Other Than That, Professor Gates, How Was Your Trip?
by Joseph C. PhillipsUpon his return from an overseas trip Henry Louis Gates and his driver were attempting to open the front door, which was jammed shut. A passer-by noticed the men forcing the door open and phoned the police. By the time Sergeant James Crowley, the responding police officer, arrived Gates was inside his home. Crowley asked Gates to step out of his home and show some identification, which according to Crowley, the professor produced only after accusing the police of hassling him because he is a “Black man living in America” and saying something about Crowley’s mamma. The situation continued to escalate until finally Gates was arrested for creating a public disturbance.
Unfortunately, rather than using this incident as an opportunity to have an honest and substantive conversation about stereotypes and race, racialists of every stripe have high-jacked the discussion in order to continue a one-sided discussion focusing on Black victim-hood. One such racialist is our post-racial President Barack Obama.
During his Wednesday evening press conference the President claimed that Gates was the victim of racial profiling and that the Cambridge Police “acted stupidly” in arresting Gates for breaking into his own home. Alas, the president was tall on rhetoric, but short on facts, which was surprising (or perhaps not) given that the conference questions were pre-approved and he knew to expect it. Contrary to the President’s assertion- Gates was not profiled. The police were responding to a report of a possible break-in at Gates home. Nor was Gates arrested for breaking into his own home. He was arrested for disorderly conduct.
And lest anyone assume I am deaf to Gates complaint- make no mistake, I have walked in his shoes and understand his outrage completely.
At the time I was living in West Orange, New Jersey, a quiet, middle class community west of Newark. I was walking about two or three blocks from my home one morning when I was stopped by a white police officer. He informed me that there had been a report of an attempted break in and that the description was that of a woman and a well-dressed Black man. I thought it odd that he stopped me in that I was by myself and wearing a raggedy sweater and a pair of shorts. The officer then asked if I had any identification. I did not. I was walking in my own neighborhood! Further this same officer had answered a call at my home when my home security system had gone off not one week prior. It burned me up that he didn’t recognize me.
Clearly, I was being hassled because I was a Black man living in America. How else to explain my inability to walk through my own neighborhood without being questioned? Other patrol cars soon arrived. I continued to protest; my voice rising. As the situation escalated one of the other officers threatened to arrest me for disorderly conduct, which of course only increased my outrage. Just when things were going to get really ugly something happened; it could have only been the hand of God slapping me in the head. I shut my mouth. I bit my tongue till it bled. The officers let me go. I poked out my lips and stalked off home, cursing the concrete beneath my feet.
Two weeks later I was driving down the street in my fancy sports car (those were the days) and who should pull up alongside me at the red light? The same officer. He did a double take and commented, “Nice car.”
“Oh you recognize me now?” I replied.
He smiled and asked if I wanted to talk. We pulled into a parking lot and had a friendly conversation. He understood my anger, he said, but asked me to understand that he was simply doing his job and could never remember every person he encountered on the job in a town of more than 50K people.
Fair enough. However, as a Black man I want him to understand that I am/was, (like Gates), conditioned to suspect such interactions with the police as being motivated by latent or overt racism. Would the cop have recognized my white neighbor? Would a neighbor have called the Cambridge police if two white men were forcing the door to a home open? I have no idea. And it is only wise for Police departments and the officers that man them to recognize that the history of this country places serious doubt in the minds of most black folks.
That said every interaction with the police is not tinted with racism and Black folk are just as guilty of stereotyping white cops as is true in the reverse. Moreover, we are often guilty of appeals to being victims of profiling when it is clear the police had legitimate reasons for detaining us or asking us questions. Like Gates I was stopped because there had been a legitimate report made to the police and like Gates I didn’t like it one bit. Like Gates I became irate and loud when legitimately pressed by the police officer to produce identification. Like Gates my outrage was based not in any real transgression by the police, but in a perception – a stereotype — of a white racist Cop working in league with my racist neighbors. (Do we really want our neighbors to ignore suspicious behavior and for police not to follow up on those reports? As much as we may dream it to be so, criminals of every color tend not to be down for the cause. Indeed, Gates front door was jammed because it had been damaged during a burglary at his home. But I digress.) Like Gates I protested the perceived injustice. Unlike Gates I had the benefit of Gods huge hand on my mouth before I got into trouble.
The interaction between blue uniforms and black skin is the final hurdle to overcome in our nations striving to become truly post-racial. Once we conquer it there will be little to stop us or slow us down. However, in order to succeed we need to have an honest, two sided conversation about race in America. We certainly aren’t ever going to overcome if we view the arrest of Harvard professors engaged in boorish behavior as evidence of racial profiling as opposed to proof of the desperate need for mutual respect and better communication.
