Gates “happy to oblige” as President Barack Obama suggests a meeting with Sergeant Crowley
by MikeScholtes on Jul.26, 2009, under Obama
Henry Louis Gates “happy to oblige” as Obama suggests a meeting with Sergeant Crowley
Barack Obama Suggests a Meeting with Sergeant Crowley
Henry Louis Gates
In attempt to quell the controversy in which he has become reluctantly embroiled, President Barack Obama has suggested that Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates and Massachusetts police Sergeant James Crowley meet at the White House “for a beer”, and for his part Gates says he would be “happy to oblige”.
On the website TheRoot.com Gates writes of his phone call with Obama that discussed his July 16th arrest and the resulting fallout. According to the post “I am pleased that [Obama] is eager to use my experience as a teaching moment, And if meeting Sgt. Crowley for a beer with the President will further that end, then I would be happy to oblige”
This comes at the end of a week when President Obama was drawn into the kind of debate he went to great lengths to avoid while on the campaign trail in 2008 – a discourse on race and racial profiling.
The Gates story began on July 16th in conservative Cambridge, Massachusetts when the much decorated Harvard stalwart was arrested outside the home that he rents from the college after a neighbor had called police under the misguided impression that an intruder was breaking into the two story home. In actuality the “burglar” was Professor Gates himself, attempting to open a door that had become jammed shut . When police arrived a confrontation arose between Gates and veteran Cambridge police office Sergeant James Crowley, resulting in the black professor’s arrest for disorderly conduct.
The charges were quickly dropped, but not before a national debate had been ignited about the continuing practice of “racial profiling “by law enforcement officers in “Obama’s America.”
The President himself joined the fray when he told reporters that in his estimation the police officers had “acted stupidly.” A group of enraged police officers went on the offensive in support of Sergeant Crowley and on Friday President Obama admitted that he regretted how he had chosen to phrase his opinion, but has not issued the full apology that the Cambridge officers had demanded on their colleague’s behalf.
Sergeant Crowley has yet to comment upon the White House invitation but he too has spoken with the President via telephone, a conversation during which Crowley says he apologized that the arrest and its fallout had distracted from far more pressing issues, such as Obama’s continuing battle to pass his health care reform measures.
July 26th, 2009 on 5:05 pm
Is this the same Henry L. Gates,Jr. who wrote the
memoir, COLORED PEOPLE, and was born and raised in
West Virginia?
I have this book and thnk it is very inspiring.
July 26th, 2009 on 9:01 pm
Jim Crow(ley) should admit that he is guilty because he may try to get back into the W. H. by arresting someone else in their own home. I think he has an Apology to make and explain why he arrested Mr. Gates after he shwed his ID and proof he lived there. Sounds to me that the Cambridge Police Department will cause people to avoid that city for vacations. The Indianapolis Star used the Jim Crow says, years ago. No pun intended but it’s true. I am white and just don’t happen to be a racist
July 26th, 2009 on 9:28 pm
GREAT MORE PICTURE OPPERTUNITIES FOR THE BLACK LORD AND BOSTON BLACKIE.LETS BBQ THEM KOBE STEAKS AND KFC BROTHER
July 26th, 2009 on 11:05 pm
I AGREE WITH MR. GATES AND I AGREE WITH MR. OBAMA..YOU CANNOT SUGAR-COAT THE TRUTH..PEOPLE WANT TO ACT LIKE RACIAL PROFILING DOESNT EXIST AND IT DOES DAILY..BE BLACK FOR A DAY..YOU’LL EXPERIENCE IT DAILY..IF YOU’RE NOT BLACK..SHUT THE HELL UP..YOU CANT’ IGNORE WHAT BLACK PEOPLE EXPERIENCE DAILY..AND WHAT IS THE TRUTH..I DONT CARE WHO YOU ARE…RCIAL PROFILING DOES EXIST..BUT THEY WERE BOTH HOT-HEADED..SOMEONE NEEDED TO BE THE GROWN-UP..MR GATES SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, HE’S BLACK HE WOULD BE HARRASSED..BE FOR REAL
July 27th, 2009 on 12:17 am
How was the officer to know that no one was in danger inside or outside the house unless Professor Gates cooperated? It was in Gates’ power to settle the matter quickly, discreetly, and quietly. The 500 pound chip on his shoulder caused him to pass up that opportunity it seems, given the time to ascertain the facts of the matter.
How could officer Crowley know, without investigating, that Gates was not in danger (from an intruder in the house) or that there was no chance of a spouse or partner in the house feeling endangered by some domestic disagreement?
