Recently, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., a Harvard University professor, was arrested at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts and charged with disorderly conduct. Gates, who is African-American, had just returned from a trip to China. As the front door of his home would not open, Gates entered through his back door. He could not however, open the front door even from the inside. Gates went back outside, and with help from his driver, forced the front door open.
In a subsequent release of the recorded 911 call, the caller can be heard reporting a possible burglary, stating in part, “they had to use their shoulder to try and barge in, and they got in”. The caller also stated at one point that she noticed “two suitcases” and was “not sure if these are two individuals who live there”.
What happened next is in question. According to the police report, Officer Crowley arrived on the scene and asked Gates to step outside, and he refused. The report also states that Gates initially refused to provide ID and that he accused the officers of racial bias. Gates’ version is much different. According to him, when he went inside to get his ID, the officer followed him inside without permission. Gates says he provided both his license and his Harvard ID, identifying him as residing there. Gates says he repeatedly asked the officer for his name and badge number, but the officer did not provide it. Gates said the officer asked him to step outside, where he was subsequently arrested for disorderly conduct.
The charges against Gates have already been dropped, but the firestorm of controversy still remains heated. Officer Crowley has publicly stated he will not apologize for his actions. In a recent interview, President Obama said he did not know “what role race played” in the incident, but that “the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof they were in their own home”.
My question to you this week is “Do you think the police officer’s conduct was wrong? Why or why not? Do you think the police still use racial profiling?” Answers are due no later than Monday, August 3rd, 2009.
Yes, I do believe the police officer's conduct was wrong. If the man had proof he lived there then there should have been no question. Not all police use racial profiling, but I believe some still do, and it's not just police. Recently there was a case in Indiana where the SWOT team broke into a house and was accusing an elderly couple of something they were innocent; the SWOT had kicked down the door. Obviously they were in the wrong house, but went about it in a horrible way. I'm not sure if it was racial profiling, but it may have been. Racial profiling exists a little bit in almost everywhere, and is suspected to have been the case during Hurricane Katrina. It's sad, but it is still out there.
ReplyDelete--Kristen Rice
Over the years, I've learned to reserve my opinion about situations until I know the facts. There is a saying: "By your words, are you justified; and by your words, are you condemned." In my life thus far, I've stated a- many- a thing that I've eigther regretted, or benifitted from. So you can be honest, but you have to be careful of what you say. Yes, the officer was wrong, and yes, some police officers conduct racial profiling. 1. No officer has the right to enter anyone's home (black or white) without a search warrent. 2. In this case: If not racial profiling; certainly disrespect, and breaking the law (on the officer's part), and there is a reason for that. This case is a no brainer, even if the charges where'nt dropped against Mr. Gates.
ReplyDelete-Richard Johnson
I believe the police officer's actions were wrong. If the officer did enter Gate's house as stated, he went against the laws since he did not have a search warrant. Obviously, none of us know for sure if the officer used racial profiling, only he himself does. We could assume, but we have no proof. I feel that the officer took wrong measures in this circumstance.
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe that in this case the police officer was in the wrong. I would have to agree with Richard Johnson on this matter. If there was proof that this man owned this house, then there was no probable cause for the police officer to have entered the house. I believe that racial profiling is not as extreme today as what it has been in the past, but unfortunetly, I do believe that it does still exist today. On another note though, what kind of person doesn't even recognize their own neighbor? I'm not saying that I am really socialable with my own neighbors, but I have seen them enough to know who they are and what house they live in. It seems to me like they all need to get together and have a meet and greet block party to get to know one another.
ReplyDeleteOf course racial profiling still exists, as does profiling of any kind, whether its age, or sex or by the way a person dresses. It is a sad fact of life and unfortunately as long as there is different groups of people in the world there will always be profiling and discrimination. As for what happened that day, as soon as the gentlemen proved that he was the occupant of that home, the cop should have left and gone about his business. Clearly, no laws were being broken.
ReplyDeleteI don't see any reason why the police officer would need to barge into Mr. Gate's house without consent. This definitely sounds fishy. This kind of reminds me of the movie called "Crash." Where prejudice, rascim, hatred and you name it is discovered and expericed through various lives that all linked together in the end for a better good. Unfortunately, I believe that there is social profiling still carried out today. Do I believe in it? No. It's terrible but I do think that those who believe in it think it's clearly okay and they are entitled to act any way they want towards certain social groups. In no way do I think Mr. Gates should have been harrased while trying to "break" into his own home due to that fact that the door was jammed. Granted, his neighbor must have been unsure of who he was and didn't realize that he lived there, got scared, and called the police to handle matters that realistically should have been never spoke of. Mr. Gates was getting into his OWN HOME. Mr. Gates is entitled to his own rights as a homeowner until proven guilty. I would like to learn more about the specific rights we have in times like these.