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200 Comments
Honest and two sided conversation is all anyone wants. Thanks for the article.
I have said before
Hussein Obama has set race relations back 50 years
When he called his grandmother a Typical White person i knew he was as bad as Sharpton
"Like Gates I became irate and loud when legitimately pressed by the police officer to produce identification."
If you don't commit crimes you can't be legitimately asked to produce ID. It's none of the police's business who you are if you are guilty of nothing. It's called the 4th Amendment.
Deference to the police is perplexing coming from conservatives as police are unelected enforcers of the government and its unjust laws. Like Supreme Court justices or federal bureaucrats they should be treated as suspect from the get-go.
Wonderful column. I too have some sympathy with people who've been on the wrong end of police interrogations. It is not fun in any way, shape or form. However, at least you had the courage to talk with the officer and try to see it from his perspective. It reminds me a lot of high school, where we are all so sure about the motivations of our classmates and their cliches, only to find out years later that they had their own set of problems (and often much of our perceived persecution had been mostly our perception of the situation). The problem is, most people don't take the time to see from the other person's perspective, so they go through life assuming that their perception WAS reality.
"The interaction between blue uniforms and black skin is the final hurdle to overcome in our nations striving to become truly post-racial."
Well, how do you feel about the "Essence Awards"? I'd submit that there are a few other areas that still need some work.
Although you may have overstated that last point, I think your piece was in general pretty "fair and balanced". I strongly disagree, though, that there was anything close to moral equivalency between the actions of Gates and Crowley in this specific instance. Regardless of the history of race relations in American, the President of the United States needs to take a stand in support of law enforcement and not just leave it at, "let's pretend we're all just a bunch of guys and have a beer and hug it out."
I can only say one thing to that.. if you have done nothing wrong…. you should have no problems giving the police officer your id……I have had similiar issues, but honestly hand the id over then ask why do you want to see it…..
the grandmother line was god awful and really I was floored that none of the media really made a flap about the remarks!!!
2/3 of young black males are in jail or on parole. If you are part of the small law abiding percentage, don't be surprised when a cop questions you. Who cares about interactions between police and blacks? Blacks need to stop committing crimes and having kids out of wedlock. Then all the other problems will go away.
Would a neighbor have called the Cambridge police if two white men were forcing the door to a home open?
Well there is one more thing Gates can't claim. Audiotapes of the 911 call released today reveal that in fact the woman who reported what she thought was a break-in – never mentioned race at all. She came forward today and indicated that in fact as she only saw the 2 men from behind she couldn't tell what race they were. So when Sgt. Crowley showed up at the house – it was on a report of 2 men trying to break into a house. No mention of race at all – until Gates brought it up.
As for the law not requiring us to present ID to a police officer if we haven't committed a crime – I'm sure Gates thought that as well and look how it's gone for him so far. Common sense would dictate that if you haven't committed a crime and the police want to see your ID – why would you refuse if you have nothing to hide?
I'm glad to see your opinion on the Gates event. I felt bad for him when the police came to his door, but they were doing their duty. His own behavior after that left me wondering if he wanted to press the issue. Obama showed his lack of knowledge, and he had to retreat from earlier statements. Adding racial tensions to this incident polarized people, but it can be a far better example of what happens when both sides see the matter differently. If Obama wanted to bring people together over the issue, he would have gotten both men on the phone and had them talk it out with him listening. That might earn him some respect after throwing gas on the fire.
We don't need no stinking id to vote
Why should The Man need to see it ?
/sarc
Shouldn't a 50-something year old educated man, regardless of race, know better than to throw a temper tantrum?
What a great column. I am wondering if Joseph made the officer understand why he was mad when he had that conversation in the parking lot. I think the cop should have heard it – separate and away from the original confrontation.
To answer the columns questions: I do not think he would have recognized a white guy. I can understand being baffled by that. Traumatic to you, to them it was a part of their normal day. And would they have called with two white men breaking in? I would certainly hope so! They would in my neighborhood. I have lived in neighborhoods (long ago) where they might have helped them in and then finished up the job after the robbers left. So I think it depends on the neighborhood. Older people – for sure they call. Plus they are home during the day.
All smart people bite their tongues when it behooves them. How many times in my life have I wanted to deliver a good sock to the nose to a man who refuses to quit talking to my boobs? I cannot tell you. How many times have I been called "Little Lady" or had someone say something inferring I should or should not do something because I am a woman. If you are smart, you just get on with it. You pick your battles – you do not let them pick you.
Except for the "Stop and Identify" statute. They have to have a reasonable suspicion that you may have been involved in a crime. In this case the guy matched (ish) the description of a suspect.
