'I Am Not A Racist,' Says Cop Who Wrote Gates Slur

[SemiCharmedQuark]

"It was a poor choice of words. I did not mean to offend anyone," Barrett told NewsCenter 5's Cheryl Fiandaca.
...
The e-mail was first sent to the Boston Globe and then to local members of the National Guard, in response to a Globe article about Gates' arrest.In the e-mail, Barrett writes, "(Gates') first priority should be to get off the phone and comply with police, for if I was the officer he verbally assaulted like a ... jungle monkey, I would have sprayed him in the face with OC deserving of his belligerent non-compliance."

Barrett said he was venting his frustrations about the author and the way they characterized police officers.
Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis found out about the e-mail on Tuesday and immediately stripped Barrett of his gun and badge, officials said.

"The words were being used to characterize behavior not describe anyone," said Barrett. "It was a poor choice of words. I didn't mean it in a racist way. I treat everyone with dignity and respect."

...

Maj. James Sahady, a spokesman for the National Guard, said, "Capt. Barrett’s opinions are in complete violation of Army and National Guard Values and will not be tolerated."

Barrett has been a Boston police officer for two years and received extensive training in racial profiling prevention while in the academy.

"People go through these courses and they pass them and you don't know what they are going to do in a situation," said Menino.

Barrett and his attorney said they will fight the charges brought both by the police department and the National Guard.

"People are making it about race. It is not about race," Barrett claimed.

Barrett will get only pro forma support from the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association which condemned the e-mail, but said it is contractually obligated to protect his rights at a disciplinary hearing.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/20219730/detail.html

[BlooInBloo]

1. Well there you go. It was a poor choice of words. Why all the hubbub?

[HCE SuiGeneris]

55. If you only had a sense of humor...

:9

[BlooInBloo]

78. Hush. I'm busy waiting for all of the facts to come out.

:P

[EFerrari]

2. Was his trainer Crowley?

lol

[myrna minx]

98. I have to say that I was totally wrong the other day.

I discovered my (someone that I had thought was an unimpeachable source) source in the Boston Fire department had it completely wrong about Crowley and I feel really dumb for believing him. *Really* dumb. I just wanted to set the record straight. :hi:

[EFerrari]

102. Well, if we don't stick up for the best we know about people, who are we?

:hi:

[timeforpeace]

3. Fire him. Now.

[nc4bo]

4. Oh FFS, shut up scumbag. We know what you meant. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. "People are making it about race. It is not about race," Barrett claimed.

:eyes:

[tblue37]

40. Um, what other context is "jungle bunny" used in?

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Here's some of your brand of dignity and respect:

[EFerrari]

12. You know, I feel mortified for what Skip Gates went through

but this shake up is probably the best possible thing and in so many ways.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Oh I definitely agree

The rats are emerging from their holes.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. BTW, did you see his email?

[EFerrari]

22. Yes, I did. That should earn him an editorial position at The Globe

or at Fox.

[Starry Messenger]

35. I think I just died a little inside.

a) horrible and racist

b) how did he get to be an English teacher and be so virulently anti-intellectual?

c) "He is a suspect and will always be a suspect." :scared:



What's his screen name at FR?

[lexanman]

54. what's wrong with you?

don't ever question his constitutional rights. extreme:sarcasm:

[Starry Messenger]

63. Heh, I work as a teacher.

If this guy was that racist he had to be leaking weird vibes for ages. I would be rightfully rode out on a rail from my job if I ever produced something like the sack of hate in that letter. People who work in jobs with the government KNOW this crap is wrong!

[lexanman]

65. The "cop", and I use that term with reservation

sounds exactly like a Hannity or Beck freak. Teabagger type. The guy is so angry and hateful, and frankly sounds violent. And people on here really wonder why we question cops. The scary part is while this jackoff is openly stupid, there is a huge undercurrent in law enforcement that share this asshole's values. Just not dumb enough to display it.

[defendandprotect]

71. I was reading that in car stops they should look with suspicion on anyone mentioning Constitution-!!

Must be some really great training going on . .

and Crowley should be immediately taken out of leading any training!!!

[Fumesucker]

43. What happened to the paragraph breaks?

Does this "English teacher" know what a carriage return is?

[tblue37]

44. He writes

"ax" for "ask" twice, as well as writing "prejudice" where he needs the past participle ("prejudiced"). He uses the word "transcended" in a way that is quite impossible: "transcend" means to rise above; he says "transcended back to," which is already wrong, and then follows it with an entity rather than a place or a condition, thus committing another error altogether. He also writes "tremains" for "remains." And this is someone who feels he can criticize a reporter for being a bad writer?!

I teach college English. I don't know what level of English he supposedly taught, but I cringe at the errors in his writing--and at the open racism. (He says "jungle bunny" once and "jungle monkey" three times, yet expects us to believe that such phrases do not indicate that he is a racist!)

[Mariana]

57. He used "ax" for "ask" deliberately, I think.

It isn't just an error. I believe this is how he imagines African-Americans pronounce "ask". I've read and heard this before from people who were tying to mock AA people's speech.

[tblue37]

59. When writing in a way that is intended to mock the erroneous speech of another,

the writer should take care to make it quite clear that the erroneous language patterns are intended as satire, or the writer will end up simply looking as though he is the one who regularly uses that pattern.

Again, if he were a halfway decent English teacher, he would know something about making his points completely clear so that his reader won't be misled.

