This week a Harvard Professor was arrested at his home for breaking into it - he couldn't open the door so he had to break into his own house. Most people have had some reason to break into their house, right? I have. Living with two teens means keys are lost and I am often locked out. That's life. Once when I went to my husband's house, I had no key so I sort of broke in. The security alarm went off and the police came. I simply said I was sorry for their bother and they left. They did not check my ID or ask me any questions. If the cops had checked my ID they would have noticed that my name was different than my husband's name and the address on my ID was from a different state. I would have looked guilty of breaking in. I was worried, but clearly, didn't need to be. I am a white woman, after all.
Professor Henry Louis Gates is black. He was arrested at his home. He showed his ID that showed his address as being the same as the house he was supposedly breaking into. I know these are just two examples and there are hundreds that may or may not be fair. Who knows. But at the very least, the dumbo cop should apologize. Be courageous. Say you made a mistake and then make sure you bring your keys.
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