Racists and real men of genius: The Gates-Crowley-Obama Drama
“Now, I don’t know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what role race played in that. But I think it’s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home; and, number three, what I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there’s a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. That’s just a fact,” Obama said.
“That doesn’t lessen the incredible progress that has been made,” he added. “I am standing here as testimony to the progress that’s been made. And yet the fact of the matter is, is that, you know, this still haunts us. And even when there are honest misunderstandings, the fact that blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently and often time for no cause casts suspicion even when there is good cause. And that’s why I think the more that we’re working with local law enforcement to improve policing techniques so that we’re eliminating potential bias, the safer everybody is going to be.”
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What in the world is the big damn deal in saying THAT? Are people TRULY mad because he used the word “stupid?” Other than that, his entire statement was diplomatic, logical, and factual. Not malicious.
He didn’t call anyone racist; he said he didn’t know what race had to do with anything. And besides, it’s no secret that police officers act STUPID all the time. I bet you yourself have referred to a cop in a negative way…we ALL HAVE. And I think the incident was dumb, has been overblown, and the backlash from Obama responding to a question is astounding.
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I joke about race all the time. I make fun of everybody, and black people are probably my favorite to stereotype (and white folk). But when it comes to genuine, deep-seeded, legitimately blatant racism, it honestly shudders me to the core.
The comments that Barack Obama is a racist is preposterous. Are we forgetting that he is just as white as he is black? So…he hates half of himself? He hates his mother and her side of the family? Have we forgotten how much Obama stresses the fact that we unite as one people? Because he used the word “stupid” in describing stupid behavior?
If the arrest was legitimate, why did they drop the charges?
Is America really afraid of a black president?
My. God.
But should I be surprised? Probably not.
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He was giving a press conference on his main focus right now–healthcare. He was asked for his opinion by a reporter. Was he supposed to say, “No comment?” He’s been transparent in disclosing his relationship with his pal “Skip” Gates, and I think in his statement, he chose his words well for being put on the spot during a meeting that was about something entirely different.
And there have been so many “official accounts” of the incident that it makes my head spin. Perhaps both sides in this case haven’t been 100% honest. SOMEbody’s stretching the truth here, considering the conflicting reports. Did Gates show only his Harvard ID or both his license and ID? Did Gates say something about the sergeant’s mama, or was the officer being overly aggressive? Police officers can be arrogant.
Either way, the man was in his house and how are you gonna arrest someone for breaking into their house when they’ve proved it’s their house. It’s not a question of a man being arrested in his home for a domestic dispute or some other errant thing, because yes, that happens all the time. It happened at my house growing up.
And just a bit of speculation…why don’t the neighbors know one another? Sure, my neighborhood is a little smaller and our houses are close together, but I recognize pretty much everyone on my block; especially my next door neighbors.
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This is more than week-old news, but everybody’s had something to say about it on the Internet.
- “President OBama should keep his opinions to himself. He has caused polarization between the races for commenting on this. Let the Boston PD and Gates sort this out.”
Um. Somebody asked him a question.
-”This is not a black / white / latino or asian issue. It’s a blue issue, a bully with a badge issue and a human rights issue. Someone better get these punk cops in line and and explain the employer / employee relationship. Obama, I will NEVER be a Democrat and I will continue to loathe the game of basketball but you have earned my respect today and will stand with you on this one.”
Okay.
-”Let’s see… “I wasn’t there, I do not know all of the facts, I am sure that the police are racsits and acted stupidly.” B. Obama
Just how stupid are people in this country anyway???”
When did Obama call the cops racist?
Again, this is another great example of why the media sucks.
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From Danielle Belton's The Black Snob blog. Hilarious.
So the guys all came together and had a beer. And Henry Louis Gates Jr. wrote about the experience on The Root.
"Well, see, I didn't think it was your house because you're negro..."
Sorry. I jest. Couldn’t resist.
Islamic fist-jab? Or reaching for the snack platter?
