Donna Brazile has an interesting take on the Gates/Crowley affair. I wish more people could take her approach on this, and calmly, rationally discuss the issue without turning on the flame thrower. Her comment that “My experience, however, tells me that the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle” is right on.

She goes on to say that “I do know, however, that being a black person has shaped many of my experiences, both joyous and horrific, as an American citizen and has helped shape my outlook.” I couldn’t agree more. And if you remove the word “black” form that sentence, that’s where we need to be as a country, and as individuals. We all are shaped by our experiences, and those experiences differ among us all. Perceptions are what need to be dealt with. I think we have come far enough to realize that African Americans are not our enemy…

Bob Greene has more here…

2 Responses to “Donna Brazile's take on Gates/Crowley/Obama”

1. andre says:

   July 30, 2009 at 3:18 pm

   I am a 18 year veteran, Black NYPD officer which gives me a somewhat unique perspective on the Gates case. I think that many white officers do not see what they do as racist. White America, having never experienced the same level of racism chooses to define racism as THEY see it. In our long history it has become the norm to treat African Americans as if they should ALWAYS be submissive and not just to the Police. When an African American male Stands up for himself he is usually seen as UPPITY and/or an ignorant troublemaker. Take Officer Barrett, I believe that he honestly feels that he is not a racist…he has “black Friends” . Calling gates a Monkey is the same to him as calling him an A**hole…Its NOT the same. I feel sorry for him and his family. I wish that he had not done that. He acted STUPIDLY but maybe now that he has lost everything to racism he will have some small idea of what it feels like for Black Americans when racism takes everything from us.
2. musicseawater says:

   July 31, 2009 at 10:16 am

   The fact that this story is getting so much play shows you exactly how lopsided this country is where race is concerned.

   A White cop is said ti have made a mistake and the entire country is in an uproar. But when cops kill A Black man, shooting him 46 times and NOT finding a weapon, it’s a one day story!

   The cops investigate themselves, are found to have had “reasonable cause” (he looked suspicious and we feared for our lives) and that’s the end of THAT story.

   Just another dead negro.

   When this country wakes up to the simple fact that there are indeed, two different sets of rules for cops, one for Whites and another for Blacks, the sooner we can have an HONEST discussion about this issue.

   Until that time however, White’s just don’t get it and obviously are in no hurry TO get it!