views (13)
Every country deals with race differently. The two biggest mistakes in American history once one gets beyond slavery: (1) forced integration by court rulings; you can’t force people to want to associate with, get along, or respect you; and (2) affirmative action; no matter how one looks at it, it smacks of unfairness and does not make people respect you. What we have today is simply the long-term ramification of bad racial policies.
- Reggie Greene / The Logistician, Greensboro, North Carolina USA, 07/08/2009 22:43
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Amir, London - Racism was NOT invented by caucasians - it has been around since differing tribes of wandering, nomadic early man started finding things to argue about - and ALL races definitively came from Africa, remember.
As for the likes of me 'reaping what I sow'? I wasn't around in the (very small) segment of time in the history of the human race that you are apparently selectively referencing. So I haven't 'sown' anything. Inflammatory comments like yours are designed to incite racial conflict, not explain and resolve it.
- Rogan, Irving, 24/07/2009 19:09
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@ Nolan, Londonist
Reality is boring.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 24/07/2009 17:06
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Proof that the American Civil War was based on a lie and the United States are still hypocrites today and can anyone tell me where on this planet is there no racism please ?
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 24/07/2009 16:22
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let's not forget who invented Racism...
you reap what you sow!
- Amir, London, 24/07/2009 16:03
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Frank - just because there are plenty of boring people, that doesn't make what they have to say any more interesting.
- Nolan, Londonist, 24/07/2009 15:59
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Nolan, Londonist - do you think ridicule of reality is going to change it from fact to non-existent? What he said was both factual and actual.
The man in question STATED it was his own home, producing the requested ID only AFTER being confrontational. The officer had just cause to believe that there may have been a break in - because that is what the home owner had done. The officer was called to the house because of this - his JOB is to make sure. Middle aged and with a stick? Look at the pictures - the man wasn't walking with a stick or being propped up when he was handcuffed (standard operating procedure with suspects or potentially violent people, young or old - and this guy was being confrontational from word go). Never heard of middle aged or even elderly crooks? Yeah, right!
The president assumed the police officer was lying because his acknowledged friend said so. In assuming it was a race issue, as the president did, he made it a race issue AGAINST the officer. It is stupidity like this that perpetuates racism. It certainly doesn't bring it any closer to eradication.
- Rogan, Irving, 24/07/2009 15:16
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@ Nolan, Londonist (At least I do not change my name each post)
Plenty of people hold the same views as I, fact.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 24/07/2009 15:12
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It is standard procedure for ethnic minorities to play the race card when involved with the police. It improves the chances of some nice compensation afterwards, once the smart-arse lawyers have had their say.
- Charlie Jordan, London, England, 24/07/2009 13:40
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Does Frank have nothing better to do than sit in front of a PC in the internet cafe making as many snide remarks about race every single day!!
- Paul, London, 24/07/2009 13:39
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Funny how Frank feels the need to bang on about his little pet peeve on a daily basis. Perhaps you think if you say it often enough someone else is going to listen? Think again!
- Nolan, Londonist, 24/07/2009 12:47
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Obama stated, he did not know the facts, just opened mouth and insert foot, like he has done his whole time in office so far. His plan seems to be to Rule the World, and BTW, HE IS NOT BLACK!!! He is as much White as he is Black.
- D. Filak, Bisbee, Az, USA, 24/07/2009 12:34
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I wonder if Obama knew the full facts when making such a crass statement? Handcuffing suspects is standard procedure, it protects officers and secures the situation.
Funny how racism can be enacted by white people only.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 24/07/2009 12:11
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