Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (l.) with Chris Rock during the filming of 'African American Lives'
Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. (click title to entry - thank you) has sent a bouquet of flowers and a note to the woman whose 911 call led to his arrest earlier this month.
Wendy Murphy, lawyer and spokeswoman for Lucia Whalen, said yesterday that Gates had sent her client a bouquet of flowers as an “expression of gratitude.’’ Murphy said she believed it was a bouquet of tulips. The flowers came with a note from Gates, the contents of which Murphy would not disclose....
The lawyers are all assembled. It seems like the worst nightmare for these folks. At least Dr. Gates is attempting to 'make peace' and 'propagate dialogue.' I congratulate him and his dignity of carrying out these tasks without press conferences which force all parties into their own camps.
Disarming a volatile social 'dynamic' takes a willingness by all parties and skill by the media covering it. That skill remains under developed in our USA media.
Sergeant James Crowley departed from not exploiting the 'dynamics' surrounding the arrest of Dr. Gates by holding a press conference. The White Guy actually had a 'No-No Moment' by departing from 'willingness' into 'self protection' and an agenda demanded from peers for an apology. In other words, he embarassed himself by 'creating higher stakes' for everyone else.
By stating no one apologized allowed others to understand that he was allowed to maintain 'his stance' while everyone else did the same thing. That CREATED victimization of everyone including the citizens of the nation that was actually seeking a dialogue to RESOLVE such dynamics in communities across the USA.
I rather not get into further victimization of Sergeant Crowley, but, let's get this right. Here was an officer that is supposed to be a lecturer on how to avoid racial profiling 'creating' a platform that would victimize everyone else. He 'created' a platform for police officers. A self-righteous platform that was supposed to 'cause' a particular 'stand' on the issue. It is self protectionism and disabled the openness between parties. There is no 'stand' to take within a process that is to produce a dialogue between persons and authorities. There is no 'platform,' there is simply the FACTS and a WILLINGNESS to openly examine all the 'understandings' of what occurred with HOPES of revealing a TRUTH that resolves tensions and prejudices.
What occurred with Dr. Gates should not have. It was a misunderstanding that escalated when it should have de-escalated with learning 'the truth' of the circumstances. There is something wrong here. If 'platforms' are going to take the place of facts and examination of those facts we will get nowhere. I am a little surprised Sgt. Crowley doesn't seem to know that. I believe the 'rush' to 'create' a platform for police officers regarding racial profiling speaks loudly to a paranoya within the 'police culture' that drives them into self-protection.
Then the press disembarked from the purpose of the meeting President Obama ALLOWED and NURTURED to exploit it for defamation (which is somewhat racial, by the way) with potential to capture 'a public enthusiasm' to defame as well. There was also an element of 'judgement' by the 'names and types' of beer being served as 'favorites' of the participants.
At some level the beer breweries were probably pullling for their brands. Sorry, but, this is nothing but commercial exploitation of an opportunity to improve issues surrounding racial profiling. IT IS NOT ALLOWED.
Now, I don't know what it takes to have the USA media actually demand a return of dignity to their craft, but, it is becoming an embarrassment to realize such a 'precious' moment in raising relations within communities with their law enforcement agencies turned into a nasty nest for victimizing in hopes of politicking and potential commerical exploitation that would no doubt errupt into beer brawls in taverns with all elements sequestered further into their corners.
I have a tough time believing the media wasn't a willing participant in this witch hunt, but, the purpose here is for reflection of what occurred and why 'the moment' was lost at all.
Isn't it enough to realize racism is still alive in the USA? Isn't it enough to realize we are presented with a President not only allowing transparency, but, demanding it? Isn't enough to stop the hate at every available opportunity? Or is the fact that is most relevent here the one that dictates irresponsiblity and authority defamation to 'juice' the headlines and sell more papers.
What I am concerned about through this experience with the USA media is the realization we do not know boundaries anymore of the appropriate nature of the media as opposed to the commercial exploitation of the news. You'll excuse me, but, I thought commercial exploitation is supposed to occur in the ADVERTISING and not reporting of the facts or editorial content.The 'dynamics' of seeking a resolve to social 'dysfunction' within the USA society needs to be appreciated by the media IF they are to be participants. Sincerely. Like. What the heck does the media think they are doing anymore? Competing with commentators that lie for political gain at a corrupt media service? Wow. Not good. Not good at all.
