I've heard it said, that we have a new president but this is the same America.
I believe it to be true.
The election of Barack Obama should have been a turning point in race relations in our country. It was the promise of seeing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream come alive.
Then, reality put its foot down.
I have a 15 soon to be 16 year old son. His father and I have raised him to be respectful, mannerable, and most of all in fear and admonition of the Lord.
Then came"the rules", NEVER resist arrest. Never run, never talk back, no loitering, no yelling in public, turn the music down when you see a squad car, if the police are behind you never turn around, you'll appear suspicious and they may pull you over. Don't ever get into a vehicle with 3 or more or your black friends, it looks suspicious. Obey the curfew laws. Don't jaywalk. When speaking to an officer, look him in the eye and make no sudden moves and keep your hands out of your pockets and at your side. If they ask for ID, present it immediately.
I think Dr. Gates may have forgotten "the rules".
You see, as a Harvard professor, he is respected by his colleagues and students. He has sold books, has had numerous shows on PBS and he has even been on Oprah! This is man has accomplished a great deal in the academic world. He is a mature gentleman, wears glasses and walks with a cane. However, the day he was arrested, only one thing stood out...
He's black.
Depending on who you ask, that isn't a crime in this country. But it can prove to be problematic. It is unfortunate how stereotypical people can be. It is a harsh reminder that sometimes no matter how much you've achieved you are still viewed as a just another black man up to no good.
I can't say that I would not have called the police if I saw what appeared to be a strange person in my neighborhood attempting to break in my neighbors home. Here's the problem, the woman that made the call didn't see a glasses wearing, cane carrying Harvard professor who was locked out of his home. She saw a black man trying to break into a house. What's even worse, she doesn't realize its her neighbor.
Can you see the problem? Let me explain.
He LIVES in this neighborhood, he is employed by Harvard as a professor, he has been on television but she didn't see any of that. All she saw was a black man in her predominately white neighborhood.
When the police did arrive he was already in his home. The officers approached him and asked for ID. Now here is where the earlier mentioned "rules" come into play. Even if you are in your own house, if the police ask for your ID, give it to them. Had this been a white professor, the incident would have ended with a sorry for the inconvenience, have a good day. It was clear that Dr. Gates was agitated and at this point, for a black person, freedom of speech does not apply. It has been my personal experience that it is best to hold your peace and do what is asked of you.
( I know right now every slain civil rights activist is turning in their graves)
It is sad and unfortunate but true. But it sure is better than a ride in the back of a squad car or worse, a police beat down.
I purchased a ruby red Durango last year and I was really excited about it. I took my brother for a ride around 9:30pm one evening. On our way home I was pulled over by the police. I had on a seat belt, was driving the speed limit and my music could only be heard inside the truck. After pulling to the side of the road, the officer came up to my side and tapped my window with the butt of his flashlight. I rolled the window down and he did not greet me with a smile nor a hello. He asked me point blank, and very firm, where I was coming from. I told him I had just come from the store and he asked, with a smirk and irritation, oh yeah what store. Ok now I'm getting heated, because I have no clue as to why he stopped me. But I remembered "the rules". He asked me where I got the truck from. I said it was mine I just bought it. He then asked where I got it from, keep in mind I still
don't know why I've been pulled over and he is speaking to me as though I am not being upfront and truthful. But I'm still remembering "the rules". He says oh so you just bought it huh? Well I need to see some ID. Just for reference, I have new license plates on my truck, not a temporary tag. I gave him the ID and my registration, he smirks and goes back to the car. After checking out my story he returns to tell me that a cherry red Durango with temporary tags had just been reported stolen. When they saw me they had just received the call.
I can understand Dr. Gates' aggravation. It is beyond irritating to be accused falsely. Especially when it is your property that you pay for.
There is one thing that brings all of this together. No one saw that I worked everyday to pay for that truck. No one saw that I was tremendously blessed to even have it, no one saw that I was a good person, that I loved my family or that I loved to write. None of that mattered. It didn't matter that my vehicle did not completely match the description or that they never had to stop me in the first place, because running the plate would have given them the answers they needed. No, I was a black woman in a truck with a black man for a passenger, even though the other truck was stolen by two men. I had every right to be angry, appalled, upset and insulted. But I had to follow "the rules".
My son is a good kid. I'm not just saying that because I'm his mom, I'm saying it because it's true. The unfortunate reality is, he had to be taught how to survive if he ever must deal with the police. The incident with Dr. Gates just further proves, no degrees, books written, salary range, size of your home or amount in your bank account, fully separates you from the Pookies and G-Moneys of the world. You are still judged by your skin color and for that reason, you must follow the "rules".
Welcome back to reality Dr. Gates. We still have a long way to go.
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