The “Skip” Gates Incident Opens The Door For Dialogue

The controversy surrounding the Dr. Henry Louis (Skip) Gates arrest has caused heated tension and much needed discussion on race relations in the United States.  Even President Obama chimed in to make his comments about the situation.  Whether you support the actions of the police or the rights of Dr. Gates, a few things are crystal clear whether you know the whole story or just bits and pieces of what has come out in the media.  First, an incident such as this should not have to be the precursor to our conversation regarding race relations.   Second, there is a definite problem in our perceptions.  It seems one group of people see things one way and another group see things totally differently.  Unbelievably, the disagreements cross racial lines.  Some believe the police did nothing wrong.  Others believe it was a clear-cut case of racial profiling.  Still others are caught in the middle and don’t know what to think.

I have read the officer’s report but have not heard the side of Dr. Gates.  From what I have read, Dr. Gates was initially upset and angry that in his own home he was asked to provide identification.  His neighbor called the police when she saw “two black men with backpacks.”  It seems Dr. Gates and his chauffeur were trying to get his front door open when he arrived home from an overseas trip to find the door stuck.  It had been tampered with in a previous break in attempt.  The policeman holds to his story that he has done NO WRONG, was not racial profiling nor will he ever apologize for his actions.  He also makes it well known that he teaches has black friends and teaches classes on curbing racial profiling to officers.

Dr. Gates was born in West Virginia in 1950.  He attended Yale University and graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree summa cum laude.  He then was the first African American to receive the Andrew W. Mellon foundations fellowship.  He then attended the University of Cambridge, Clare College and finally earned his PhD.  He went on to teach at Yale but when he was denied tenure after nine years, he left.  He then taught at Cornell, Duke and finally Harvard where he is currently a professor.

There are always two sides to a story.  Whether you aide with the police in order to uphold the law and protect and serve or you believe it was a simple case of racial profiling,, both men tell the story from their own perspective.  Who can tell Skip Gates that he shouldn’t have overreacted when he may have felt his life was in danger.  Likewise, who can tell the Lieutenant on the scene that he overreacted by arresting Dr. Gates.  Both feel justified from their own perspectives.  Who can invalidate Dr Gates’ story?  How do you think you would feel required to identify yourself and continue to be probed in your own home knowing you have committed no crime?  What a humiliating, embarrassing, and violating moment for Dr. Gates!  I believe that’s where the anger came in.  But is it a crime to become angry or upset when being questioned by the police?  Certainly we would grant him the justice due every citizen:  the right to free speech.

Until you walk a mile in Henry Louis Gates’ shoes, you will never know what he was thinking at the time.  You could never know his personal life experience.  Our past experiences shape how we handle situations and no one possesses the personal experience of another!!  We are shaped by our experiences.  In regard to the racial climate in Cambridge, you would need to talk to a native.

While I truly understand the viewpoint of the lieutenant, maybe becoming upset because he was being yelled at and asked for a badge number and at times being ignored, but did that constitute an arrest?  Was there a threat involved by Dr. Gates’ presence?  He is a 59-year-old man that walks with a cane.  Obviously not.   If this lieutenant stands by his story and will never apologize, why did the Cambridge Police Department agree to drop a solid case against someone who was, “Disrupting the peace.”  I have quite a few policemen as friends and I realize and understand they need to protect themselves at all costs and make it back home to their families, but what gives?  Why did this officer take him to jail?

Not long ago, President Obama admonished black America not to search for handouts or favors, but to “seize” your own future, each and every day.  Dr. Gates was the complete embodiment of what Obama meant.  If nothing else, it must be a huge disappointment to realize that no matter what level of success you achieve, some will always perceive you to be a predator in our society.  Certainly they are not treating Harvard college professors of other races in this manner.

The extensive dialogue that has come as a result of this incident has been widespread to say the least.  It is good when subjects such as this come up and inspires around the world conversations about race and how people feel about one another.  It’s just unfortunate that it takes an incident of this magnitude to begin the discussion.

Only God knows the hearts of the two men involved in this incident.  He knows hearts, minds and especially intent.  In the meantime, the Bible says,  ”Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)  That means we must be careful to follow the scriptures and let God’s word, not our opinions be the standard of those judgments.  God will be the final judge. He will have the final say.

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