I think most of us are familiar with the phrase "let cooler heads prevail." On the outside looking in that was probably not the case with the situation where Harvard Professor Skip Gates was arrested by Cambridge Massachusetts Police Officer James Crowley. I can see where Professor Gates might have gotten a little testy if he perceived that Officer Crowley had pressured him more than was required to establish his identity as he stood in his own residence. I can also see where Officer Crowley might have intentionally pressed harder if he perceived that Professor Gates had unduly resisted his request for cooperation.
I also understand President Obama coming to the defense of a friend whom he felt might have been mistreated or been the victim of racial profiling since it falls within the realm of reality. Since he is the President of the United States and doesn't always check his polling numbers before he responds, President Obama's candidness, Professor Gates' resistance, and Officer Crowley's insistence on making what was in my opinion an ill-advised arrest, extended the shelf life of an unfortunate incident.
Yet hindsight is 20/20. I think all principals would agree to a do-over if it was possible. In Bible study, my pastor taught that it is not a sin to get angry. He said the sin occurs when we stay angry. Judging from their recent positive actions, it appears that the central cast members of this short story are repentance, wish to reconcile their differences and move forward. It remains to be seen if casual spectators, the mainstream media, and interfering back seat drivers let them.
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