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Cambridge Police Arrest Henry Louis Gates: Racism in AmericaWas this news story proof that racial tensions still exist in the US?

Overview

Issue Background

On July 16, 2009, Dr. Henry Louis Gates returned to his home late at night after a long day of traveling. Upon realizing that he had locked himself out of his house, Professor Gates enlisted the help of his taxi driver to pry his door open. A concerned neighbor saw the two men forcefully entering and dialed 911, reporting it as a potential break-in. The Cambridge Police, led by Sgt. James Crowley arrived and requested that Dr. Gates provide proper identification. At this point, the story becomes slightly muddled. Sgt. Crowley claimed that Professor Gates became uncooperative and verbally abusive at this point, accusing the police of racial profiling. Professor Gates claimed that after providing proper identification, the police continued to hassle him. Eventually, the Cambridge Police convinced Professor Gates to step outside, at which point he was arrested.

In the aftermath of this incident, many stepped up to defend both parties with racism featured as a key element to the conversation. The story appeared to be losing its legs until President Barack Obama was asked about it during a prime time press conference. President Obama said "...the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home.". As could be expected, the President's words reignited the debate.

Key Arguments

» Yes

The racial element of this story proved precarious for many Americans, causing accusations of racism and defensiveness.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- Despite our belief that we have become a diverse and open-minded society, judgments based on race are still common and a sensitive subject for many Americans.
Supporting Links (1 document)
Supporting Links (1 document)
1. Pal-Item.com: Race Sensitivity Still a Concern in U.S.
The arrest caused some to defend the use of racial profiling.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- In the aftermath of this arrest, many Americans defended the Cambridge police by explaining that racial profiling is not a problem, and that it is in fact necessary and beneficial to protecting American cities. Events like this serve to highlight our outdated opinions and hopefully give Americans a chance to learn about alternative views.
Supporting Links (1 document)
Supporting Links (1 document)
1. Harvard Magazine: Profiling, Good and Bad
We may "tolerate" people who are different, but is that a good thing?
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- It is fair to say that the generation of young adults in this age are more "tolerant" of others than we have been in the past. However, tolerance is not a positive feeling to have towards others. We need to do more than simply tolerate our peers, we must cooperate and thrive alongside them.
Supporting Links (1 document)
Supporting Links (1 document)
1. BeyondBounds.org: Acceptance vs. Tolerance -
Unfortunately, racism has always been part of the American legacy, and for this reason it will never truly be eradicated.
Racism has become such a touchy issue that we are unable to discuss it without offending people.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- Not only is racism still an issue, but the fact that "racist" has become a dirty word inhibits us from having a productive conversation about it. Until we allow ourselves to talk about racism in our culture, we may never adequately address it.
The American public's overwhelming interest in the media coverage of this story proved that racism continues to be a national tension.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- Major news media played this story up and American citizens bit hard. This is evidence that we view race relations as a relevant issue today. The story could have been about police vs. citizenry, but the media chose to sell it as a racial dispute because their audience is sensitive to race issues.
This happened in Cambridge, MA, a town generally proud of its diversity and progressiveness.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- This arrest had everything to do with a black man living in an upper class white neighborhood. In a city as progressive as Cambridge, "the cradle of liberalism", we continue to see elements of segregation since neighborhoods are divided by class and race.

» No

Race-related judgments are no longer inspired by malice, but by a mutual understanding and respect for our peers.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- We live in an age today when it is acceptable and sometimes expected to make racist jokes. There is a lot of love between people of different backgrounds and it is OK to make incorrect judgments.
Race may be a problem, but this incident had nothing to do with racism and should not be used as evidence.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- The issue was a very unique situation with a lot of additional facts that went unnoticed in the initial aftermath. In light of facts brought to light in the aftermath it has become clear that this was not a case of racial profiling.
Supporting Links (2 documents)
Supporting Links (2 documents)
1. Huffington Post: Not racism, but classism
2. Associated Content: Arrest NOT a case of racial profiling
Racism is now subtle and difficult to detect in most circumstances.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- It is difficult to define the professor or the police as being racist because racism is not as clear as it once was. Our grandparents were able to get away with a lot of inflammatory language years ago, but these days no one wants to be accused of being a racist. This is a testament to the progress that we've made.
Supporting Links (1 document)
Supporting Links (1 document)
1. Arkansas Matters: RNC Chair Michael Steele says racism is more subtle
Power imbalance a more likely factor than race.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- We tend to quickly assume race as a defining factor in cases such as this, however this example is much more about power imbalances than race relations. The conversation could just as easily be about police vs. citizens or class wars. The problem may have had something to do with race, but there are other plausible explanations.
May be an issue for older generations, but will not be for future generations.
Expanded Argument
Expanded Argument
- In this case, the incident and our reactions to it were indeed a sign that race is still an issue for many Americans. However, the media, the politicians, and the parties to the dispute are all of a similar generation. The new generations have grown up amongst bi-racial relationships and a healthy sense of brotherhood. The problem may exist, but it is only because the people in power remain stuck in the past.

Cambridge Police Arrest Henry Louis Gates: Racism in AmericaWas this news story proof that racial tensions still exist in the US?

Issue Background

Key Arguments

» Yes

» No

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