Comments on: Racism or Male Ego: Which Was More At Fault in the Skip Gates Case?

By: Larry

Larry — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:54:28 +0000

Male or female, it doesn’t make a difference, we have a media and judicial system that creates an environment that is conducive for both parties to be wrong on many levels. As a black male, I would be angry in this situation and as an authoritative figure, I would be angry in this situation. My home is my home so I am biased toward Dr. Gates. I guess that’s why it’s important when you are a Black person to be educated about our history and the practices that have been used to perpetuate oppression. Sometimes, Shut Up and Live but sometimes Speak Up. Some lessons were learned; it was a teachable moment for many.

By: Biko Baker

Biko Baker — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:44:42 +0000

What do folks think now that the buzz has gone done. Have race relations in America really changed because of the beer summit.

By: Mark Neely

Mark Neely — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:23:38 +0000

The fact is this kind of question is only a debate when White Folks weigh in. As a Black Man I've had Helicopters over head, Even Police have stopped me walking down the street.

In his house he gets arrested. Yes this is America.....

When you hear White Folks say he was uppity to the Police or didn't know his place, Yes this is still America....

By: Van King

Van King — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:00:19 +0000

I think it was a combination of things that got blown way out of proportion way too fast. I do believe that it was a slight bit of racism with the first notion of the woman who called the police in the first place. I do not know too many 60 year old burglars with a chauffer and living in Cambridge. Second, I do believe that the officer should have diffused the situation once he realized that Skip Gates was in his own home. Thirdly, yes professor Gates a well known scholar on race probably did wield a little bit of influential power at the officer by saying things like I am gonna call your boss and “do you know who I am”? It worked both ways in my opinion. Now that calmer heads have prevailed, the question still remains; does racial profiling still exist? YES it does, but most importantly what can and are we willing to do about it. The best thing for race relations in America was electing Obama because now race is an American issue. Its not a black white latino issue. Its not a southern thing. There are people that truly feel that racism does not exist in the North. WHAT!!! Racism in America exists in all walks of life. It is natural and its necessary for America to thrive. Is the foundation on which America was founded. So yes the color and the Ego of Professor Gates lead to his arrest. The first racist act which no one is talking about is the caller. Just because two black men are on a porch forcing a door open does not mean that they are burglars. The officer did not appreciate being talked to in that manner especially by Professor Gates. Thats why he asked him to step outside of the house…he could not arrest him in his home for disorderly conduct…it had to be in public…so yeah thats when I believe it became a racialized incident. It became even more racilaized when the media started looking for white and black supporters for each group. That widens the divide. They asked the black officer, they find out the cop was a racial profiling expert who has taught the class. It became even more racialized by focusing on the things that made it racial. RACE!!! So in sum, yeah they both were to blame for this incident. It would not have gotten this much attention had not Lynn Sweet asked that dumb ass question in the HEALTH CARE session. So she too was “playing the race card” No one is asking her why would you ask a question like that when all the other reporters asked health care questions….she was trying to stir the pot….did he walk into it…yes…but i bet she wont get anymore press passes….

By: Corey Mondello

Corey Mondello — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:38:22 +0000

Men are babies and will always have a character that represents that of an alcoholic, the way AA defines one; “Ego-maniac with a inferiority complex”.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:41:58 +0000

Alfonsa wrote: "I’ll concur that all the facts aren’t out in this particular case to say much about what actually went down," Period! Just stop there Alfonsa cuz we don't know the facts yet. So how can you say that; "it is almost certainly an example of an abuse of police power."? As far as we all know the arrest was warranted due to the Prof.'s actions – but I’ll reserve judgment until the facts are out (can’t wait to hear the 911 tapes and the tapes of the police radios)

Racism or Male Ego?, neither. I say it was arrogance and elitisms on behalf of the Prof.

Racism and Male Ego are why the Prof. (and the President) will not apologize for their words.

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:38:27 +0000

It’s nice to see an objective analysis of this story. Not even the national news can do that. Did you see the picture of him being cuffed? The cop standing in the front was blatantly of African ancestry, and apparently so was the neighbor who called the cops on the Prof. when she mistook him and his cab driver for burglars.

By: Alfonso

Alfonso — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:15:51 +0000

I’ll concur that all the facts aren’t out in this particular case to say much about what actually went down, but I think that, overall, it’s always a good thing to highlight the problems with our system of of “law and order”. Even if race wasn’t the primary factor behind the arrest, it is almost certainly an example of an abuse of police power. Even if we had two stubborn egos butting heads here, the onus should be on the po to be professional and simply walk away from the situation. A response to a report which is determined to be erroneous should never end up in the arrest of an innocent man.

By: hitopsandblazers

hitopsandblazers — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:27:28 +0000

Yeah…i heard that dude was a first class a.hole!!