Another Harvard Prof Accuses Police of Racism

Don't confuse it with poor blacks' struggle against racism, classism

(NEWSER) - Racial profiling may have played a role in the arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr., but fellow black scholar Boyce Watkins says there's no reason to feel sorry for Gates. At heart, the scene was likely “a battle of two egos,” Watkins writes in the Grio. “What is abundantly clear is that this is NOT the case of a poor black male being exploited by the racist, classist power structure.” More»

(NEWSER) - Henry Louis Gates is upset about his arrest, in which he sees wide implications and a potential "teachable moment." The Harvard professor talks it over with the Daily Beast in the person of Elizabeth Gates, who happens to be his daughter:

• On the police: "I’m glad that this lady called 911. I hope right now if someone is breaking into my house she’s calling 911 and the police will come! I just don’t want to be arrested for being black at home!"

Harvard prof. inspired by recent brush with the law

(NEWSER) - After his up-close and personal look at the criminal justice system, Henry Louis Gates Jr. intends to tackle the issue of racial profiling in a documentary for PBS, the Harvard scholar tells the Washington Post. "It had never crossed my mind but it has now," says Gates, who was arrested when a neighbor thought he was breaking into his own home. Charges have been dropped. More»

Police: 'a just resolution to unfortunate circumstances'

(NEWSER) - Charges against Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr have been dropped after he was arrested at his home for “loud and tumultuous behavior,” NBC News reports. The city of Cambridge, Mass., and its police said they had “recommended to the Middlesex County District Attorney that the criminal charge against Professor Gates not proceed,” adding “all parties agree that this is a just resolution to an unfortunate set of circumstances.” More»

(NEWSER) - African-American Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. was hauled into custody after repeatedly asking a police officer for his badge number, Prof. Charles Ogletree writes in the Root. Gates forced open his front door after arriving home from a foreign trip to find it damaged. When a police officer arrived saying he was responding to a 911 call, Gates provided him with ID proving he lived there, writes Ogletree, who is serving as his colleague's attorney. More»