The backlash of controversial arrest of prominent Ivy-League African-American studies professor, Henry Louis Gates Jr., has prompted university officials to suggest he move.
In his first public appearance since the afternoon beer at the White House with the arresting officer and President Obama, Gates referred to an email that said: “You should die, you’re a racist.” The threats have already led the professor to change his cell phone number and email address, reports the Boston Herald.
The home in which Gate resides is owned by Harvard University and was the scene of a misunderstood burglary investigation. Sgt. James Crowley was called to the home after a neighbor saw Gates and his driver barge through a jammed door on the side of the house. Gates was allegedly enraged at the officer’s inquiries and continued to yell despite Crowley’s warnings. Gates, on the other hand, accused the officer of racial profiling and claims he never raised his voice at the officer. The disorderly conduct charges that Gates was arrested under were later dropped.
Yesterday at Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival, Gates said the race and class issues that have come to light show no signs of resolution.
“They have not been resolved at all,” Gates said before 150 spectators. On July 25, Gates said people had posted signs outside his door calling him “shameful” and a “racist.” The professor said he has also received bomb threats.
At last Thursday’s Presidential meeting, Gates said he and Crowley were able to break the ice with humor.
“I offered to get his kids into Harvard if he doesn’t arrest me again,” Gates said.
“I said to him, ‘I would have sworn you were 6-feet-8 inches tall,’ ” Gates said. “He said, ‘I used to be, but I’ve lost 2 to 3 feet over the last two weeks.’ How can you be mad at a guy like that? When he’s not arresting you, Sgt. Crowley is a nice guy.”
A person in the crowd said he admired Gates’ sense of humor, Gates retorted, “I should have been funnier in the kitchen of my house on July 16.”
Gates has launched an initiative to create a documentary that evaluates the perspective of the police ad people who have fallen prey to racial profiling so “Americans can understand that you can have two equally valid perceptions of the same event.”
