Black On Campus
Higher Education and the African American Experience

CPD Backs Down, Drops Charges Against Black Harvard Prof

July 21st, 2009 by Ajuan Mance

denise_simmons

Cambridge Mayor E. Denise Simmons (photo source) has stated that she hopes to apologize personally to Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. for his treatment by her city’s police department.

(Photo Source: Joe. My.God. blog)

***

It’s important to remember that “race” is only a sociopolitical category, nothing more. At the same time… that doesn’t help me when I’m trying to get a taxi on the corner of 125th and Lenox Ave.

–Henry Louis Gates, Jr. in Loose Canons: Notes on the Culture Wars

A joint statement issued by the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts and the Cambridge Police Department has called the arrest of African American Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. “regrettable and unfortunate.” The same release expresses “this incident [of his arrest] should not be viewed as one that demeans the character and reputation of Professor Gates or the character of the Cambridge Police Department. All parties agree that this [decision to drop all charges] is a just resolution to an unfortunate set of circumstances.”

To read the press release in its entirety, follow THIS LINK to the City of Cambridge Police Department.

Posted by Ajuan Mance

Posted in Academia, African Americans, Current Events, Henry Louis Gates, Higher Education, race


(comments are closed).