I only have two points:
Isn't it wise to know your neighbors or at least familiar enough with them that they recognize you?
The president says he doesn't know the facts yet still offers his opinion. Shouldn't he take the opportunity to have a "teaching moment" of his own?
seriously "teaching moment" is my new least favorite phrase
http://the2minshate.blogspot.com/
I was floored that none of the media really made a flap about the remarks!!!
Really!
If Bush had said something like that, the press would have been on him like a pack of mad dogs.
To paraphrase Janaene Garofolo: it's straight-up elitism. People with that kind of arrogance never grow up.
An "honest" conversation about race in America is standing there and having someone call you a "racist." I think I'll pass.
Great column. Glad to read a sane opinion, as it relates to the facts at this time. I agree, in order to overcome, we need more mutual respect and better communication. Number one, more respect for law enforcement. Without it, chaos. We have a system of laws that deal with unfair treatment of anyone. Use it! It is not without flaws, but it's all we have at the moment. Continue to be involved. Stand for the right kind of change.
Take a deep breath, pause. No judgment until the facts are heard, please! I am sure there is more to come.
[...] Other Than That, Professor Gates, How Was Your Trip? Big Hollywood – Venice Beach,CA,USA Other patrol cars soon arrived. I continued to protest; my voice rising. As the situation escalated one of the other officers threatened to arrest me for … See all stories on this topic [...]
I really liked the column too. It's a very balanced and responsible view. I'm sorry that you've experienced race in your lifetime but to put this into perspective I can relate some of my own. My very pretty 16 yr old daughter goes to school at the local high school here in Texas. She's in the minority with the majority being black and Hispanic kids. She gets comments all the time like "there goes the white meat" and "there's that cracker". Does my daughter come home crying and threatening lawsuits? No, she considers the source and ignores the racists. I've been called all kinds of names my whole life because I have red hair. Do I sue the idiots for being "anti-ginger"? No, I deal with it. It seems to me that Gates was all pre-geared up to be "offended". Too darned bad that he chose the wrong "crackers" to use as his examples in Sgt. Crowley and the 911 caller. To quote my daughter "epic fail".
"The only black people who truly live in a post-racial world in America all live in a very nice house on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."
-Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Mr. Gates would most likely disagree with you, Joseph, on your assessment of the final hurdle to overcome in our nations striving to become truly post-racial. According to him, as a nation, we are not even close. Sad.
However, given the fact Professor Gates, eats, drinks and sleeps race is it any wonder? He 'teaches' race at Harvard. He is consumed by race yet when placed in a situation similar to the one you shared in your article, he did not shut his mouth. He did not bite his tongue, he lashed out in a tirade. He was arrested. He chose the behavior and to this day refuses to accept responsibility for his actions. For it is *he* who owes Sgt. Crowley an apology for *his* behavior. Not the other way around.
Continued:
In my opinion, Professor Gates is an elitist black man, with a chip on his shoulder, who by some form of karmic justice, is exactly where he is meant to be at this moment in his life. For it is *he* who is the racist.
Mr. Gates needs to either put up or shut up. He, along with our president, have an opportunity to move the issue of race to the next level. It is my sincere hope they seize the moment and act accordingly. I'll be watching.
Look Earl, I get tired of this stupid stat being thrown around as a reason to drag black guys out of their homes at 3 a.m.
About 77 PERCENT of all pedophiles are WHITE MEN, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. But according to your logic, this means all white guys should be on sex offender lists and have to knock on everyone's door on their block before they move in to let them know that since they are white men, they are likely to commit a sex crime against someone's kid.
Does that make sense to you, Chester Chester, Child Molester?
If not, you dipwad, why should it be fair for black guys to expect to get questioned by cops for no reason?
Man you people come up with the DUMBEST things.
Then again, I guess that explains your name, DUMBAREST!!!
"However, in order to succeed we need to have an honest, two sided conversation about race in America."
You mean there are only two races in America? That my friend itself could be connoted as racist… In psych 101 we learn 2 important things, well a few more than that, but two big ones. The first is that rape has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with power and control. The second is that racism has nothing to do with race and everything to do with fear of the unknown. If this is the case then I doubt "racism" will ever be fully eradicated and I believe it actually is the case. However, racism in America and anywhere else for that matter will continue to dilapidate in terms of significance simply because (from a biological standpoint) we are becoming ever more "grey" as a species.
Mad dogs? jeebus… it would have been the PITBULL MASSACRE
"I'll be watching. "
I am sorry to say that this is not one of those popcorn moments like when the dems eat eachother up.
How do I feel about the Essence Awards?
