Further proof that we are NOT living in a post-racial world.

[kivrin]

Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. arrested after accusation that he was breaking into his own house.

Now, someone may say "uh, he was arrested not for B&E but for being combative when questioned." To which I say "he is a world famous Harvard professor being harassed in his own home because a neighbor called the cops after seeing him struggling with a jammed lock in his own front door. DAMN STRAIGHT HE WAS UPSET. Humans get upset WHEN THEY ARE HARASSED."

Comments

[janewt.livejournal.com]

Crazytalk! Of course everything's fine now! We have solved everything in one election!

[kivrin.livejournal.com]

Yes! And the problem really is classism and culturism not racism. I mean, a well-spoken neatly-dressed older black man would never have a lick of trouble!

[penwiper26.livejournal.com]

Jesus H. Christ. [facepalm]

[kivrin.livejournal.com]

I am ashamed of my home state.

I keep thinking of my dad, who's about six months older than Gates, and also a professor. NO WAY would the cops be called on him, and if they were, it would be "what's the problem, sir, can we help?" Because my dad is Mature White Man. Not OMG SCARY BLACK MAN (five feet tall and walking with a cane.)

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

I live all the way on this side of the continent, and I would recognize Henry Louis Gates jr.

There's also an assertion from his lawyer that he'd caught a virus in China (oh, yeah, he was struggling with his front door after getting back from a trip to China: I know I'm all fit for a tumultuous argument after a long flight!) and was having trouble even speaking.

Julia, spent alot of yesterday afternoon boggling over this

[kivrin.livejournal.com]

[nods] I hadn't read about the China aspect when I posted. OH NOES WHAT COULD BE SCARIER THAN AN EXHAUSTED, FEVERISH PROFESSOR IN A POLO SHIRT AND KHAKIS, WALKING WITH A CANE.

[heron-pose.livejournal.com]

I'm composing an essay in my head as i'm out back putting in some spinach and kale seeds (fingers crossed).

After that flight, after *being* in China, which is no picnic for a Black person, I'm surprised he didn't break some heads.

I feel another round of 'sensitivity' trainings coming on, which will do nearly nothing.

wtf, world?

[kivrin.livejournal.com]

wtf, indeed. Sigh.

*crosses fingers for your leafy veggies*