A little cooperation on Gates’ part would have resulted in a much quicker and happier outcome assuring everyone’s safety: that is what Crowley and other patient, long-suffering police officers are paid to do.
Where’s the beef?
July 27th, 2009 on 12:49 am
You are all a bunch of ignorant racists! Officer Crowley did nothing wrong by insisting that Mr. Gates provide identification and proof of address. Mr Gates did provide his id which did not have his address on it and instead of thanking the officer for protecting his home, chose to get beligerent towards him. The fact that he was arrested had nothing whatsoever to do with his color, but he did as most blacks do when approached by a police officer. He chose to get defensive instead of politely providing the officer with his proper ID. I don’t care what color, race or nationality you are, if you choose to be a wiseass to a police officer, expect to be treated as such. The fact that our new President defended Mr. Gates and chose to comment on this case before hearing all the facts shows me that “HE” could possibly be the real racist in this situation. He is the leader of the free world and should get all the facts before offering any opinion, not just on this subject, but any. Let’s hope for all our sakes that he doesn’t team up with the likes of Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton. In my opinion, the two biggest racists on the planet.
July 27th, 2009 on 1:29 am
Anna L.Richard (The police officer was doing his job) Had nothing to do with color but of course every time a black person acts like an ass it always becomes a racial thing.
July 27th, 2009 on 1:41 am
My respects for Officer Crowley for holding out on accepting the invitation!
July 27th, 2009 on 1:44 am
I feel totally confindent now that Obamma (sp) is racial, I didn’t before, he should have looked at both sides before putting foot into mouth.
July 27th, 2009 on 2:05 am
The cop was only doing his job. Obama had no business sticking his nose in where it didn’t belong without knowing the whole story. Obama was the one who defended a man based on his color, not the other way around.
And now, to invite them to the White House for a beer? That’s right, lets just medicate!
July 27th, 2009 on 2:51 am
Yep. sounds typical of two “brothers” discussing a ‘problem’, with a couple of paper sacks containing 32oz. Shlitz. Ha, I can see them now.
July 27th, 2009 on 2:52 am
Standing ‘at the corner’ of the white house.
July 27th, 2009 on 2:59 am
I hope Sgt Crowley tells both these racists to stuff their luncheon meeting.
July 27th, 2009 on 3:09 am
Well, it is sad for all involved… I do wonder who was the neighbor who called the police about “an intruder breaking into the two family home”. Sad for the Harvard Professor who was trying to just get into his home and sad for the police officer who responded to the call. The police put their lives on the line every day, they do a job that many of us would never do.I feel very surprised by the comment that was made by the President before he heared BOTH sides of the story from those that were PRESENT. I was not there,so I do not know what happened. Maybe part of the case is men and their ego’s too. what would have happened if it were two women. The suggestion was made on one of the Sunday News programs that both the Professor and the Police Officer should try to defend the others’ position; sounds like a great idea to me. There is an old Native American Indian saying “Walk a mile in someones moccasins before passing judgement” I will pray for all involved..
July 27th, 2009 on 4:28 am
The only reason Gates made a scene was because he’s afraid that if a racial incident doesn’t make national news every few years, that black people won’t be able to enjoy their “victim” status. Can’t have that. Gates is a rascist. Did you notice that all the people that spoke on his behalf were prominent black men and women? He teaches racism (there’s nothing “reverse” about it). When you assume that a person will treat you in a certain way because of the color of their skin (as did Professor Gates), then you are a rascist. Plain and simple. Enough said. . .Tell Obama Bin Laden to put those beers back in the fridge.
July 30th, 2009 on 5:38 pm
Officer Crowley did not behave incorrectly, while investigating a possible break in. When he arrived he did as required. He identified the person in the home with ID that had an address on it. Mr. Gates seems to have had a bad day then comes home to a door that wouldn’t open. Unfortunately things like this happen in life. The neighbor was a good person who saw something that could have been a break-in she acted responsibly by having someone call the police. This was not racially motivated it was responsibility looking out for each other. Mr. Gates should be happy to know that he lives in a neighborhood where people watch out for each other especially since there were break-in’s of this sort previously. Mr. Gates needs to realize that police officer’s don’t just show up at your home to harrass you because of your skin color. Instead of flying off the handle he should have realized the officer was there for his security and not to bother him because he is black. Mr President acted WRONG in assuming that this was a racial attack on a black man. I am very disappointed in Obama, for not checking facts out before opening his mouth. There are always to sides to a story listen and learn.