The same way I feel about Catholic Schools. They are there, created by and for a particular group. Catholics send their kids to get the education they want for them, and magazine targeted toward black women celebrates the best in black culture.
I'm not seeing what the problem is there.
PITBULL MASSACRE
With lipstick ?
LOL
[...] Black America: A Distinguished Gentleman or Distinguished Fool? Joseph C. Phillips, Big Hollywood: Other Than That, Professor Gates, How Was Your Trip? The Christian Science Monitor: Bill Cosby ’shocked’ at Obama’s statement on Harvard prof’s [...]
I was not surprised that Gates was upset. If I was in my home and a cop asked me to step outside and produce ID I'd be surprised, even scared, too. What I don't understand is that this man is an older man and a professor at a prestigious university and his method of handling this was to say something to the effect of "Yeah I'll talk to yo mamma outside". If that was not meant to provoke, what was it? The officer, to his credit, didn't react but even witnesses say the professor was really overreacting. As you point out, he was reacting to his own prejudices not the actual situation. I should think he would realize that, at least after the fact.
this is a silly but revealing tale…
Why The One felt compelled to wade into this- on purpose- is hard to figure, but one thing is evident: This is an administration with a far different agenda than, say, Mr Bush's. The disdain for those who produce- capitalists- is more than matched for an equally nasty view of those who protect.
Like the military. Or the Police. Anything that represents the White Racist Oppressor. The problem with that is that Barry is now the chief law enforcement officer of the United States.
So these are 'his guys' now. And he just might need them- all of them- before too long…
If it is reasonable to ask for your ID then the police sure can, that is called probable cause. How the hell can the police establish whether you are who you are, and thus worthy of suspicion or not, unless they know who you are!
I have lived in neighborhoods (long ago) where they might have helped them in and then finished up the job after the robbers left. So I think it depends on the neighborhood. ____When my home was broken into, one of my neighbors saw the people. She then went to a dentist appointment and called the Police 2 hours later. I spent 2 days cleaning up the mess.____So, if Mr. Gates home had been broken into and the police did not respond, what would he have said then.____I wonder though, if the home was equipped with an alarm system. Would the lack of an alarm made a difference in the response to the home?
I have lived in neighborhoods (long ago) where they might have helped them in and then finished up the job after the robbers left. So I think it depends on the neighborhood.
When my home was broken into, one of my neighbors saw the people. She then went to a dentist appointment and called the Police 2 hours later. I spent 2 days cleaning up the mess.
So, if Mr. Gates home had been broken into and the police did not respond, what would he have said then.
I wonder though, if the home was equipped with an alarm system. Would the lack of an alarm made a difference in the response to the home?
Joe's reasoning is some of the most flawed liberal "thought" I have seen on here…
Joe argues that because 77% of pedophiles in the US are white males, no white male (assuming the original poster was a white male) has the right to point out that over half of black males in the US have been convicted of a crime. Huh? The vast majority of white males are not pedophiles, whereas by his own tacit admission a majority of black males are incarcerated, or on parole. Which demographic has the bigger problem?
In addition, Joe says 77% of pedophiles are white men. In a nation where over 50% of people are considered white, that is pretty much what one would expect. I suspect around 12% of convicted pedophiles in the US are black, i.e. roughly their proportion of the population.
Pedophilia is quite common in Latin America and the Middle East; would Joe use that fact to condemn Latinos and Middle Easterners?
That's a slippery slope. What if they said ,"We need to come in and search your house"?
Sorry but the "nothing to hide" argument is hollow. That's why they have probable cause, and just being black and in the same neighborhood as a reported crime is not probable cause.
Here's another take, based on a true story which happened over 30 years ago in a town in the deep south. My brother and I, ages 16 and 18, decided to go to the nearest convenience store one evening for a coke. It was dark, and we had gotten about halfway to the store when a police car roared up in front of us, and two policemen jumped out and came right at us, yelling at us to hold it right there. Apparently I didn't stop fast enough, because they both drew their guns and before I knew it we had two guns pointing in our faces. (In my entire life, this was my only experience with having a gun pointed at me, and it was two white policemen doing the threatening.) They slammed us both into the back seat and raced us to the scene of a crime they were investigating, causing both of us physical injuries, for which we received neither care nor apology.
As it happened, we weren't the perpetrators they were looking for, because my brother and I are white, and the witness told them (after we arrived) that the burglars were black.
As plenty of youtube videos show, white middle-aged guys get tazered by white cops quite frequently, as do 70-year-old grannies. Cops are rough on EVERYBODY, not just black people. But then, who am I going to believe, you or my own eyes?
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/Cartoons.aspx#cartoo...
