We've come to a point where we cannot be honest with ourselves because one side has taken the power in the argument. Where there shouldn't even be a side. We are on this planet together (no matter what shade our skin is), that's not going to change and nor should it.

When Gates implied that the officer was a racist, he crossed a line. To me that's JUST as bad as using the 'N' word -- something that really doesn't have any meaning at all to most (other than it's a word that's ok for most folks of color to say but off limits for everyone else).

To get over this divide, we need to give up the fear and have some honest discussions that aren't charged with 'your a racist'.

Sadly, racial leadership is lacking in this country. The color of your skin doesn't give you the right to complain, nor to behave in whatever way you please just because somebody's ancestor may or may not have thought that he owned the ancestor of the other. The race card is tired and it's not helping anyone.

Racism is alive in this country. I believe it. But it's propogated just as much if not MORE by the black community than the white community. Honestly, we won't get past this until the chip comes off the shoulder.

And we won't get over this until we learn to communicate.

The only people who use the "pulling the race card" card are the people who are themselves racists. When a racist wants to dismiss the very idea of racism, they always whine that someone is "pulling the race card". Unfortunately, this often will force the victim to back down.

We are living in the land of slavery and Jim Crow. It is absurd that so many of us would treat claims of racial discrimination as incredible.

Just a few months ago thousands, if not millions, of Americans used Barack Obama's blackness as a reason to not vote for him. Right on TV, without shame, they talked about how they couldn't vote for a black person.

The stench of racism is all around us. If you don't smell it, you're a racist.

I'm sick to death of you blacks who call everybody else that disagrees with you racist. Do you even know what the definition of a racist is? I seriously doubt it and you are too stupid to look it up so I’ll tell you. “The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others” ok so now you know, so quit your crying and complaining and realize that the reason so many people can’t stand you is because of your ignorance and complete disregard for raising your children right and showing respect. You deserve none and will get none until then. I just laugh to myself whenever I see you people and thank God I not one of you. Sounds racist huh? Well there you go then.

sometime my white friends,you just dont get it,the pain we have felt for so long it leaves you just waiting for the next incident to happen, you almost know its comming,you really hope never,but my friends there are good and bad ones on both sides, on the job,cops,store workers, oh they are there so dont take it to personal, you can tell we do like each other, because just look at all those kids out there, you can hardly tell the race so its comming that great day, one nation under god, read the news an say just chill my friend chill.

You obviously have not spent any time as an African American Male! If you had, you would know exactly how, why and for what reason Dr. Gates responded the way that he did!

Every one seems to forget that he was not charged for breaking into his house he was charged for creating a disturbance. Could it be that the professor is the one thats racist and had a problem with a white cop doing his job in investigating a reported burglary and carried on in such a way that he got arrested for it. Maybe if he thanked the officer for responding to his residence to make sure it was not being broken into instead of carrying of accusing him of being a racist and creating a disturbance. Unless you were there dont judge the officer for doing his job. There were also black officers on the scene by the looks of the photos.

I think the best response to the Gates questions:

Think of a way,an action me/you personally can do- something to combat racism.

By the responses it looks like there are people ready to dance on the minute facets of all sides to the questions.

William, you sicken me. You ARE in fact racist. What do you mean "you people" and why are we too stupid to look up the definition of racist? You imply it's because of being black. Why don't you look up the word "imply".

We have three observations about the Harvard professor incident:

1. We find it interesting that the fact that this was the professor's home was evidently not established early on way before the dispute escalated;

2. We find it fascinating that the versions of two members of society, who most would ordinarily view as responsible and honest citizens (this obviously does not include politicians), would vary so dramatically from a factual point of view.

3. Finally, considering that the reading and viewing public were not present at the scene (and thus have no first hand knowledge), and that there is no video tape to our knowledge of the sequence of events and what was said, how so many have formed conclusions, and made assumptions, about who did what and who was wrong.

There are some things which Professor Gates might have considered upon the arrival of the police, no matter how incensed he may have been.

I believe we have a simple incident that Mr. Gates chose not to handle in an appropriate manner.

#1. He was witnessed breaking into a house.
#2. His own neighbor called the police and reported a possible robbery.
#3. The police arrived on-site where a possible robbery/break-in had been reported.

If Mr. Gates had calmly shown the officers high ID instead or 'insisting' that he was the resident (which, if it was my house, I would want the officer to do more than take someone's word for their identity) the incident would have ended there.

Now, I find myself wanting to further address the over-whelming 'race' issue as well. Almost anytime a non-white is 'called out', the race card is thrown. Here are my two cents for those folks... What would happen if tomorrow I did one of the following:
1. Created a White Entertainment Television (WET)
2. Created a White Chamber of Commerce
3. Created a college that only accepted people of non-color
4. Held a White Million Man March

etc...etc...etc...
Being proud of who you are is not a crime, irregardless of your color.