ReplyDeleteI think the police officer's conduct was very wrong. Since it was stated in the 911 call that they possibly lived there, the officer could have been a little more respectful. He should have stayed at the door and waited, and then once he saw his ID he should have apologized and left the scene. It is hard to say if police still use racial profiling because who knows how this officer would have acted in the same situation with a caucasian man. However since I am not blind, I would have to assume that racial profiling still takes place in the police force more often than not.
ReplyDeletesorry the comment above was by casey frederick.
ReplyDeleteI belive that this police officer definintly acted like an idiot, but i do not know if was a action conducted because of racial profiling. I come from a town that has a horrible reputation for being racist. Although my immediate family is not racist i can say that the majority of my family is racist. I know for a fact that racial profiling exsist today not just in the police force but in all establishments. It is obvious that our Country as a whole have come a long way in matters of racial profiling. Unfortunately i feel that this issue will never go away. It does not matter if we are discussing race,gender,religion or even just a life style. There will always be discrimination. As an individual I try my best to keep any sterotypes away from my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I believe that racial profiling does exist. Not being there makes it hard to comment on. If there had supposedly been two men at the scene and now there is only one to be found, I would think the officer was following the suspect for either his own safety, weapons are easy to lay to the side and two"suspects" could overpower one officer. I would think the officer was following some type of protocal, which would upset some people. I can see how this would add to the situation with Mr.Gates who has unfortunately probably been profiled many times in life and is possibly sensitive to it. I think this was just a case of two wrongs don't make a right.
ReplyDeleteI believe racial profiling still exists because we continue to have the Jesse Jacksons and Al Sharptons; and on the flip side all of the idiots that scream that caucasions are not the "primary" race anymore. This is the year 2009, we have figured out that all people, women, men, black, and white are all equal. The problem lies with the people that continue to spew into our ears through the media that there is still racial issues. Police officers walk into situations every day where there life is in danger; they can't be lax in their judgement. The officer did what he did for his safety and to keep the other officers with him safe. Recently there have been numerous situations of officers walking into bad situations and I'm sure this was on the officers mind at the time of this incident. Also, in the report for this incident it stated that Mr. Gates acted in a way that was forceful and obstructive, not allowing the officers to discuss the matter. I am not saying they needed to take him into jail for questioning, but it is protocal and they were doing what they felt was best for the safety of themselves and Mr. Gates.
ReplyDeleteI believe racial profiling still exists, not to the extent it once did. I do believe because of America's history with slavery that despite the generations that have gone by where racisim has improved, we are all still affected by it.
ReplyDeleteFactor in the poverty level and the statistics of crimes committed by certain demographics you're asking for issues, because of preconcieved notions or the "facts". Not to meantion that you have individual attitudes that can come into play and it can easily become a "racial issue," even if it was never meant to be that way.
Someone can scream "I'm being discriminated against," or "it's because I'm ...." that I was discriminated against. And the truth maybe just the opposite, it maybe because the person was acting like a jerk, the or police officer was taking his "authority" overboard due to his/her attitude.
Either way, if the man had proof this was his house and he belonged there I think maybe the officer should have just let it go, even if the man was being a jerk.
I think that the officers actions were wrong. After two forms of identification were shown there should of been no questions asked about why he was trying to get his own house open. I think racial profiling still exist but not in every situation. Some people take it too far and just use that as an excuse.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I'm not sure in this case because it's one person's word against another. I would need to know more facts than what was provided, like the background of both parties. It's possible for it to be racial profiling and I do believe that it exists.In this case it is unclear to me. Trina Evans
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what side is telling the truth. So in this case I don't know whether to say who was in the wrong. However, if the police did unrightfully accuse him after he had shown his information and confirmed that he was in his own house, then I believe that the police officer's conduct was out of line. No one wants to look bad in the actions they do so it is hard telling who is telling the truth on this one. Also, I do still believe there is some racial profiling. Not near as much as there used to be but I would say there is some.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is not certain who was telling the truth in this case I believe that the officer responding to the 911 call acted in an incorrect manner. It is a sad fact that racial profiling still exists today. However, with the facts given in the case it is impossible to assume whether the man who was unfairly treated was treated so because of his race. The officer should have acted more civil for anyone, whether they are black or white.
ReplyDeleteYes, the officers conduct seemed to be wrong. It was probably a case of racial profiling. Of course it still exists today. It sounds like the officer was racist.
ReplyDelete-Heather R. Davis
Because there are two very different sides to this story, it is hard to make a judgment call but if the police officer did simply barge into the home then he acted inappropriately. Two forms of ID were presented which should have been more than sufficient to prove that the man was who he said he was and he lived in the home.
