Should Harvard Professor Louis "Skip" Gates file a lawsuit against the Cambridge Police Department and Sgt. James Crowley?

Two blogs down below is the police report of what happened according to Cambridge Police Sargeant James Crowley. Sgt. Crowley wrote his reasoning why handcuffing and booking Harvard Professor Louis "Skip" Gates was necessary. In Crowley's words the reason was that Gates..."being observed exhibiting loud and tumultuous behavior." Gates was arrested in his own home after a female neighbor Lucia Whalen called the police about a burglary in progress at a near-by home, by two Black men. We know now that one of these two Black men was Professor Gates and the residence in question was his own. When Sgt. Crowley's narrative was written, Crowley was unaware that the entire incident's audio was recorded.

Crowley -- in his police report -- attempted to get "Skip" Gates outside, said that Skip "spoke of his momma saying, "ya, I'll speak with your momma outside." The "momma" statement is disputed by Gates Attorney Charles Olgetree not recorded on the audio tape. If Crowley fabricated the police report, then the lawsuit would be rather easy to win -- in normal situations. Normal meaning without the Judicial system trying the Police of the Judicial Legal system. We are fully aware that it is rare that Police of any nationality are placed under arrest and imprisoned, including murder of un-armed victims. Gates case is far less than murder, so what chance would Skip have to punish Crowley or the Cambridge police department, other than getting the story debated in the media. You can read the entire report two blogs down.

One of the statements in the police report was when Sgt. Crowley initially confronted Gates after knocking on the front door saying that he was "investigating a report of a break in progress" at this residence. Gates then opened his own front door and sarchastically replied: "Why, because I'm a black man in America?." Though scarchastic, I think the reader would agree that Gates then established that he was the owner or renter of the residence. At this moment Crowley should have asked "funny...is everything ok sir." Gates could then only answer "yes" or "no." End of story. But, most of you know, that is not what happened.

Professor Gates later stated that because of what he went through, that Skip will investigate as many cases and create a documentary on "Racial Profiling". However in talking with an long time activist friend of mine, an Ivy Leaguer, he brought up a good point. My friend stated that the problem is in part Racial Profiling. He said that, "Yes African-Americans and Latinos have more incidents with the police than other groups. But to a lesser extent the other groups in this country are also harrised by the police. The issue that should be dealt with, which includes Racisl Profiling is 'Police Supremacy'."

Early on in all of our lives as kids, someone sits you down and tells you how to react when confronted by police. Whether on the streets or being stopped in your car, I was told that you show your hands. In the car, you place both hands on top of the steering wheel. If you are standing take your hands out of your pockets showing both hands. I was also told to follow the polices' instructions. If asked to provide Drivers' License and registration, keep your hands in sight and slowly get both items. If standing then answer their questions without argument or provoking the police. The fear is that the policeman will either beat your ass, shoot you dead, or handcuff you and take you to jail.

Well, according to my activist friend there lies the problem. In Canada, the Police are called "Peace Officers" versus being called Police here in the United States. Why the word 'Police'?And with 2-million folks in prison, which is more than any country on earth, we can be easily be considered a "Police State". In short, we moreso have a "Police Supremacy" issue than a "Racial Profiling" problem.

In attacking a 'Police Superiority' problem, then we are solving the whole mal-behavior problem on behalf of Police throughout the United States.

Police have the heir of a Supreme God when confronting anyone. Me and you can argue a point to completion. Completion being one will prove their point or we will not just not agree, in near all cases in a peaceful manner without fists or bullets flying. People at work argue about a number of things. Argument are common with Husbands and wives, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and boyfriends and girlfriends. However, if you argue without a weapon (gun, stick, clinged fist) to a police officer, the first thing they do a over-talk you while threatening you with force or an arrest. Why is that? There are human...aren't they?

If they are not physically threatened by you, then why in return do they threaten you? Can't the police -- or a judge in court -- be human and discuss the issue like anyone else, even in an argumentive term? If a voice is raised, so what? With the police if you raise your voice, though you are heated about an issue, why is it when confronting the police there is no discussion, just getting your face bashed, arrested and booked, or shot dead.

Black men are especially profiled and belittled by police, and represent half of the prison population in the United States, though only thirteen percent of the total population.

The President had a chance to change the procedures of the Police nationally, but unfortunately that chance was blown when he back peddled from his "Cambridge Police acted stupidly" comment in the National Press Conference on Wednesday -- in referrence to the Police arresting Gates at his 'own home'. The President should not have back-peddled and further act as if the two (Sgt. Crowley and Prof. Gates) can come over his pad and have a beer.

Both Skip and James agreed to have a 'beer' with the President at the White House, and my inclination says that no lawsuit will be filed due to the relationship that Skip and the President has. Gates, in other words would not want this issue to hurt the President's quest for Universal Health Care, or embarrassment of being overly questioned by the press, or dampening the President's chance for re-election --- who knows the reason!

