Black Education: Cambridge Police missed that class

When I heard the news about Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s arrest, I immediately recalled meeting the great professor at Bryant College, now a University, in the fall of 1993. Then, I was quickly enamored by his wit, ability to command a room, and for a man that stands all but 5-feet 7-inches tall, he was a BIG man in the sense of intellect and compassion.

I could only imagine and wondered out loud what it was that Mr. Gates, Jr. did that would warrant him being arrested by Cambridge Police? When I heard the news that one of his neighbors, and I use the word "neighbor" loosely, called the Cambridge Police Department to report a possible break-in taking place at a house in Cambridge.

I truly wonder, what would I have done, had I been questioned by police offers while standing in my house having just returned from an overseas trip?

As I prepare to watch Black In America 2 tomorrow night, I think the issue of "profiling" is thrust into the frontal lobe when many think that because the United States of America has a bi-racial President, there no longer is a need to discuss racism, sexism, or any other "ism" that exists.

The entire issue should make great dinner time conversation and certainly the City of Cambridge has some damage control to be done.