Three characters, one event, one comment and the whole place is agog with accusations and counter accusations. Back to the story briefly;

A Black man [ I hate to use colours to describe humans] Henry Louis Gates, who is a Harvard professor, wanted to enter his own house. The door did not open as quick as he wanted so he forced his way in. Someone alerted the police. Enter a Whiteman, James Crowley, a police officer. The professor could not understand why someone will question him for entering his own house, whichever way he chooses, probably wondering 'is it because I am Black?' The White officer thought the man was rude and arrested him for disorderly conduct . The matter got to the attention of President Barak Obama. He said the police acted stupidly, which I believe is a fair assessment. Now they say Mr Presidents comment smack of racial bias. The noise was all over the place. To cool-u temper, Mr president has invited the two parties to the White House to drink beer.

Pray, did President Obama act wrongly in this matter, dunno. What do you say?

The trio:

Una don begin tribalise USA matter now abi?

To be honest, i think Obama acted foolishly in using the 'stupid' word without knowing everything about the case. The last thing he needs is to insert himself into any racially charged argument, it's a lose-lose situation for him.

The white police officer in question is reputed to be pretty friendly to blacks and has no recorded history of racial discrimination.

@nex

No be us, na dem dem de tribalise their thing

texazzpete:

[b]To be honest, i think Obama acted foolishly in using the 'stupid' word without knowing everything about the case. The last thing he needs is to insert himself into any racially charged argument, it's a lose-lose situation for him.[/b]The white police officer in question is reputed to be pretty friendly to blacks and has no recorded history of racial discrimination.

I couldnt agree with you more bros. Whatever the case, the police officer was just doing his job! what if it was a real burglar and he didnt do anything, theyd say it's cos the house belongs to a black man.  Obama no try at all o, haba i was quite surprised when i heard he used that word

NO obama did not handle this well. he lost his cool and i'm sure he regrets. he is trying to make amends. i hope he succeeds

@pres-elect,

NO obama did not handle this well. he lost his cool and i'm sure he regrets. he is trying to make amends. i hope he succeeds

Are you for real? This must be the schizophrenic half of pres-elect. I thot you sadi on the other thread that the arrest was racially motivated. If it was, how could you say Obama erred by calling the Police stupid? U try no be small.

Adrenaline:

I couldnt agree with you more bros. Whatever the case, the police officer was just doing his job! what if it was a real burglar and he didnt do anything, theyd say it's cos the house belongs to a black man. Obama no try at all o, haba i was quite surprised when i heard he used that word

Gbam, gbam and gbam!!!

Tayo-D:

@pres-elect,
Are you for real? This must be the schizophrenic half of pres-elect. I thot you sadi on the other thread that the arrest was racially motivated. If it was, how could you say Obama erred by calling the Police stupid? U try no be small.

tayo d sometimes u make me laugh

anyway, obama is the president. i did not expect him to get involved in this mess and even if he was asked, i expected him to be more cautious with his response.

however, i never maligned the officer. i didnt call him racist. i'll rather say his action was due to a ricial bias that exists perhaps unconsciously in the mind of many americans of all races including some blacks, that blakcs are more likely to be criminals. i have seen black girls who will rush to protect their handbags when they see young black males around them. it's all due to what we see on tv everyday.

i expected him to be more cautious with his response.

Agreed, but don't you think the police officer acted below expectation? Yes he came there because a curious neighbour tipped him off, but he was sufficiently satisfied that the professor is not a burglar, yet proceeded to arrest him for disorderly conduct, making it look like he wanted to arrest the prof. at all costs. I think that was what drew the ire of president Obama

newdeal:

Agreed, but don't you think the police officer acted below expectation? Yes he came there because a curious neighbour tipped him off, but he was sufficiently satisfied that the professor is not a burglar, yet proceeded to arrest him for disorderly conduct, making it look like he wanted to arrest the prof. at all costs. I think that was what drew the ire of president Obama

I agree. While I can understand the immense and stressful job the police go through. In some instances their 'Power trips" need to be checked.

Mr Gates has rights and if he feels he is being harrassed, has the right to object

What the hell is 'disorderly conduct"' in front of your house.

Yes, Obama acted right!

The cop acted very stupidly!

seriously i think the president should not have involved himself in this.

hope the beer has settled the problem?

seriously i think the president should not have involved himself in this.

Maybe,
maybe not, don't forget the professor in question is a friend of the president.