Yes you should have a problem giving the police officer your ID because he is unjustly asking. Remember, he is an agent of the government and protects its interests (though he might not know that) and is not to be trusted. That's not to say you should be rude or indecent to another person.
The police get to establish what is reasonable? No of course not. If that were the case shooting you on the street would be reasonable if the police wanted to do it.
Good one. I remember when Michael Ramirez was published in the LA Times. Nice to see his work again.
Love the comment from the little kid in the cartoon.
1) Gates must apologize (publicly) to Crowley
2) Obama must apologize (publicly) to Crowley.
NOTE: No fake-out "I'm sorry my comments were misinterpreted" BS "apology", either!
3) Gates and Obama must start campaign to have "teaching moments" with blacks to stress the importance of NOT race-baiting others. REAL racism incidents are mocked with stupid race-baiting like Gates'. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Rev. Wright and Louis Farrakhan must take part.
If these things are not agreed to and done, Officer Crowley must sue Prof. Gates for defamation of character.
[...] Black America: A Distinguished Gentleman or Distinguished Fool? Joseph C. Phillips, Big Hollywood: Other Than That, Professor Gates, How Was Your Trip? Boston.com: Gates caller says she didn’t cite race – Woman laments media accounts Andrew [...]
Actually it is enough cause for the police to stop and ask him for his ID. Because the description was of a black male and he was in within a distance of the crime that is enough to for the police to ask you for your ID and ask you what your doing. It would be the same if it was a white male reported. Mind I'm talking about enough probable casue for a show of ID and some questions not for an arrest.
me thinks the professor suffers mightly from shortman syndrone–how tall is he 5'5" soaking wet?
@ Joe – nope, that isn't what anyone was saying here. Sorry you've got problems and that you're part of the problem. Nobody in this story got drug out of their homes – drama must be a part of your life that gives it meaning. Shame.
Yes, I fed the troll. An ignorant drama troll.
I agree. My first impression was this is an issue of maturity. If Mr. gates had acted his age, this issue could have been avoided. Instead he responded like a rebellious teenager, making a mountain out of a mole hill.
"Thank you officer, sorry for the confusion. I appreciate that you were acting in my best interest in responding to the call of a break in. I'm glad you are here doing your job. Take care. Drop by again sometime."
Excellent piece. As a black woman, I've never had any police confrontations, but I've had my share of stink eyes from white lady clerks in high end stores. Were they racist or just snobs? When I was younger, I often assumed the former, as I got older the latter, and now I pretty much don't care what she thinks; just sell me my stuff, girlie. I think Gates overreacted by being so insulting to the officer; in his own first person account over at The Root he makes some pretty broad assumptions. The shoe in his mouth is even larger now that the 911 tape has been released. (Personally, I'd have been glad for the police to show up–I was thrilled when Amex stopped my card after I made several jewelry purchases within a few hours outside my home state. I like being protected, even if it's from myself, and I would never mouth off to a cop, no matter how jet lagged) But I still don't really understand how even being an @$$ in your own home is disturbing the peace–I have great sympathy and respect for the cops, I don't see why Crowley didn't just say "thank you for your time," leave the house, and let Gates rail away to the closed door. He had established that Gates lived there; it seems to me his official business was done, no matter how thankless and rude Gates was. What disturbs me most about this case is it will, like false rape complaints, make it much harder to prove when true offenses occur. The problem with having 2-sided conversations about race is that one side often seems too angry and self-righteous to listen to the other.
Kareem, is that you???
I call them munchkins
LOL
"However, as a Black man I want him to understand that I am/was, (like Gates), conditioned to suspect such interactions with the police as being motivated by latent or overt racism."
A few years ago my (white) husband met me at work for lunch and then left. I received a phone call about 30 minutes later from a police dispatcher asking if my husband had met me for lunch. I said yes, then asked what the problem was. She said she couldn't tell me. I was obviously very concerned. Thankfully, he came back to my office a few minutes later to explain what had happened. There had been a bank robbery at the bank across the street from my office. The robber was white, had a shaved head, carried a green backpack and drove away in a white compact. My husband had recently shaved his head, drove a white Nissan Sentra and happened to have a green backpack in the backseat of his car. As he tried to turn left at an intersection, he was ambushed by at least four police cars, guns drawn on him and handcuffed and put in the back of a patrol car.
We laugh about the situation now, though it was terribly frightening for him then, though he didn't have any ill will towards the cops. By I often think about how someone who wasn't white would take the exact same altercation.
I quit the Times several years ago.
The Daily Breeze still publishes his work.
Also you can have his work e-mails to you daily.
