Police Abuse: Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Arrested In His Own Home


Police Brutality: Red-faced Cambridge officials dropped what they called “regrettable” charges against Harvard’s most prominent black scholar, who was arrested in his home last week by a cop looking for a burglar. But Professor Henry Louis (Skip) Gates Jr. says that’s not enough: he wants a direct apology from the police sergeant who arrested him. “He should look into his soul and he should apologize to me,” Gates told the Washington Post in an exclusive interview Tuesday. “If so, I will be prepared to forgive him.” He also said he now plans to make a new PBS documentary about racial profiling in arrests. The city of Cambridge issued a statement calling Gates’ arrest on charges of disorderly conduct “regrettable and unfortunate.” Gates, 58, was handcuffed and hauled away Thursday afternoon after kicking up an angry fuss when Sgt. James Crowley entered his house and demanded proof he lived there. The bizarre incident revived the Boston area’s image as a hotbed of racial tension – something Cambridge officials were eager to reverse. “This incident should not be viewed as one that demeans the character and reputation of Professor Gates or the character of the Cambridge Police Department,” the city said. “All parties agree that this is a just resolution to an unfortunate set of circumstances.” But Gates didn’t appear ready to forgive and forget. “There are one million black men in jail in this country and last Thursday I was one of them,” he said. “It’s one thing to write