Professor Gates’ arrest validates the presumption of race relation theories
July 23, 2009 by Eugene Jacquescoley
The presumption of racial profiling of African Americans is systematically based on the motivation of police officers' racial prejudice; a number of sociological theories (Engel et al, 2002; Romero, 2002; Delgado, 1995; Delgado, 2002) have explored if this presumption has validity. The critical race theory argues that “preserving the interests of power, rather than the demands of principle and precedent.” What this seems to suggest, is that existing precedents may be indeterminate. In the case of Harvard’s Professor Gates arrest in Cambridge, Massachusetts…several of these theories can be tested.
Critical race theory emerges from a consortium of Critical Legal Studies, which also comprise post-colonial theory. The critical approach of post-colonialism deals with the branding of colonized identities. Historically, colonialism was not concerned with issues of racism and liberalism. However, the critical race theory has not been accepted in mainstream academia. As a result, a number of police departments have responded to increased incidents of racial profiling in their respective districts, by instituting a Race Relations Council. The premise of these councils is to increase dialogue with community and a call for unification. The problem with a number of these programs is that they are not scientific based.
If Sgt Crowley did nothing wrong in the case of Professor Gates, and if the executive management of the Cambridge Massachusetts Police Department stand by Sgt. Crowley investigative efforts; why would President Obama weigh in on this matter? I propose that President Obama was infuriated like so many other minorities that may have been affected by racial profiling. Interesting enough, as the circumstances of the case come forward, it would be interesting to learn about Cambridge Police Department’s policy on racial profiling as it relates to theories like Critical Race Theory.
Consequently, President Obama's response is aligned with the mission of his guiding principles for The White House Office on Urban Affairs. “President Obama recognizes that our civil rights laws and principles are at the core of our nation. He has spent much of his career fighting to strengthen civil rights – as a community organizer, civil rights lawyer, Illinois State Senator, U.S. Senator, and now as President. He knows that our country grows stronger when all Americans have access to opportunity and are able to participate fully in our economy (The White House Office on Urban Policy).”
Based on this assessment, President Obama had no choice but to respond to the journalist’s questions concerning Professor Gates.It is clear to me, that President Obama is serious about race relations in this country. After all, he is a minority and he is the Commander in Chief (whether you or like or not). The Cambridge Police Department has been catapulted to the national spotlight, for Sgt. Crowley’s incompetence and apparent disregard for race relations.
References
The White House. [Online]. Civil Rights. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/civil_rights/ on July 23, 2009.
Engel, S., Calnon, J. and Bernard, T. (2002). Theory and racial profiling: Shortcomings and future directions in research. Justice Quarterly, 19, 2, pp. 249-273.
Delgado, Richard. ed. Critical Race Theory: The Cutting Edge. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1995.
Delgado, Richard and Jean Stefancic. "Critical Race Theory: An Annotated Bibliography." Virginia Law Review, Vol. 79, No. 2. (Mar., 1993), pp. 461–516.
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Comments
In my opinion...
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38314
President Obama, Gates & Crowley should all apologize.
I don’t like putting anyone in the “stupid” category but if we are going to put one of them there, than all three of them belong there.
Before I begin I want to say that I am a half Caucasian, half African American, Marine Corps veteran who is an independent and who ended up voting for President Obama.
In regards to Crowley and Gates, it is my personal opinion that this morphed into a racial issue when in actuality it was a clash of egos. I believe that too often Americans of all races tend to make situations like this a racial issue just because the two parties happen to be of different races. Change their skin colors to any combination you want, it’s what’s inside that made both of them act the way they did.
With Crowley, he received a burglary call, arrived to find an individual matching the description of the “reported suspect” and at first he acted accordingly. He cannot go off of “this is my house”; he needs to positively identify Mr. Gates to ensure the situation is resolved. The problem is, even if Gates was acting unruly, once he was positively identified Crowley should have used that immediate opportunity to explain the situation to at least attempt to improve police and community relationships given that it was clear Gates believed it was a racial issue. If Crowley attempted that and Gates was still upset and didn’t want to hear it, just tell him “very well, regardless of how you feel now Mr. Gates I’m sorry for the mix up. Goodnight”. He should not have arrested him.
With Gates, I believe that once he knew that Crowley was there and why he was there, he should have complied and immediately brought forward his identification to prove that it was his house and that this was all a mix up instead of refusing at first and implying that it must have been because he’s black. Mr. Gates seems determined to not want the color of a persons skin to come into play, have race not be an issue, to want people to see beyond that and see people for who they truly are….and I couldn’t agree more with that train of thought, BUT he was the first one to pull the race card and point out that he’s a black man.
At the end of the day, they both acted inappropriately. We have a professor and a police officer. Both titles we should hold in high regard and if they both acted in a manner in which all of us feel a professor and a police officer should act this all could have been avoided regardless of either of their skin color.
