Harvard professor arrested, accuses police of racism

[Ex Coelis]

NEW YORK - An acclaimed black US scholar accused a police officer in Cambridge, Massachusetts of racism for investigating reports of a break-in as he entered his own house, after which he was arrested, police records showed Monday.

Henry Louis Gates, 58, considered a preeminent professor of African American studies at the prestigious Harvard University, was charged with disorderly conduct. Police cited his "loud and tumultuous behavior."

Gates was seen by a passing woman to be attempting entry to the front door of his house -- which was damaged -- along with another black man, according to the police report from July 16.

The woman alerted the police and by the time a uniformed officer arrived Gates was inside his home and reporting the faulty door to the Harvard Real Estate office, said a statement later released by Gates' lawyer, Charles Ogletree.

The other man at the scene was Gates' hired driver.

"Professor Gates informed the officer that he lived there and was a faculty member at Harvard University," Ogletree said.

According to the police report, Gates repeatedly told officers at the scene that "this is what happens to black men in America."

After the professor, according to the police report, kept on "yelling" at the officer and loudly protesting the situation to passersby, he was arrested.

Gates, who in 1997 was declared to be one of the 25 most influential people of the United States by Time Magazine, also repeatedly told the officer that he had "no idea who (he) was 'messing' with," the police said.

After Gates had provided the officer his Harvard University identification card and his driver's license to prove who he was and where he lived, he stepped outside his house after being asked to do so, Gates' lawyer said.

The officer who examined his identification "said to him, 'Thank you for accommodating my earlier request,' and then placed Professor Gates under arrest.

"He was handcuffed on his own front porch," Gates' lawyer said.

After spending four hours in police custody, the professor was released and is expected to be arraigned in court on August 26.

Gates is "hopeful" this matter will be resolved promptly, he said through his lawyer.
as of 07/21/2009 10:38 PM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/world/07/21/09/harvard-professor-arrested-accuses-police-racism

---------------------------------------------


this story makes me laugh

the police were responding to a legitimate call and instead of cooperating with them, the guy makes a scene

racism? come on . . .

[Per Se]

NEW YORK - An acclaimed black US scholar accused a police officer in Cambridge, Massachusetts of racism for investigating reports of a break-in as he entered his own house, after which he was arrested, police records showed Monday.

Henry Louis Gates, 58, considered a preeminent professor of African American studies at the prestigious Harvard University, was charged with disorderly conduct. Police cited his "loud and tumultuous behavior."

Gates was seen by a passing woman to be attempting entry to the front door of his house -- which was damaged -- along with another black man, according to the police report from July 16.

The woman alerted the police and by the time a uniformed officer arrived Gates was inside his home and reporting the faulty door to the Harvard Real Estate office, said a statement later released by Gates' lawyer, Charles Ogletree.

The other man at the scene was Gates' hired driver.

"Professor Gates informed the officer that he lived there and was a faculty member at Harvard University," Ogletree said.

According to the police report, Gates repeatedly told officers at the scene that "this is what happens to black men in America."

After the professor, according to the police report, kept on "yelling" at the officer and loudly protesting the situation to passersby, he was arrested.

Gates, who in 1997 was declared to be one of the 25 most influential people of the United States by Time Magazine, also repeatedly told the officer that he had "no idea who (he) was 'messing' with," the police said.

After Gates had provided the officer his Harvard University identification card and his driver's license to prove who he was and where he lived, he stepped outside his house after being asked to do so, Gates' lawyer said.

The officer who examined his identification "said to him, 'Thank you for accommodating my earlier request,' and then placed Professor Gates under arrest.

"He was handcuffed on his own front porch," Gates' lawyer said.

After spending four hours in police custody, the professor was released and is expected to be arraigned in court on August 26.

Gates is "hopeful" this matter will be resolved promptly, he said through his lawyer.
as of 07/21/2009 10:38 PM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/world/07/21/09/harvard-professor-arrested-accuses-police-racism

---------------------------------------------


this story makes me laugh

the police were responding to a legitimate call and instead of cooperating with them, the guy makes a scene

racism? come on . . .

Makes you laugh huh?  I'm pleased it amuses you. 
An esteemed gentleman, a scholar at that is arrested just for walking into his own home.
And YES it is racism.

[ManBearPig...]

