Harvard professor arrested, racism accusations claimed
Written by Michael Vass
Sometimes you hear news and you just know how someone involved in that news feels. In this case, I think virtually ever African American in America has had a moment similar to this one.
Before I get to that think about this. In many cities around the country calling 911 in or to a predominantly Black neighborhood is about as useful as inviting the local Mayor. The response time in many large cities, New York and L.A., are especially noted for being about as reliable as a politician being honest. Actually the police are known for being slightly better - most of the time. In fact it was so bad at one point that records were made about the situation (notably by Public Enemy).
Another thing to keep in mind is the tendency of most every police force in America to overreact when a Black man does something they don’t like. In Philadelphia it got 3 men beaten by 15 cops. In Oakland it resulted in Oscar Grant being shot dead, in the back, on New Year’s Day 2009. In Texas it caused Robbie Tolan to be shot in the stomach, New Year’s Eve 2008. And of course there was the case of Amadou Diallo in New Yok City.
Diallo was shot 19 times out of the 41 that were fired at him by 4 officers, in front of his door. 2 of the officers reloaded to continue shooting Diallo. One of the shots was fired at Diallo through the bottom of the sole of his foot, meaning he was lying prone and dead at the time. The deadliest thing he had in his possession was his wallet.
I don’t mean to say that this is the normal response by police to an unarmed African American male. I am saying it is anything but uncommon. Especially when a study done of police officers in NYC (2004) found that
“Black faces looked more criminal to police officers; the more Black, the more criminal.”
In addition to noting that Police would more quickly shoot an unarmed or armed Black man than White.
So the reality of the situation is clear I think. Now combine this information.
On July 16th in the afternoon, Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was trying to enter his own home. He was locked out of his house. His house is near Harvard University. A woman called the police, stating that an unknown individual was trying to break into the Professors house. The sun does not set in the East coast until about 8:30pm at this time of year (in case there was a question of visibility) Those are all the facts that are not in question.
Police state that they arrived and asked the man in question to identify himself. This was denied. Professor Gates was arrested for trying to break into his own home. From there police stated that Professor Gates accused the police of being racists. That he purportedly stated
‘This is what happens to black men in America.’
Neither the police, nor Professor Gates have made further comment.
My point is this. How many people have you ever heard of that were White and arrested for trying to enter their own home if they were locked out? I have actually watched police help a person enter their home and then give them proof that it is their residence, rather than arrest them (yes, they were White). I know of friends that have had multiple police search a house for a supposed burglar to only find a cat in a closet (in a White neighborhood). I have watched police become belligerent because a kid did not move fast enough to their instructions (Black kid, White neighborhood). I have had police pull guns on me, every time without cause or provocation (across the country some 8 times now).
So I am left with this thought. I understand how Professor Gates felt that day. It doesn’t matter how this all went down exactly. I’ve been in similar situations before, and have had police watching me as I entered my own house several times.
Given the propensity for police to assault and/or kill an innocent unarmed Black man, Professor Gates is lucky. This could have easily been far more sad and unfortunate. It very often is, and normally if so it gets neither media attention nor punitive actions against the police.
I can also understand how Professor Gates, who is the director of Harvard’s W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, might react as was stated. If he did so, and if he was not provoked to do so. Which are questions we do not have answers to.
But considering the nature of police and relations with African Americans, for centuries, plus the subliminal and persistent views of the media connecting African American males and violence can you also understand how Professor Gates likely felt?
