6 Responses to “Arrested for BAHWB (Being at Home While Black)”

1. Tensegrities » Blog Archive » Arrested while BAHWB (being at home while black) on July 21st, 2009 9:50 am

   [...] I wish I could say that this was unbelievable, but I remember Black colleagues of mine at the Harvard Divinity school getting questioned while crossing the parking lot behind the school. (Hat tip to Rachel’s Tavern) [...]

2. Gates Arrest « New Soc Prof’s Weblog on July 21st, 2009 5:31 pm

   [...] I’m with you, Rachel. I expect this to be used as an example of how racial discrimination does not reduce to class discrimination. This is also an example on the limits of citizen rights and the power of the state — while we may technically have the right to walk away from a police officer absent reasonable suspicion to detain us, there are many ways around this and I’d like to meet the person who has done this successfully. [...]

3. hillaryskye on July 21st, 2009 11:48 pm

   [...] Can you imagine how this would have turned out if Gates was a white professor? I can: “I’m sorry for the confusion, sir. You have a good evening.” And speaking of the conduct of the officer, Regardless of race, police are not supposed to behave in this manner. Even in situations where they are dealing with rude, angry and agressive people, they are still supposed to maintain a professional attitude. Police should not be allowed to arrest someone because they are rude or wave their hands or accuse the officer of racism, whether it’s granted or not. [...]

4. Cyd63 on July 21st, 2009 11:52 pm

   Supporters say Gates was immediately considered a suspect because officers were summoned by a female caller who said she saw “two black males with backpacks on the porch,” one of whom was “wedging his shoulder into the door as if he was trying to force entry,” according to a police report.

   When the officers arrived, Gates was already inside and on the phone with the real estate company that manages the property. He had come in through the back door and shut off the alarm, he said.

   Police said Gates was arrested after he yelled at an officer, accused him of racial bias and refused to calm down after the officer demanded that Gates show him identification to prove he lived in the home.

   What would you want the police to do when they are called to investigate a suspected burglary?

   I have an alarm system in my house that is monitored. Two times it went off erroneously when we were not home though close enough for me to come home and turn it off. Once in the middle of the day and the other time was after midnight. Both times police arrived and asked for identification to make sure I was who I said I was. I’m white and it took a total of 30 seconds for them to be “convinced”. Why couldn’t Gates do that without being a prick about it? Also, he was arrested after he followed the cop out of the house and continued to threaten and berate him.

5. Temple3 on July 23rd, 2009 1:49 am

   Long time no speak. I hope that all is well with you and the babies. My twins are 2 now and growing like weeds.

   I just wanted to add that Gates wasn’t arrested for B&E. If you go to The Root and read his comments, you’ll find that he was arrested because the officer realized he said something inappropriate (which has yet to be divulged by Gates) and subsequently refused to identify himself. Gates repeatedly asked for his identification and the officer arrested Gates once he left his home and continued his inquiry in front of other officers.

   He was arrested for something along the lines of “loud and tumultuous” behavior. The charges were dropped, but the issue may not be over.

   Take care.

6. libhomo on July 24th, 2009 11:41 pm

   I can’t believe there are people defending this racist attack. This country is so messed up.

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