Since this is the only forum to where I really post, I thought I would start a topic and just vent here.  I have been listening to the radio and with people's opinions being shot off, it is really surprising how dense and how much lack of thought some people have.
So here is the story that I have as far as I know.
This Harvard professor, Henry Louis Gates, was trying to break into his own house because he forgot his keys after a trip to China.  Some woman, who didn't live in the neighborhood, called the cops on him and reported that two black men were trying to break into someone's house.  The cops came over and found one black man already inside the home.  The cop who is at the center of this is James Crowley.  Crowley asked for ID.  Gates got irate and started saying stuff to the cop, most quoted as you dont know who you're messing with and the such.  They stepped outside but after a bit, both parties agree that he did show ID, two.  His driver's license and his harvard ID, both with photos.  But the cops arrested him for being a jerk basically, being uncooperative and saying stuff.  The charges were then dropped.
The discussion centers around the issue of whether or not this was a racist act and whether an arrest should have been made in the first place.  For the racism, i can't really tell, but it feels like yes, there was a touch of racism.  I mean, really it just feels like a white person would not be arrested in the same situation.
And the situation is this.  Crowley's biggest point for the arrest was Gates behavior and saying things about Crowley's mother.  On the radio I heard hosts talking about how cops should not stand there and take abuse or that the police department is great and the President's comment that the actions of the cops were stupid.  Well, I am sorry, but yes, cops should be respected but that doesn't mean I can't act like an asshole in my own home, on my own property.
Here is the question to all of you, how would you feel if that is the reason you got arrested in your own house.  After the cops did know it was your house, you got arrest for yelling at them?  Why did they drop the charges?  Because he clearly did nothing wrong and with another harvard lawyer representing him, the cops knew they would get their asses handed to them.
As for what the president said, he called out the actions of the cops.  Clearly stupid since those charges would not stick.  Sorry but just because you have a good police department, it doesnt mean the president cant call your ass out for something you did.  Also, Obama went to harvard, he knows this professor.  If your friend got treated this way, you would say something, would'nt you?
Lots of people like to say it was just a cop trying to do his job, but his job does not included letting someone get to you and arrest them for it.  He didn't get arrested for breaking into his own house, he got arrested for telling the cops to fuck off after they knew it was his house and all the neighbors wondering why the fuck the cops were there in the first place if this guy owns the house!
I think we should all be outraged that this happened, that this could happen.  Is it racist?  I can't say for sure.  Did the cops fuck up anyway?  You bet they did.  This cop is gonna face some consequences if Gates does sue, because if I got arrested at my own house, just for speaking my mind, i would be pissed too.  Just cause you're a cop doesnt mean I can't do and say what I want at my own house just because you are there.