black and white in black and white

The roles have been cast. Representing the left: angry black man with a chip on his shoulder. On the right: racist rogue cop. No deviating from the script, please.

But suppose — just suppose — less broad caricatures were at play in Professor Gates’ arrest. Anyone ever met a scholar with a self-righteous streak? Yeah, me too. And who hasn’t crossed paths with an an overzealous cop.

Gates was assuredly pissed that he’d locked himself out of his home, and when he learned a white woman had called the cops on him he was, understandably, more pissed.

The cop probably felt the same way once the monied academic started with the broad accusations. No one wants to be assumed a racist, and there’s no evidence to support the cop in question is (though in the broader sense, black mistrust of law enforcement is perfectly reasonable).

I’m glad the president reconsidered. Their respective track records suggest both Gates and the cop are decent enough chaps who overreacted. The cop, more so, because no laws were broken; Massachusetts’ disorderly conduct statute applies only when disturbing the public peace.

That said, it’s never a good idea to be confrontational with a cop. Considering the charges were dropped, the harm done was minimal.

Moderation is often viewed as a vice these days, and the propagandists don’t help. Rush Limbaugh wasn’t at Gates’ house, and neither was Al Sharpton. Assuming the worst usually serves their interests — not ours.