Makes you laugh huh?  I'm pleased it amuses you. 
An esteemed gentleman, a scholar at that is arrested just for walking into his own home.
And YES is is racism.

um, the version of the story i heard was that the officer asked him to come outside and show ID, and he responded with "i'll come outside to see yo momma"  (not kidding).

can someone dig up the cop's report ?  i think he wrote it in there.

[PANDAEMONIUM]

Makes you laugh huh?  I'm pleased it amuses you. 
An esteemed gentleman, a scholar at that is arrested just for walking into his own home.
And YES it is racism.

 

[Matt C]

Whoa, so if I'm seen breaking into a home, police will arrest me?  Who knew!

Nope, must be racism. 

[danielson]

If the guy wasn't a "scholar" it wouldn't be news.

[BanksMcgee]

Makes you laugh huh?  I'm pleased it amuses you. 
An esteemed gentleman, a scholar at that is arrested just for walking into his own home.
And YES it is racism.

You know what makes me laugh, "Australia bodybuilding" with 2 none Australians.

[tendonitis]

has there been one black person in all of recorded history that's been arrested and didn't blame it on racism

[danielson]

has there been one black person in all of recorded history that's been arrested and didn't blame it on racism

Chuck Barkley. He just wanted a blowjob.

[body88]

This might have some legs.  I've lived in Boston for most of my life, and it's a very segregated city.  That said, this guy seems like he's pulling the race card.

[BayGBM]

I used to live in Cambridge.  I know Skip.  Although I was never a student in his class, I attended several of his seminars.  He is a brilliant and likeable guy.  I do not believe for a minute that he was engaging in "loud and tumultuous behavior."  The guy is 58 and physically, he is a mouse.

I am sorry have read about what happened to him, but (and this may sound counterintuitive) it is important that these things (also) happen to prominent, successful people rather than to anonymous, poor people.  Police have a lot of power and often get to exercise it without consequence.  Skip has already said he is going to use this episode as inspiration for a documentary on racial profiling.  I look forward to that finished product.  He has got a great work ethic and knows hot to turn lemons into lemon-aid.  Although I never had any run ins with the police when I lived in Cambridge, their reputation was well known.   

[Dos Equis]

I don't know to what extent race played a role in this, but if the story is accurate this was a really bad decision by the cop.  

[Princess L]

I don't know to what extent race played a role in this, but if the story is accurate this was a really bad decision by the cop.  

Yep.  Poor judgement for sure.



Charge Dropped Against Harvard Professor Arrested After Robbery Mix-Up

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,534203,00.html?test=latestnews

[splinterhands]

 The cops were responding to a call of a break in.  Unless they knew the guy personally, they had to run his ID.  Mr. Gates is the one that starting pulling the race card and resisting their investigation.  The cops wouldn't have done anything different if he was white, Mexican, Asian or a woman.  You show your ID, explain the situation and thank them for coming out.  Unless of course, you're a famous black man then you throw a big scene and show how racist the cops are for investigating someone breaking into YOUR house.

[Matt C]

You know what makes me laugh, "Australia bodybuilding" with 2 none Australians.

They spelled "Austrian" wrong.

[Parker]

um, the version of the story i heard was that the officer asked him to come outside and show ID, and he responded with "i'll come outside to see yo momma"  (not kidding).

can someone dig up the cop's report ?  i think he wrote it in there.

Dude, Henry Gates is unmistakeable---and he is world reknowned

Whoa, so if I'm seen breaking into a home, police will arrest me?  Who knew!

Nope, must be racism. 

His own home, you dolt. And he reported the door broken. The fact that ou could even question the deal, shows your complete lack of knowledge and ignorance...One day it will come back to haunt you.

The cops were responding to a call of a break in.  Unless they knew the guy personally, they had to run his ID.  Mr. Gates is the one that starting pulling the race card and resisting their investigation.  The cops wouldn't have done anything different if he was white, Mexican, Asian or a woman.  You show your ID, explain the situation and thank them for coming out.  Unless of course, you're a famous black man then you throw a big scene and show how racist the cops are for investigating someone breaking into YOUR house.

If he's famous, and he's known why do they need ID? Your words. Yeah, would you arrest Michael Jordan getting into his home...Or call for back up for a unknown, tall black man entering MJ's house.

The series that put him on the Map
http://www.pbs.org/wonders/BehindSc/behind.htm

[body88]

Dude, Henry Gates is unmistakeable---and he is world reknowned
His own home, you dolt. And he reported the door broken. The fact that ou could even question the deal, shows your complete lack of knowledge and ignorance...One day it will come back to haunt you.


