|
I think the charges were dropped because they were concerned about it turning into a firestorm in the media (Harvard professor and all, it is Cambridge, MA after all, there ain't much else in Cambridge except Harvard). Well, it did any way. But Gates turned it into a free for all by declaring it to be a race issue.
I think the officer acted appropriately. I think the Harvard professor wanted special treatment because he was a Harvard professor. What Gates should be concerned about is how he was racially profiled by his neighbors who called the cops.
I don't think Jim Crowley (Jesus, what a coincidence of a name, huh? JIM CROWley) should apologize. There is no evidence in his past that Crowley let racism taint his judgment in the past. He was called because someone was breaking into a house, which Gates was. Yes, it was his own house but he was breaking in nonetheless, what else is someone observing supposed to assume? Gates became unruly and disorderly, Crowley tried to explain but Gates wanted special treatment as a Harvard professor and didn't get it. Was Crowley just supposed to walk away and have this man continue disturbing the peace? Nope. The cop usually sticks around until the situation is resolved and everything calms down.
I think African Americans are unjustly targeted by some police officers in this country. I don't feel that that happened in this case.
|