Bud Light for Obama, Blue Moon for Crowley and Sam Adams Light for Gates. Vice President Joe Biden had a Buckler nonalcoholic beer.
And they all lived happily ever after in our post-racial society.
I don’t really know what else to say about all this. This incident is overdramatic at worst, and MAYBE a teaching moment at best. A wealthy Harvard scholar might not be the perfect example of advancing race relations, but I suppose there is something to be learned in all this.
Eh. Whatever.
Thoughts?
Well, where are all the thoughts? I’m first? OK, mine is that it was none of Obama’s business. I know, someone asked him a question. But the man has to learn that he can’t, and shouldn’t, do it all. He starts his reply with “Now, I don’t know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts,….” BINGO. That he continued to babble and ramble on was where his mistake was. Dare I say he was stupid to respond to the question? Did you know that stupid is the new F word? I said “stupid” in front of some young nieces of mine and you would have thought the world was gong to cave in! The shock of it all!
And one more thought. This one drives me nuts!! I think the word racist is used when the word prejudice is the fitting word. True racists that I can think of..Hitler, Skin Heads? I really can’t think of any other right now. Prejudice? I am really starting to think that is a human condition.
OK, now I better get back to thinking about getting a job! Enough of this Tomfoolery.
Haha! Thanks for sharing your opinion.
I don’t really think it was NONE of his business. Sure, it was a local affair in Massachusetts and not a national Federal issue, but Gates and Obama are friends, and a reporter asked for his comment. I don’t see what’s so wrong in sharing your opinion on a big scandalous thing that happened to your friend, no matter who he is.
He started off by saying he didn’t know and didn’t have all the facts as a disclaimer! Then he went on to state what he DID know.
THE POLICE DID ACT STUPIDLY. If the arrest wasn’t bogus, why were ALL the charges dropped? If Gates were truly guilty of something horrendous, they could have rightfully charged him.
I remember the word “stupid” not being allowed in the house growing up. When my sister and I would fight, we’d scream at each other: “you STUP-…endous!” But I don’t think it’s the worst thing or word Obama could have used. Yes, he could have chosen his words more carefully, but I think that’s a VERY diplomatic way to respond when put on the spot.
And as far as the terms “racist” or “racism” go, I think people are just afraid to talk about race relations and our deep-seeded prejudices. I also think it’s ridiculous how the right-wing media responded with such fervor: “Obama’s a RACIST!” As I said, he’s just as white as he is black, no matter how he looks or how the world sees him. He was raised by white people, for Christ’s sake.
Either way, all of us Americans have subconscious prejudices and dare I say, racist tendencies–and who better to bring these issues to the table to try and hash things out than Obama? Who else would call for a chat about race relations? Bush? I don’t think so.
This was a whole bunch of Tomfoolery, but I appreciate your feedback and thoughts! Good points from your perspective.
I wanted the media to buy ME a friggin’ beer for all the redundant “reporting” they did on the subject.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in reply to me. How encouraging it is to know that our “young people” THINK!
I relived a memory today that made me think of you, and this topic. It was when my oldest son just started driving. While at a softball game, I got to talking with another Mom about our kids driving. I told her how nervous it made me when he made his first trip out, nervous when he had other people in the car with him. She said “Oh, I don’t let my son have anyone in the car with him. It’s bad enough when he is alone, but having two or three friends with him they are sure to get pulled over or followed.” Yes, her son is black. It was a worry I never had over my sons driving. Is this just an “it is what it is?”
Nat- wasn’t it RIDICULOUS? I was amazed at the SHEER VOLUME of coverage this whole silly thing received! Seriously. WE should go out and get a couple Blue Moons soon.
Michelle- I love YOUR insights, always! I feel like the “Driving While Black” thing could have definitely come into play in that mother’s mind, but at the same time it could have just been a “16-year-old boys with their friends are reckless showoffs who don’t know any better” syndrome. It could go any way, but I’d see if the fact that he is a black male would come into play. Another great point/muse!