To the Editor:
I fully agree with Bob Herbert that “black people need to roar out their anger . . . lift up their voices and demand change.” The racial aspect of this issue must be forcefully discussed.
But can we also expand this contemplation beyond the scope of race to acknowledge that this is also about power, and that there are those in this world in certain positions, whether it be a police officer, mayor or executive, who require, first and foremost, deference, and who will abuse that power if the expected deference has not been received?
Elizabeth Sabo
New York, Aug. 1, 2009
To the Editor:
Self-responsibility is the cornerstone of a civilized society. When people act responsibly, they are generally treated responsibly regardless of their skin color or social standing.
When a uniformed police officer asks you to “please step outside,” there can be only one responsible reply: “Yes, Officer.” That moment was the tipping point and indeed the tripping point of the social interchange between Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Sgt. James Crowley. Obviously, both men tipped and tripped.
This “teachable moment” is not about militant anger. This “teachable moment” is about responsible behavior.
Miles E. Kuttler
Aventura, Fla., Aug. 1, 2009
Note from KBJ: This case is indeed about the abuse of power—and the associated expectation of deference. Professor Gates is a privileged and powerful figure on the Harvard University campus. Administrators fawn over him; his colleagues make nice to him; and his graduate students worship (and fear) him (for he has power over their careers). He thought that this exalted on-campus status made him privileged and powerful off campus, especially when dealing with a lowly white working-class police officer. He learned otherwise. Nobody is above (or below) the law.
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 