If he's famous, and he's known why do they need ID? Your words. Yeah, would you arrest Michael Jordan getting into his home...Or call for back up for a unknown, tall black man entering MJ's house.

The series that put him on the Map
http://www.pbs.org/wonders/BehindSc/behind.htm

I've looked at all the facts.  The police officer was responsding to a call from a neighbor that two men were trying to break into the professor's home.  It was the professor and his driver trying to pry open the door.  This area has had 9 attempted break in's over the last month.  When the officer arrived at the scene, and asked the professor questions from afar, the professor refused to answer him directly and gave him an attitude.  He then started going on and on about race and all that.

While I think that the officer could have handled the situation A Lot better, most of the uproar over this issue is from people who are uneducated on the true facts of the story and they are looking for a reason to call the cops racist   Be honest Parker, you get all giddy when you can rail the cops for something.  People here are the same way.  Just another example of the excuse making culture we live in today.  Maybe if this intellectual was smart enough to control his temper, none of this would have happened.  If you look at the facts from the case (and take into account this guys attitude and the recent rash of attempted burglaries in the area, it makes a lot more sense).  That said, he's going to milk it for all its worth.

Thats the truth.

[mass 04]

I've looked at all the facts.  The police officer was responsding to a call from a neighbor that two men were trying to break into the professor's home.  It was the professor and his driver trying to pry open the door.  This area has had 9 attempted break in's over the last month.  When the officer arrived at the scene, and asked the professor questions from afar, the professor refused to answer him directly and gave him an attitude.  He then started going on and on about race and all that.

While I think that the officer could have handled the situation better, most of the uproar over this issue is from people who are uneducated on the true facts of the story and looking for a reason to call the cops racist    Be honest Parker, you get all giddy when you can rail the cops for something.  People here are the same way.

Thats the truth.

He's one of the biggest racists on here.

[body88]

He's one of the biggest racists on here.

Shocker.

[Eyeball Chambers]

I don't understand why this is a black/white issue, and not a Civilian/Officer issue? 

[Ex Coelis]

I've looked at all the facts.  The police officer was responsding to a call from a neighbor that two men were trying to break into the professor's home.  It was the professor and his driver trying to pry open the door.  This area has had 9 attempted break in's over the last month.  When the officer arrived at the scene, and asked the professor questions from afar, the professor refused to answer him directly and gave him an attitude.  He then started going on and on about race and all that.

While I think that the officer could have handled the situation A Lot better, most of the uproar over this issue is from people who are uneducated on the true facts of the story and they are looking for a reason to call the cops racist   Be honest Parker, you get all giddy when you can rail the cops for something.  People here are the same way.  Just another example of the excuse making culture we live in today.  Maybe if this intellectual was smart enough to control his temper, none of this would have happened.  If you look at the facts from the case (and take into account this guys attitude and the recent rash of attempted burglaries in the area, it makes a lot more sense).  That said, he's going to milk it for all its worth.

Thats the truth.

excellent post

I guess playing the race card was a stronger instinct than cooperating with police . . .

[body88]

I used to live in Cambridge.  I know Skip.  Although I was never a student in his class, I attended several of his seminars.  He is a brilliant and likeable guy.  I do not believe for a minute that he was engaging in "loud and tumultuous behavior."  The guy is 58 and physically, he is a mouse.

I am sorry have read about what happened to him, but (and this may sound counterintuitive) it is important that these things (also) happen to prominent, successful people rather than to anonymous, poor people.  Police have a lot of power and often get to exercise it without consequence.  Skip has already said he is going to use this episode as inspiration for a documentary on racial profiling.  I look forward to that finished product.  He has got a great work ethic and knows hot to turn lemons into lemon-aid.  Although I never had any run ins with the police when I lived in Cambridge, their reputation was well known.   

I think your full of shit, Bay.  First, Cambridge is one of the most liberal and diverse parts of MA.  It's filled with foreign college students, and the Cambridge police are not "well known" for anything.  Second, your friend Skip refused to produce an i.d when the officer (who was responding to a 911 call from a neighbor), asked for it.  Skip then began to act disorderly and started ranting and raving about race when the officer asked again for his i.d.  Why not produce an i.d?  Surly Skip would understand the officer's concern since he was responding to a 911 call, and since there have been 9 robbery attempts in the same neighborhood over the last month.  Did Skip mention that his home was actually broken into recently?  Third, why weren't the Latin and African American officers who showed up to the scene minutes after the white officer mentioned in all of this?  I heard a cut from an interview that Skip did today...he said: I would tell the officer to beg for my forgiveness and if I felt like it was sincere, I would forgive him".  He sounds like a dolt....not a Harvard educated scholar.  I wonder if he will write a fat check for the poor African American's in the area when he gets his millions, (oh yes, he might sue)....