[...] Gabfest: Perhaps OJ could teach a class on self-defense… Joseph C. Phillips, Big Hollywood: Other Than That, Professor Gates, How Was Your Trip? Boston.com: Gates caller says she didn’t cite race – Woman laments media accounts Andrew [...]
Ah yes! The Napoleon complex.
Also made famous by Randy Neuman. Short People….
Ah yes! The Napoleon complex.
Also made famous by Randy Newman. Short People….
No it's the courts. Case law has said that it is legal for police to stop you and ask for ID and ask your reasons for being in the area as long as they can give probable cause for doing so. But really it doesn't matter since you sound like your mind is pretty much made up on the subject.
Oh come on! I know, Obama keeps saying these things… but fifty years, really? You know what it was like fifty years ago? It will never be as bad again, ever.
And in the long run, race relations will be the one thing that Obama cannot help improving. Much as I despise his socialist policies and his evident condescension towards Americans, in the long run what most people will remember is only that a black guy can get elected president. Twenty years down the road, it will make a huge difference in the attitudes of people growing up now. The man himself almost doesn´t matter.
If only Obama were smart enough to realize that only the complete failure of his left-wing agenda can keep his legacy untarnished! He should beg Congress not to pass anything. But he´s still too full of himself.
Crowley had established that Gates lived there; he had not established that Gates was not under duress. Cops are taught to make sure a homeowner isn't being held against their will in situations like this. Often a woman will tell the cops to "Just go away" but when she leaves the house she immediately asks to be put under their protection from an abuser.
Crowley was trying to make sure the homeowner wasn't standing inside with a gun pointed at his head.
Good point. I forgot about that.
Here is a link to a raw video, of an interview, given by Sgt. Crowley to a local Boston TV station:
http://wn.whdh.com/global/video/popup/pop_player….
Maybe it will help shed some light on what it was the sergeant was dealing with. Also, I believe the audio tape, when released, of the arrest of Mr. Gates, may help put things in context. We'll see.
Mr. Gates brought this on himself. He is to blame for his behavior, which did not help the situation. The president, commenting on the issue last week, did not help the situation. Sgt. Crowley did his job, he's a good man, a good cop who is owed an apology from Mr. Gates. Stay tuned.
In order to establish that Gates wasn't being held under duress, Sgt. Crowley has been taught to make the homeowner step outside of the home in situations like this. If a bad guy has your family at knifepoint or you in the sights of his gun, stepping outside the house allows the homeowner to give this information to the police. It happens often enough, particularly in domestic abuse situations, that it is standard practice.
If you want to mouth off to a cop who wants you to step out of your house, remember why he's doing it, and that he or she is willing to pull their gun and engage in battle with an armed killer inside your home, to protect you.
Gates should apologize profusely, in public, with feeling, to the brave policeman who was trying to protect him and is still willing, today, to put his life on the line for him. And then Obama can do the same. I'll write his speech for him and he can read it from the teleprompter.
What I said was in response to this comment above: If you don't commit crimes you can't be legitimately asked to produce ID. It's none of the police's business who you are if you are guilty of nothing.
How would Sgt. Crowley have known that Gates lived in the house – without approaching him and asking for ID to verify it was indeed his house and that he belonged there. As stated already, the 911 call indicates that the color of the potential burglars was never stated by the caller; when Crowley got there it was a burglary call without any race attached to it. Being "black and in the same neighborhood" has nothing to do with it.
All that being said – I find that if a copy wants my ID, I'm going to give it to them regardless of whether they have any probably cause or not. If they want to search my home without probable cause – that's a whole nuther kettle of fish. Each situation should dictate the response.
Crowley's request for ID after identifying himself and his reason for being there – was enough reason for Gates to behave like a mature adult and just give the ID over. It's not rocket science.
I'm from near Philly, and as a young man, two friends and I were walking down a narow alley not particularly clean of its fair share of drug activity. Still it was near our neighborhood. A car came down behind us, and increased speed, so we ran, thinking someone wanted to run us over. They caught up with us, drew guns on us and slammed us onto the side of the car. Turns out is was an undercover car, and they were looking for 3 young men who were 'dealing'. Of course, my two friends were black. After quick questioning and a bit of a fright (my first experience really seeing a gun in my face) we were let go. The cops left after they realized their mistake rather quickly. No explanations, no apologies.__Police make mistakes, certainly not all are saints. As an active duty Marine and sometime cop on missions, I realize difficult choices have to be made. I didnt begrudge the cops, and they obviously had my complete cooperation. It was a matter of wrong place, wrong time. __Mr Gates was not too smart in locking himself out. he should be thankful that he had officers of Sgt Crowleys caliber to handle the situation. Wrong situation, wrong place, right cops.
http://www.thefoxnation.com/politics/2009/07/27/v...
