Comments on: THE GATES INCIDENT IN CAMBRIDGE: IT’S “CLASS,” NOT “RACE”

By: Jeff C.

Jeff C. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:21:58 +0000

I think this is the best article written about the incident and what really went on behind the eyes of everyone involved. The thoughts they more than most probably had on both sides. Of course it was our now famous president who stole the media show and turned it into a campaign circus of sorts. My question is “Would Obama do the same if it had been the other way around and the officer was black and the man entering the house was white?” probably not, it would have been an everyday occurrence to all involved.

By: Dean Jackson

Dean Jackson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:38:07 +0000

The other important class issue here is that cops don’t make enough money to live in Cambridge. It’s an expensive, expensive neighborhood; the class divide is pretty wide there.

By: Miguel

Miguel — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:46:19 +0000

Well said, Mr. Ayoob!
In the complex forms that human interaction takes, power and influence are close to the top of the list. Mr Gates may, or may not have acted in a disorderly manner according to some, but he certainly acted with active disrespect, and goading. No doubt, he used his power as a member of a famous institution. The officer also used his power.
The media hyped the entire thing as an issue of race. People love this sort of stuff, and the media spoon feeds it to us, but I agree-it wasn’t about race.