Just another example of a man with a short fuse pulling the race card when he loses control.  Produce an i.d for the officer when he asks and this isn't even a story.

The most powerful man in MA, the Gov, (Duval Patrick)- is a black man.  Cut the shit, Bay.  I'd buy into this if it happened in southie, but not liberal Cambridge.  As the facts of the story mount, I shake my head more and more.  You're friend Skip sounds like a douch.

[Parker]

He's one of the biggest racists on here.

 . Never said anything racist...You don't don't know what racism is...

I've looked at all the facts.  The police officer was responsding to a call from a neighbor that two men were trying to break into the professor's home.  It was the professor and his driver trying to pry open the door.  This area has had 9 attempted break in's over the last month.  When the officer arrived at the scene, and asked the professor questions from afar, the professor refused to answer him directly and gave him an attitude.  He then started going on and on about race and all that.

While I think that the officer could have handled the situation A Lot better, most of the uproar over this issue is from people who are uneducated on the true facts of the story and they are looking for a reason to call the cops racist   Be honest Parker, you get all giddy when you can rail the cops for something.  People here are the same way.  Just another example of the excuse making culture we live in today.  Maybe if this intellectual was smart enough to control his temper, none of this would have happened.  If you look at the facts from the case (and take into account this guys attitude and the recent rash of attempted burglaries in the area, it makes a lot more sense).  That said, he's going to milk it for all its worth.

Thats the truth.

Gates provided his Harvard ID and his driver's license and he was still arrested... He asked for the Offficer's badge number and the officer being  unprofessional,  refused. Maybe if the cops were smart enough to see that the pictures match and that his valid Mass. ID had his ADDRESS , this wouldn't have happened. And who here would not be upset for gaining access to your own home, seeing the police, showing ID, officer refusing to show ID, and still being arrest for burglary. That would make any of you guys hot. And judging by the way many of you meltdown on here, it might have been worse for you guys.   

[body88]

. Never said anything racist...You don't don't know what racism is...

Why, because he's not African American? 

Gates provided his Harvard ID and his driver's license and he was still arrested...

No he didn't, not as first.  Infact, when the officer asked him to step outside to talk Gates said: "I'll step outside to talk to your momma".  Why don't you read Gates' blog? Gates says himself that he refused to accommodate any of the officers requests.  I don't expect you to know what actually happened, anyway.  According to the facts: Gates was combative and insulting from the get go.  Why not just step outside and show your i.d?  Why take it to the next level and act like a thug?  The officer got a 911 call, why act like he's picking on you for no reason?  Gates' tune would have been different if the cops caught the guy who broke into his home before.

He asked for the Officer's badge number and the officer being  unprofessional,  refused. Maybe if the cops were smart enough to see that the pictures match and that his valid Mass. ID had his ADDRESS , this wouldn't have happened. And who here would not be upset for gaining access to your own home, seeing the police, showing ID, officer refusing to show ID, and still being arrest for burglary. That would make any of you guys hot. And judging by the way many of you meltdown on here, it might have been worse for you guys.   

Another lie.  Thats not how it went.  Gates was asked several times by the officer to produce an i.d.  The officer recieved a 911 call from a neighbor, in an area that has had 9 burglary's over the last month. It was dark, it was late and the officer had no idea who Gates was.  Why can't you understand that?  You act as if the officer strolled by while Gates was trying to get into his home and gave him trouble.  Stop lying!  By Gates own admission, he refused to show the officer an i.d or to step outside to talk when he first arrived on the scene.  He then became combative and "disorderly" with the officer.  Judging by your lack of knowledge on this case, it seems that you look for excuses to spout off at "the man".  Gates was arrested for being an asshole to a guy that was trying to do his job.  Gates' home was broken into recently and this is how he acts?  This is nothing more than a big time African American pulling the race card after he lost control. 

[Grape Ape]

Phenomenal stuff, 88.

It's true, the timeline of this thing is getting incredibly distorted.  You can even hear it on the radio up here - people keep giving their own version of what happened and keep ignoring the facts that have been presented.