the quintessential angry black man.

According to the police report of this incident on Thursday, July 16, 2009 Henry Gates, Jr. “was placed under arrest after exhibiting loud and tumultous behavior, in a public place,  directed at a uniformed police officer who was present investigating a report of a crime in progress.”

The following is what has been widely reported as the chain of events leading up to the arrest.  Professor Gates had just returned home from a more than 20 hour trip from China.  Upon his return he found that he was unable to gain access to his home.  The door was jammed as a result of a recent burglary attempt.  He and his driver were seen forcing the door open by Lucia Whalen.  Ms. Whalen called 911 to report what she saw.  When asked by Sergeant Crowley what she had seen she responded that she had seen two black males forcing their way into the house.

Sergeant Crowley entered the house to investigate what could have been a crime in progress and encountered Professor Gates.  Gates, who was understandably upset after 20 hours in the air and the frustration of not being able to get into his own home, refused to come out on the porch to talk to the officer replying “no I will not.”  The trouble begins now.  Gates demands to know who Crowley is.  He then throws down the race card – “why, because I’m a black man in America?”  Crowley responds that he is investigating a possible crime in progress and asks if there is anyone else in the house.  Gates responds by yelling that it is none of Crowley’s business and that Crowley is a racist.  Instead of complying with Crowley’s lawful command to come outside Gates calls someone and asks the name of the police chief.  The story goes on, but you can read the report to get the rest of the details.

The bottom line is that instead of being grateful to the Cambridge Police Department Gates immediately throws the race card because he’s in a bad mood.  Sergeant Crowley did nothing to provoke him except to be white.  Witnesses support Crowley’s statements.

Later, President Obama states on national television that the Cambridge Police Department acted “stupidly” after telling the world that Gates is a friend of his and that he (Obama) doesn’t know the facts.  A genuine oboner.

Subsequently, in order to try to smooth over his own stupid remark, President Obama invites Crowley and Gates over to the White House for a beer.

The “angry black man” act is getting really old.  So is the “race card.”  Stoking the fires of racism on the part of blacks are asshats like this guy who no doubt was on OJ’s side.

Opining on the overuse of the race card and all it implies.  Just an average guy who is sick of the perpetuation of racial conflict by the inappropriate or unjustified use of the race card.