Two weeks ago, Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested for allegedly being loud and tumultuous at his home. The charges were dropped a couple of days later.
His arrest sparked a discussion about race in America because Gates called the officer racist while he was being arrested.
The arrest has been in the news just about every day since July 16, when the incident happened, because President Barack Obama, who is friends with Gates, said publicly that the officer, Sgt. James Crowley, acted "stupidly" in arresting Gates. Obama later cleaned up his remarks saying that both Gates and Crowley overreacted. Going one step further, the president suggested that he, Gates and Crowley have a beer at the White House.
That meeting over beer took place yesterday.
While the comments made during the meeting have been kept private, Gates said the talk was "cordial and productive." He and the sergeant plan to meet again.
While I hate that Gates was arrested, I hope something positive can spawn from the incident. Americans need to be talking about race. I will not call Crowley, who leads workshops to reduce racial profiling, racist, but there are still racists in America and the world. Just because there is a black man in the White House, doesn't mean racism isn't still perpetuated every day.
And here are two examples: Earlier this week, Boston Police Officer Justin Barrett was suspended from the force for writing a racially-charged email about Gates, referring to him as a "jungle monkey." And the Manhattan Borough President's Press Secretary Lee Landor was forced to step down two days ago after posting on her Facebook page that Gates is "racist," referring to Obama as "O-dumb-a" and saying that racial profiling exists for a good reason.
And these were the just the incidents by public officials - just think of what happens with private citizens.
We need to take every opportunity to discuss race, to celebrate diversity and work to understand our differences. Use this teachable moment for something good.
1 comment:
Unfortunately, I think this entire incident will only worsen race relations. There are still lots of folks out there that feel that black folks should "get over it" and that we are being too sensitive. Its ridiculous. I find it laughable when another race tells me what I need to get over and how I should feel.
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