No charge, but Gates case seethes

[Forkboy]

Authorities abruptly dropped criminal charges yesterday against noted Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr., but for Gates and others, it appeared to be a case of too little, too late.

Black leaders continued to condemn the actions of a Cambridge police sergeant who handcuffed the African-American professor outside his own home Thursday. Gates extended an unusual offer to the officer: in exchange for an apology, personal tutoring sessions on the history of racism in America.

Gates, still angry five days after his arrest, broke his silence yesterday to chastise Cambridge police for his treatment, dispute their assertion that he had made inflammatory remarks during the encounter, and seized upon his brief incarceration as a teaching moment on race relations, not only for Cambridge, but for the nation.

“I believe the police officer should apologize to me for what he knows he did that was wrong,’’ Gates said in a phone interview from Martha’s Vineyard. “If he apologizes sincerely, I am willing to forgive him. And if he admits his error, I am willing to educate him about the history of racism in America and the issue of racial profiling.

“That’s what I do for a living,’’ he added.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/07/22/no_charge_but_gates_case_seethes/

LOL...I like his offer. :)

[mix]

1. As it should.

[Forkboy]

3. An article yesterday said Gates wasn't the first black Harvard prof this has happened to.

Same thing happened in 2004. They didn't seem to learn much then. Maybe this time they will, but I'm not holding my breath.

[EFerrari]

2. They couldn't have pulled this on anyone more able to turn it around

if they'd hired a consultant and planned a whole campaign.

OOPS!

lol

[Forkboy]

4. No kidding!

:hi:

[Jeep789]

5. I'm still confused

Since when is making inflammatory remarks in your own home illegal? Whatever happened to the right to privacy? If one's home isn't private, what is? Everyone, no matter their race should be frightened by this.