A black man calling a white man a racist is equivalent to a white man calling a black man the n word. All hell will break loose in either case.
Hi Joe,
Great column (as usual). But perhaps what "Old_Tom" was alluding to is the ever-present "black only" groups which still exist today…namely groups such as the Congressional Black Caucus, the NAACP, the United Negro College Fund, Miss Black America, etc. I believe that institutions such as these may actually be the "final hurdle to overcome", if not solely because politically and socially recognized groups like these are not allowed to exist for whites in this country. And, quite honestly, they rightfully shouldn't! Thus, it seems to be a bit one-sided, don't you think?
Sometimes, folks, cops happen.
I agree! As it happened to me in Inglewood many many years ago (1965) while delivering chicken dinners in my 1955 Chevrolet Nomad. When I asked the officer why I was stopped he told me about a robery and that the suspect escapped in a red Oldsmobile.
Sometimes, folks, cops happen.
I agree! As it happened to me in Inglewood many many years ago (1965) while delivering chicken dinners in my 1955 Chevrolet Nomad. When I asked the officer why I was stopped, he told me about a robery and that the suspect escapped in a red Oldsmobile. Close but no cigar.
Am I wrong in the belief that Dr. Gates is planning to do a documentary on race in America? Perhaps his actions and reactions to this situation were and are motivated by his desire to be the focus of this documentary.
It's the courts. The have ruled it's legal to stop someone and ask for ID and ask their reason for being in the area as long the police can state the probable cause for doing so. This probable cause does not have to reach the same level for an arrest only for the stop. Though I really think it's pointless to explain it to you since your mind is made up. Although I think it's funny you demand the police suspect you of anything but you automatically assume the police are out to get you. Seems like a double standard.
Enjoyed this article, thank-you.
I'm a Racist and proud of it! I believe that one race should populate this world. That is the Human Race! If an alien comes here from another planet there is a good chance I will not like it at first glance. There I said it.
Gates and many other blacks need to lose the chip they carry around on their sholders. I know there is big money in whining all the time but it needs to stop. .I cannot stand whiners and don't want to be around them. They act like children.
Robbie, in this and follow up posts you incorrectly characterize the requirements of the 4th Amd. There are several twists to the law, but the short version is that you do have to produce ID if the police have a legitimate reason for asking you for it. What constitute "legitimate" can vary depending on the circumstances; sometimes it's probable cause, sometimes it's reasonable suspicion. Either way, it's the police that make the initial determination. Courts may later determine that the police acted in error, but at the time the citizen must produce the ID.
One thing people need to keep in mind is that criminals lie. If you're standing in your house where there's been a suspected break-in and a cop asks you if you're the owner, you shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't automatically believe you and treat you with kid gloves when you say yes. I've been involved in several situations where people started yelling at the cop, "But I told you such-and-such," as if their mere word were supposed to be taken as gospel. It's no reflection on your character if the cop doesn't believe you without further verification. He's simply refusing to be a moron, which you would damn sure accuse him of being if someone else was involved who WAS guilty of some serious crime that he let go without checking.
Remember that for someone like Gates, throwing a temper tantrum is a money and power-making machine. He is in the business of tantrums. Are you going to keep someone from making a living?
Seriously? Damn, when I went to psych 101 it was mostly biology. Yours was race and rape. What the hell college did you go to?
Excellent man. One way to look at it is that over the last 40 years it has probably gotten easier being black and harder being blue.
As a blue-eyed, natural blonde, I have also many times experienced rude treatment from sales clerks. First, for Valentines Day my husband told me to pick a St. John's suit, but the clerks at the St. John's store – although they weren't busy – never approached me, just gave me the once over. I figured it was their loss, went straight to Nordstrom's where the sales clerk was immediately helpful and very attentive. I was well dressed,etc – why the different treatment? Some clerks are snobs and some are lazy. At the Detroit Airport, a black sales clerk, gave my daughter and myself a look of utter contempt, didn't my pleasantries, etc. – think she might have it in for blondes? Unfortunately, I think normal, everyday rude behavior is often attributed to racism when that's how the person treats everyone. As far as stepping outside the home, what if someone had broken into Gates' home and was threatening him? Crowley was attempting to get to what was actually going on, protect Gates, and not expose himself to additional danger. I will admit that I can be a hothead, but I'm always smart enough to keep my mouth shut and cooperate with the police because I don't want any trouble. It's just common sense to help yourself in that way; maybe you won't get a speeding ticket and you certainly won't be arrested!
Liberty is but happiness in the cradle that does not sleep when rocked but rises to defend its self.
Good point, Walker. I've heard unconfirmed reports that a documentary is planned. Lucky us.