Finally, in regards to President Obama, he should not have commented on an issue that is so divisive without knowing all the facts. I understand that he openly said that he doesn’t know all the facts and openly said that his opinion would be bias but that’s no excuse. If he knew that, then that should have been his cue to say “I cannot comment on that at this time”, not interject his immediate personal opinion. I’m a manager now and when there are issues at work that are causing a rift between employees I don’t get to address the staff with my personal bias opinion. Being in a leadership role, doing so would only amplify that rift and further polarize the staff. I have to use emotional intelligence, I must ensure I do not quickly give my personal opinion without gathering all the facts and when I do address the staff on the issue I have to do my absolute best to bring everyone back together, remind people of what’s important and reinforce that we all have so much more in common with one another vs. what pulls us apart. Now remember, I’m a manager at a store, addressing a staff of 30, about workplace policies. I’m not the President of the United States, addressing the nation, about the issue race. If that is what is expected of me, than I expect that from our President.
In closing, all 3 men are human. They all made a mistake and hopefully they will all learn from it. And don’t forget, if you are even in a heated argument, the best way to get the last word is to apologize.
Dyson instead of Gates
July 25, 2009 by Sacman, 18 weeks 1 day ago
Comment: 38327
My question is simple: What if this happened in Philly instead of Boston and it were Mike Dyson instead of Skip Gates? More than likely guns would have been drawn and a far more dangerous situation developed as Dyson is a far larger man and more intensely vocal than Gates. We should consider ourselves 'lucky' in that sense that Gates is naturally mild-mannered and simply let his ego direct his actions. The cop should not have been afraid of giving his badge number instead of cuffing Gates so both overreacted and let their egos take control. Obama should have declined comment entirely under pressure from the press corps. He has to learn to redirect the questions.
Call it like it is, stupid, leave the Pres alone
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38311
We have bigger fish to fry, this is too stupid, immature, kids. Next time get off his property and let him get into his own home. I know when I'm breaking into my own home, I'm already pissed so the officer should have taken that into consideration and left him alone or helped him. He's here for the citizens paid by citizens to protect citizens. Where was the protection for the professor?
Race Relations
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38308
I have heard the stories on this incident and I believe that the officer did nothing wrong. If it had been any other race things would have been the same. If anyone argues and is resistant with the police they can arrest you. This has happened with all races in the past. I think this is another case of minorities yelling descrimination as a woe is me case. I agree that there is still descrimination in this country but this isnt it.
Cambridge Police and Professor Gates
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38304
We have another case of he said and he said. The police report says one thing and Professor Gates says another. Probably no one will ever know the truth. Did Professor Gates call the police officer a racist? Gates says no. Was Gates belligerent as the police officer states? Gates says no.
I would like to know the truth, so the "talking heads" would stop speculating and in some cases making up things to "stir the pot" in America.
President Obama even weighed in saying the police acted stupidly. It was pretty stupid for the President to say that. As usual, the White House is backtracking to cover the President's gluteus maximus.
The President admitted he did not know the facts, so how could he come to a conclusion that the police acted stupidly.
Scott Fromader
Madison, Wisconsin
Respect for Sargent Crowley
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38302
I live in Houston, Texas. I am writing to say I support officer Crowley. He seems to be an outstanding officer. He should not be required to take abuse with someone using the race card. I agree that he has nothing to apologize. If anything, he should receive the apology from Gates and Obama. Thanks
Oh my!
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38297
Give me a break!. It's time to quit living in the past. Gates was wrong, got caught up in his own emotions and now he is trying to make something out of nothing. The person who really mis-spoke was the Obama for commenting on an issue that he himself admitted, he did not know all the details. Obama allowed his own bias dictate how he would view and comment on this issue. Crowley acting appropriately while conducting an investigation in to a possible break in. If Gates would have remained calm and allowed the officers to do their job none of this would have happend. Taht is a fact!
This is nonsense
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38291
This article is without a doubt the worst one I've seen on this blog. It starts with an incomplete sentence (I looked three times to find a verb) ... and proceeds downhill from there. It references, without explanation, as if "everybody knows": critical race theory, post-colonial theory and 'branding of colonized identities', whatever that means. I had to check after I started reading this to see if this was Science Blog or The Onion. Over there, at least it would have been worth a chuckle for the stilted wording making a pretense of scholarship.
This case is not one whit about "racial profiling", "stereotyping", "prejudice" or police incompetence. Based on the facts we've been given so far we had: an alert neighbor who called police to report suspicious activity at a neighbor's house; prompt police response to investigate; a completely proper demand from the officer to verify identification; withdrawal of the officer -- followed by a completely irrational and yes, race-based, blow-up from the purported "victim" in all of this, who should have been grateful that the cops showed up so promptly to protect his property. The rest of what has been written about this -- and the President's response in particular -- is total nonsense and bloviation. My hat's off to the Cambridge PD for their apparently sterling behavior in all of this so far, and kudos to Sgt. Crowley for a job well done.
Blog vs. article
July 24, 2009 by BJS, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38295
Please note, this is a reader's blog entry.
It's apparent, that "Anonymous" is not informed
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38292
Anonymous,
Your critical review is always welcome. Regardless of your background. However, I stand by my position, even if you don't understand the academic overtones.
