The article quoted below seems to demonstrate how quickly some people STILL deal the race card from the bottom of the deck. I have interjected some of my observations in [brackets] interspersed throughout.
July 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – President Barack Obama said Wednesday that police acted “stupidly” in the arrest of prominent black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and that despite racial progress blacks and Hispanics are still singled out unfairly for arrest.
“This still haunts us,” Obama said.
Obama called Gates a friend, and said he doesn’t know all the facts of the case. [ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ON A NATIONAL STAGE. "I wasn't there, I don't know the facts, but here's my opinion..." Gee, sounds like those public opinion polls that we all love: "Do you believe the United States has the capability to intercept all emails?" Well, let me see...does it matter if I believe it or not -- even if I know nothing about the United States' capabilities? Apparently, no. I will, henceforth, try not to hold back from holding forth on things I know nothing about!] Nonetheless, Obama said, anyone would have been angry if treated the way Gates claims police in Cambridge, Mass., treated him. Gates, a Harvard University professor, claims he was arrested in his home after showing ID to police who responded to a report of a possible burglary.
“Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof he was in own home,” Obama said during a prime-time news conference that otherwise focused on the health care debate.
Gates’ arrest followed a report of a possible burglary. A woman apparently saw Gates force the front door and called police. Police came and demanded that Gates show identification. Gates was arrested shortly afterward for alleged disorderly conduct, a charge that was dropped Tuesday.
“What I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there’s a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately,” Obama said. “That’s just a fact.” [Disproportionately? Dare we say that many police stops are the result of 911 calls -- and that those stops are conducted on the basis of the suspect description given by the caller? Would it be more "fair" if, after the report of a burglar leaving the scene of a crime, that officers be more careful to stop a wide variety of persons -- even if they don't fit the description of the suspect -- just to 'even things out'?]
That disparity is a reminder that “race remains a factor in the society,” Obama said. [ I THOUGHT WE GOT OVER THIS WITH THE ELECTION LAST NOVEMBER…?!?! Race remains a factor only if you continue to mention it and use it as a bludgeon -- otherwise, can we just get on with the business at hand, please? You work hard, I work hard, and the chips fall where they may.]
The nation’s first black president held himself up as testament to what he called the “incredible progress” minorities have achieved. [AND NOW, MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT LOFTIER GOALS ARE LEFT TO ACHIEVE SO THAT WE CAN “BREAK THE CYCLE” OF RACISM?? Can we not finally acknowledge that your qualifications to do ANYTHING have no more to do with the color of your skin than the type of car you drive?]
The police sergeant accused of racism after he arrested Gates insisted Wednesday that he won’t apologize.
Police say Gates at first refused to display ID and then accused the officer of racism. [The racism here seems to be jumping to the immediate conclusion that you are being discriminated against because of racism -- and not being dealt with firmly for the outrageousness of your behavior and lack of civility. Everyone needs to step back and look at situations like this objectively -- there are consequences for behavior, bad or otherwise. We contribute nothing to the discussion if we continually blame others for the consequences that befall us at our own hands (or mouths).]
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