Yet on the other hand, the Cambridge Police Department continues to angrily demand that the President apologize to them and all police departments throughout the United States, as you would expect from the police, especially police in a dominant white community close to Harvard University.

Back to the Cambridge incident, Sergeant Crowley without a warrent entered Gates home, which is a sign of unlawfulness and disrespect on the part of the police. Crowley witnessed Gates calling the Cambridge Chief to outright complain about his policemans' being a racist police -- unwarranted in Skip's own home. Gates showed Crowley his ID as requested, which is proof that this was Skip's house. Crowley then asked Gates to step outside, and Skip rightfully refused. Question: What made Gates go outside? Was it fear of being roughed up?

So here we have Gates home being invaded by Sgt. James Crowley, and Gates felt forced to go outside. Gates then threatened back, stating that "this is not the last time that you (Crowley) will hear from me," and further "you do not know who you are messing with."

In this case, you see the point that I made before that there is an heir of Police Supremacy, even when you prove that this is your own residence. How can you burglarize your own home? When the licence was shown then, again, that should have ended the story. But nooooo! The police had to show their supremacy over an argumentive homeowner whose property rights here are continually violated. I guess with the Patriot Act and other intrusive policies, Police no longer need warrants anymore. Sgt. Crowley did not mention in his report that he was not invited into Skip's home. It was a given to him that he could just walk into someone else's home. Crowley in the police reports states, "Due to the tumultuous manner Gates had exhibited in his residence as well as his continued tumultuous behavior outside the residence in 'view of the public', I warned Gates that he was becoming disorderly."

Crowley saying "In view of the public," is this why Crowley forced Gates outside?

Crowley in the police report continued saying, "Gates ignored my warning and continued to yell, which drew the attention of both the police officers and citizens, who appeared surprised and alarmed by Gates's outburst. For a second time,,, I warned Gates to calm down while I withdrew my department issued handcuffs from their carrying case."

Instead of human beings discussing a manner to a very short completion, Crowley as the superior policeman gave Gates a WARNING. One human being in Gates -- who walks with a cane and in no way a physical threat to Crowley -- received a behavior WARNING from Crowley and according to the Sergeant, "Gates ignored his behavior warning." Why was a "Behavior Warning" needed with a short, cripple middle-aged man who walks with a cane?

Let's revisit the point of my activist Ivy League friend, that police are conditioned to believe that they are God. Police are Superior to any fellow citizen in the United States. Clearly, the Gates case is a case of Police Superiority. If Gates continued to state his case after the Supreme being's warning was given, then Gates risk the "opportunity" of being beaten; hit with a billy club; slammed into the wall; brought down to the ground face first; stripped naked; forced spread eagle on the street; kicked to the curb; or frankly shot dead. Luckily only part two occurred whereas the police handcuffed, took Skip to jail, mug shot taken, and booked. Now due to Skip calling his high-regarded resources, all charges were totally dropped.

Why were the charges dropped? Is that an admittance of guilt on behalf of the Cambridge Police Department? Or is this considered a behavior spanking to a Black man residing in a highly touted Harvard white-neighborhood? Either/Or, Professor Louis "Skip" Gates should sue the Cambridge Police Department.

Professor Gates sue them despite the friend you have in President Obama, who frankly is wishing that this thing goes away. But President, we African-Americans deserve a listen to our lobbying as it was the Black vote 'in the Swing States', that made the difference in you becoming the 44th President. Yes, there are questions to be answered about the Gates incident directed to the President grating though it may be, taking focus away from winning the Health Care Reform debate. It seems as if when there is a Black-only issue we are again asked to WAIT! We must wait until the President is re-elected, and during the campaign we along with the Democratic Party had to wait until the Inauguration.

Skip, your case (with the God-send comment from the President) in just as important -- to reform the way that Police train their fellow Police to refrain from considering themselves Superior to anyone that walks the face of the earth -- than this yet un-attainable 'Clinton-Kennedy-Obama' Health Care Reform.

Skip, the time could not be better than right now to blow the lid off Police Superiority and Police Profiling. We have waited long enough, and far too often we are requested by President Obama to wait. Just ask the Congressional Black Caucus and the Democratic Party brass how often the President has asked them to shut up during the campaign for President. No more shutten up Mr. President, the time is now! This is why we elected the President in the first place, and we are not waiting for a Second Presidential Term that is far from being guaranteed. It's time to deal with this issue now, and the first step is for Professor Louis "Skip" Gates to get with his Attorney Charles Olgetree and sue the Cambridge Police Department. Getting suckered into a beer party is too often offered, only to return to the glass ceiling. No more BSing.
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