I went to the one that taught psychology in psychology and biology in biology.
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Excellent article. You stated the problem with racism exactly as it is. I am glad to see someone speak to Mr. Gate's own responsibility in this situation. As someone who abhors racism, I do not see it in this case. The fact that President Obama does is unfortunate. Thank you again for your wise article.
If the police are forced to treat black suspects/criminals more differentially than white suspects/criminals, there will not be equal crime protection for blacks. If blacks are held to a different standard regarding producing ID, cooperation, etc, there will be more black victims. I think we can all agree that there is, in reality, a huge problem with black on black crime. At what point will common sense prevail? Are white people going to be called racist for trying to do the right thing, such as calling the police to report suspicious, possibly criminal, activity at their black neighbor's house? As a blonde "whitey", had I been in Gates' shoes, I would have politely cooperated with the police; then I would have baked cookies to take over and thank my neighbors for keeping an eye on my property, whether those neighbors were white, black hispanic, Navajo, etc. Would it not be racist to not call the police to investigate a possible break-in at your black neighbor's house if, under similar circumstances, you would call for your white neighbor's house?
Exactly! Sometimes there is no grandiose ulterior motive; sometimes the salesgirl is just a bee-yotch.
Dear White Person,
Who are the "Back People" your post is addressed to?
I get that; as I said, if the cops came to my house on a similar call, I'd be thrilled if they checked the apartment. I haven't yet seen if Crowley attempted to explain that explicitly to Gates; I suppose my follow up would then be, why not cuff him, put him outside, check the house and then let him go? This is easy for me to say, as I am not a cop, and the whole "disturbing the peace" thing is still a bit murkily defined. Regardless, as I said, Gates was in the wrong and I hope he's enjoying the taste of that giant foot in his mouth
Shawn Bradley says, "No one's too short to dunk over me."
I HATE the Mole people! They have absolutely RUINED the neighborhood!
The Community Organizer in Chief has spoken and has finally publicly revealed his true proclivities for those not so blind to see.
Our President said he did not know the facts, and said the Police are stupid.
He has put all Police officers at greater risk because of his foolish comments .
It would be nearly impossible to have a fair exchange of words about race between white and blacks…..I am saying this as a white person that lives in NY……. Most of the blacks, will come off the same way that Gates has and I do not have any malice towards him about it, the reason why….Joe becasuse of your story.. there has to be about a million episodes like this. The really bad thing here is that the MESSIAH had to open his mouth and tell the POLICE they acted "STUPIDLY" and thus the RACE CARD was drawn……. This situation will only get worse if the MESSIAH does not apologize properly…. The main reason why I know that the situation isn't as bad as it could be… JACKSON AND SHARPTON have not opined on this situation!!!!! if they are not around it must stink like dead fish!!!!!
Correction: The president stated that Cambridge police acted “stupidly” in arresting Gates.
There is a difference.
As the chief law enforcement officer in the country, it would have been a wiser decision to probably state something to the effect as he did not know all the facts of the case and would have no comment. His words will clearly have an effect on the men and women who serve as police officers, time will tell to what degree.
I was referring to what happened to the author. I think that anybody should be able to walk around their neighborhood without having to be stopped and accosted for ID.
The Gates situation is a little different. There was a report of men breaking into that house, and the cops did have probable cause. Gates was way out of line and he actually should be thankful that his neighbors cared enough to call the cops in the first place.
To be honest if a cop stops me and asks for ID, I'm gonna need to know why first. Just because he asks for it, doesn't mean he has a right to demand it. I'll give it to him, but this isn't the Soviet Union where you have to produce papers just because.
I have no problem with the cops doing thier job, I would do all I can to help. My problem was with the "nothing to hide" argument. That is not enough for the cops to do anything.
"The interaction between blue uniforms and black skin is the final hurdle to overcome in our nation's striving to become truly post-racial."
Well, how do you feel about the "Essence Awards"? I'd submit that there are a few other areas that still need some work.
Although you may have overstated that last point, I think your piece was in general pretty "fair and balanced". I strongly disagree, though, that there was anything close to moral equivalency between the actions of Gates and Crowley in this specific instance. Regardless of the history of race relations in American, the President of the United States needs to take a stand in support of law enforcement and not just leave it at, "let's pretend we're all just a bunch of guys and have a beer and hug it out."
Shame on Obama for that. And, really, shame on Crowley if he accepts.
And that case law is wrong. On whose authority do the courts get to determine what is reasonable?
No the citizen must not. No one has the right to demand to know who you are or what you are doing unless you can be seen to be in the act of a crime. If you think differently, you must tell me on whose authority they have this power.
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