ReplyDeleteI believe that racial profiling does still exist and that people of different races continue to be stereotyped. It is the year 2009 yet we still continue to act ignorant when it comes to race.
I believe that racial profiling still exists in more places than just the police force mainly due to ignorance. Now, whether or not racial profiling was used in this specific case, I do not know. I do not know the officer and how he feels about the different races that inhabit the country and whether or not he lets that effect his job. The cop was in the wrong however. Without a search warrant he cannot legally enter that house and even after the initial entrance, should have dropped it and left after the man proved he broke into his own house. The arrest could be classified as an abuse of power.
ReplyDelete-Josh Hollandsworth
The Gates ordeal is one that is typical. The reason that it has become typical is because we still profile people. And as Damon said it is apparent that racial profiling still exists. It is unfortuenate that it does but just like stereotypes it comes down to the fact that alot of times its true. I do believe that profiling is wrong becaue there are as many "white trash, meth heads" that commit crimes as all the others. All in all it just comes down to the fact that we have trained ourselves to see in stereotypes, color, race and creed, and make the distinction that usually stereotyping and profiling are true.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the cops actions at the crime scene, there are protocal that you have to follow when working with a suspect/offender. I do believe that the decision to arrest him was extremely out of bounds and totally unecessary. The officer should be repremanded for his actions because they bring question to the subject of profiling and he did not have just cause to arrest the man. On a further note, a formal letter should have been written and the ordeal been put to rest. However though the department released him and dropped charges but the damage was done and that was the end of it. The ordeal was totally mismanaged and I personally feel sorry for the gentleman.
J. Chambers
Although I do believe racial profiling still exists I think the officer was just doing his job. I believe both men could have handled the situation better. Seems that when the officer wanted to see ID and he entered the home ,Mr. Gates became upset while the officer was just doing what he is paid to do by following simple procedures. If any one of us were to have a run in with the law and just gave him/her attitude for doing their job I'm pretty sure the law is going to win everytime regardless of skin color. I just think that because the officer is white and he arrested a black man (regardless if he is a Harvard grad)he is judged by being a racist whether that is true or not.
ReplyDeleteAlicia Jacobs
How the whole incident unfolded is up in the air, since neither side is in agreement on what happened. So it is hard to say. But I believe that he was just doing his job. He has to inspect the house because of the call, and if the 911 call says two people were seen forcing the door open, it be seen as probable cause for the officer to enter. I think that there are a lot people that are racist, of every color. Minorities tend to think that they are free from racism because they are in the minority. It is a mindset for a lot of people that they can't move from. This case seems like it is blown out of proportion. The officer was doing his job. End of story.
ReplyDelete-Nicholas Alexander
I do believe racial profiling is still going on today and is wrong. It's hard to make an opinon on the officers actions because we don't know what is true and what is not. I also don't know the rules the officer goes by. At my jobs, I have found out there are certain procedures you do that you have to do that might seem wrong, but are actually the right thing to do. I had to turn down an old lady today who wanted help ,because if I did what she wanted, it would put her in an unsafe environment, and she didn't understand how it would be unsafe. I explained it to her, but she was convinced I was just lazy and didn't want to work. So it's hard to comment on the actions of the officer. Guns and weapons are easier than ever to hide. It's hard to make a decision on the officers action.
ReplyDelete-Zach Karnes
It isn't just the police using racial profiling but everyone. Everyone is guilty of it even if it's just something like working in a restaurant where most waitresses will tell you black people don't tip well. This guy was just in the right place at the wrong time. Apparently it was his place and if he wasn't doing anything wrong then yes the police officer is definitely wrong to have treated him the way he did.
ReplyDeleteI think that the officers could have followed protocal better, and actually look up who owns the home. I f they did that in the first place then none of this would have happened. Yes, I believe police still use racial profiling, and abuse of authority. An officer is not permitted to come inside without permision, and I see stuff like this happening more and more everyday.
ReplyDeleteYes i do think that the cops conduct was wrong because Gates had proof of him living there and should have never been arrested. I also think that in some towns, cities, and states that the police still use racial profiling and that it is wrong to be bias on any persons race or color.
ReplyDelete(Sigh) yes and no, yes because the cops reacted to what they thought as someone burglarizing a house, but no, because they didn't look into the matter more. They took the so called witnesses word, rather then seeing if someone was actually trying to break into the house, or the person who was persumably trying to break may have been the inhabitant all along. And seeing as the was ignorant enough to not be sorry for his actions, I believe that in itself was enough to say that his conduct was wrong, and I agree. This is Howard from Friday night class.
ReplyDelete