by Juan J Martinez
Member since:
November 9, 2006

Gates White Neighbors, Where Are They In All These?

July 25, 2009 07:07 PM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 20

Question: Where is the person or persons, Professor Gates neighbor or neighbors that made the huge mistake in judgment, when they erroneously made the call to report Professor Gates as a burglar?  Since they were Gates’ neighbors, I would assume they would know who he was, since he is  the only person of color living in this prominently white neighborhood. Was the call made as a joke or perhaps as a means to harass Professor Gates? Perhaps they should be tracked down as and interviewed as to their thoughts and beliefs before and after the incident.

Comments: 20

Kathryn Flynn Jul 25, 2009, 7:13pm UTC
I have wondered exactly the same.
Spencer T. Jul 25, 2009, 7:24pm UTC
One of the neighbors said she was amazed at the call in that most know Gates by sight. Might I prefer to believe that perhaps the caller was a new neighbor who had not met Gates as yet than to believe this was a deliberate attempt to harass him?
Juan J Martinez Jul 25, 2009, 7:31pm UTC
I have been asking myself from the onset, where the caller or callers that instigated this fiasco are? Are they intentionally hiding or perhaps they have been advised by authorities not to make any comments or statements.
Juan J Martinez Jul 25, 2009, 7:32pm UTC
It would not be far fetched to assume that perhaps the call was made as way to harass the Professor.
Juan J Martinez Jul 25, 2009, 7:34pm UTC
Shirly that is why I ask where are they in all this. Perhaps they should come out and make a statement as to why they did make the call.
Brian T. Jul 25, 2009, 8:25pm UTC
I'm surprised that the neighbors didn't know the Gates odds are he is only the leading African American scholar in the country and is on TV just about every week. It seems that the neighbors would know Gates on sight and even the cops for that matter.
Brian T. Jul 25, 2009, 8:30pm UTC
Heck, Gates wrote at least 10 books, edited 5 others and was featured in 7 films. It seems that the neighbors would know him IMO, cops too.
Kris M. Jul 25, 2009, 8:28pm UTC
I have heard CNN report that the 911 call came from a passerby who saw him trying to get in the front door, although other networks keep saying it was a neighbor, so I'm not sure. I think there are sub-stories spinning from this by now, but a passerby sounds more likely than a neighbor.
Mary Ann Slavcheff Jul 25, 2009, 8:40pm UTC
Gates' home had been broken into before. Perhaps the neighbors heard the noise and did not get a good look at the suspect. I think they did Gates a favor.
Lee Y. Jul 26, 2009, 1:16pm UTC
I agree. Although they may not be so quick to check out suspects at his house from now on. Not on purpose ... but in self defense; having been put on notice from Mr. Gates that doing their job will get them a reprimand from the POTUS.
Mary Ann Slavcheff Jul 25, 2009, 8:45pm UTC
Brian, I have assigned many of Gates' essays, but I would not recognize him if he walked up to me. I work in a college and do not know most of the other professors. I do not know my neighbors very well either. The woman who found my cat last week lives practically right behind my house, but I never met her before.
Juan J Martinez Jul 26, 2009, 1:46pm UTC
I do not feel the initial call was made because of Professor Gates' race. However the question that should be asked is if all things being equal if he would have been arrested for disorderlly conduct if he had been white instead of black.?Would the cop have felt the need to have arrested the Professor if Gates were not a black man making remarks about his mother but instead just another white Harvard Professor?
Alan D. Jul 28, 2009, 2:30pm UTC
The caller is not a neighbor at all. She lives in a different town (Malden) and was passing by. If you listen to the tape she says she was stopped by an old lady who thought there was a break in. It seems that that ol'lady is a neighbor.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.