Eugene
What I understand
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38301
Whether or not I understand your pretentious "academic overtones" (give me a break), I do understand how to write a complete sentence (properly punctuated, too), how to frame and make an argument that proceeds logically from point to point, and how to read. "Regardless of my background": how nice; you are clearly a master of the subtle put-down, too. Must be all those years in academe.
I also understand that an argument that is made on the premise of "if Sgt. Crowley was doing his job ... if the Cambridge PD stands by him, then why would the President weigh in" (assuming that the President is 'right' to do so) ... is no argument at all. I'm as informed as I ever will be from one who writes and argues as you do, sir. More informed than I wish to be, in fact.
Gates
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38294
Has anyone ever given a thought that Mr. Gates is the racist in this situation? He attitude of being "entitled" just because he is a black man in America is the type of behavior that fuels detiorating race relations in this country. The police were doing their job, and he should be thankful that they were as diligent as they were. Instead, he yelled, cussed, and insulted the very men who were looking out for his best interest.
Also, if you look at the photographs taken at the scene, there is a 3rd cop in the picture which happens to be black, but I guess that will just be ignored due to the better press related to 2 racist "Rogue" cops.
Mr. or Ms.Anonymous
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38307
In response to your subsequent response. I can only presume, due to the tone of your commentary...that you are not a minority. With this being said, it is often difficult to place yourself in someone's else shoes. There is documented evidence by USDOJ, various city agencies and independent bodies that suggest (and in some cases prove); that a correlation exist between police officer's perception of African Americans (men in particular) and the respective treatment of African Americans. This is why I mentioned the social theories that examine race relations in the blog.
The community in Cambridge, Massachusetts in question, is highly conservative. Incidentally, there is not a significant population represnted by minorities. Which seems to add credence to my argument.
Eugene
Mr. Anonymous
July 27, 2009 by Anonymous, 17 weeks 6 days ago
Comment: 38375
As a reasonably intelligent middle-aged man with some common sense and a basic understanding of why the police were called in this case and what their job was when they got to the house in question, I certainly feel like a minority. No, I'm not black and I'm not a Harvard professor, but I've been in Professor Gates' shoes and had to prove my bona fides to the police before. Understanding why this was so and allowing them to do their job made the situation tolerable and not altogether unpleasant. Once the mixup was explained we laughed and they left, no hard feelings on anyone's part. But that's what reasonably intelligent people do, and not someone -- and I'm not making any racial inferences here about "blacks in general" or even "Harvard professors" -- with a chip on his shoulder.
I think that for you to make an extrapolation from Professor Gates' manufactured anguish into making a case for adverse police responses to minorities in general was just as wrong as what the President did when he called the Cambridge police "stupid". I'll try not to use that word, as the President has gotten to it first, but there it is.
Do the police often behave badly with minorities? Yes, of course, that has been well documented. Do they always behave so badly? No. Do we need to assume that because a black man plays the race card that he trumps all? I hope not. Does this specific case bolster your generalities? Absolutely not.
As at least one other poster here has suggested, testosterone and ego probably played too large a part in all of this. Undoubtedly Sgt. Crowley has learned even more than he already knew about dealing with the public in general -- and with Harvard professors in particular. I wonder if Professor Gates has learned a thing.
Police Racism in Philadelphia needs national attention
July 23, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 3 days ago
Comment: 38279
Dear Staff,
My name is Raymond Carnation I along with two other Philadelphia Police Officer that opposed racism
against African Americans and were fired in 1999 for doing so.
The case set precedent in federal court, Myrna Moore vs. The City of Philadelphia.
Below are articles on our story and we want to ask President Obama to place police racism on our national agenda. In order for this to happen we need as much support
as possible. I hope your staff can join this campaign and write on the wide spread problem in our country. Feel free to contact me if you wish. Thank you and God Bless.
Warmest Regards,
Raymond Carnation
Philadelphia Pa. 19135
267-231-8143
around4life@aol.com
http://www.counterpunch.org/washington05162008.html
http://www.officer.com/web/online/Top-News-Stories/3-Former-Philadelphia-Officers-Win-10-Million-Lawsuit-Against-City/1$41422
http://www.wongfleming.com/blog/blog.php?id=49&nid=27
http://glendale.injuryboard.com/workplace-discrimination/-Philadelphia-police-officers-win-10-m-judgement.aspx?googleid=239622
http://www.citypaper.net/article s/060399/news.cb.unfortunate. shtml
http://oddgrlout.blogspot.com/search?q=mckenna
Racism in Police Departments Must Be on the National Agenda
By Keith Rushing
I hope that the U.S. Department of Justice in the Barack Obama administration on will he do what no ne have done before: take serious measures to end the rampant racism and abuse of power in police departments across America. OF if course, we can’t expect miracles in the span of...
URL to article: http://www .justdemocracy blog. org/?p=791
Response to Mr. Carnation
July 24, 2009 by Anonymous, 18 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38287
Mr. Carnation,
I will be in contact with you.
Kind regards,
Eugene
Hello Eugene
July 31, 2009 by Anonymous, 17 weeks 2 days ago
Comment: 38902
Hello Eugene,
when you have time feel free to call me at 267-231-8143 or email
me at around4life@aol.com. Thank you.
Warmest Regards,
Raymond Carnation