[KDFW]

109. No, "ax" is how illiterate morons of any ethnicity pronounce "ask."

I find it impossible to believe anyone doesn't know this.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

112. How do you pronounce it?

I'm wondering, given your adventures with literacy in that illegal background checks thread.

[Vinnie From Indy]

96. My thoughts exactly

God help America if this guy is really an English teacher. The "ax" thing is a favorite way for guys like Limbaugh to mock "those people".

This guy's defense that his words are being taken out of context and that he was not using the terms "jungle bunny" and "jungle monkey" as a slur is ridiculous. His rant is clearly racist.

[tblue37]

48. BTW, notice all the Republican talking points;

"secure our freedoms and borders," "limit and reduce my taxes," "the right to celebrate God and beliefs."

Yeah, pal, we've got your number all right.

[rvablue]

107. +1. That's right out of Palin's cut-and-paste farewell speech.

[horseshoecrab]

49. jeezus

oh.my.god

You know, there are racist cops in all of our cities here. I bet it's that way in a lot of cities in this country, but I think the whole Boston Metro area has had a tough time dealing with racial reality.

I lived through the Southie scenes of the mid seventies in a very up close and personal way. In some ways, not much has changed it's just gone somewhat underground. I still know people who brag that they'd work MLK day if they could - in protest.

It was good to see the Boston Police Commissioner and Mayor Menino react so swiftly. Menino described it as a cancer that needed to be removed.

What a sick f**k.


horseshoecrab,
shaking my head in wonder - but thank you for posting it.

[TahitiNut]

66. That's so fucking appalling I can't even begin to understand how anyone wouldn't see it.

"a banana-eating jungle monkey"?? "I might as well ax(sic) you"?? "swarmed by black gnats"?? "back to a bumbling jungle monkey"?? "... ax(sic) me what I think"??

It's IMPOSSIBLE to read that and NOT see an abominable racist (and neoconservative, to boot)!!

[defendandprotect]

74. Thank you -- this cop looks like a racist/sexist time bomb . . . !!!

Well, I think "former English teacher" is a clue . . . sigh!!

"assuming he has rights when considered a suspect" . . .

"He is a suspect and will always be a suspect" . . .

I think they're being taught this crap.


He also attempts to degrade the journalist with personal attacks --

What the hell is this . . . ? Presume the journalist is a female?

"You are a hot little bird with minimal experience in a harsh field. You are a fool.
An infidel." "You should serve me coffee and donuts on Sunday morning."

"or you just need to get slapped."

In challenging Gates . . .

"He has indeed transcended back to a bumbling jungle monkey."

"Gates is a goddamned fool..."

"Article should read: CONDUCT UNBECOMING A JUNGLE MONKEY-BACK TO ONE'S ROOTS"


Lucky this incident occurred because this man is a big question for dealing with the public!!

And that "poor choice of words" is repeated throughout his letter!!

Oops!

[skypilot]

83. Jesus H. Christ!!!

This guy's a former English teacher?!?! And writer?! I couldn't even read the entire thing because it was so rambling and poorly worded. But I did notice that he managed to use the phrase "jungle monkey" at least THREE fucking times.

[Generic Other]

90. Who is going to be serving coffee and donuts from now on???

"...your written messages and material is so 4th grade level..." This coming from the former English teacher? Guess I don't have to "ax" why he don't teach English no mo!

[hileeopnyn8d]

99. Holy crap!

That is beyond offensive. Poor choice of words? I hope he means all two thousand of them in the email.

[1monster]

108. If I were the teacher grading this, I would not even try to read it.

It would get an automatic "F" for failure to break for paragraphs.

I tried, really hard, to read his rant, but "mine eyes dazzled" trying to make sense of this tightly typed screed.

I'm glad he's no longer "teaching" English.

It's too bad that a man who uses such and so many racist "witticisms" is an LEO.

[PA Democrat]

111. I went back and reread that after I got over my initial revulsion at the racism.

Then I saw the overt sexism. Then I saw that the balance of the content was just plain bat-shit craziness. Why does this idiot think Gates has responsibility to try to lower Barrett's taxes or to "secure" our borders. And what's with the "infidel" remark? And are paragraphs against this guy's religious beliefs or is he really such a miserable failure at writing in the very subject he claimed to teach?

[Spazito]

61. I have to admit I am torn as well...

What happened to Dr. Gates should NEVER have happened but, given it did, the focus on racism and racial profiling both within the law enforcement profession and the larger society would not be happening if the bogus arrest of Dr. Gates had not happened. I really am torn on it.

[defendandprotect]

68. Yes and hoping that Gates will think of some creative use for this horrid experience . . .

[Tangerine LaBamba]

7. Fire his ass -

that one's too stupid to live..................

[tj2001]

8. Dollars to donuts he'll be hired by another law enforcement agency soon

an all-white police or sheriff's department in Idado or someplace like that.

Certified racist police officers are a valuable commodity in those parts.

[nc4bo]

11. or Blackwater. nt

[EFerrari]

13. Or Amway.

[MADem]

30. They're now the unpronounceable "Xe"..... nt

[nc4bo]

32. I know. Maybe I should say Blackwater/Xe just so no one ever forgets who and

what they really are.

No fresh start for them.

[MADem]

95. Wonder if they'll hire him if he gets a bad conduct discharge from the NG?

They might not be very picky...

[blondeatlast]

36. Some people say that Sheriff Joe Arpaio is seeking to raise the salary cap

to get him (/jk from a bitter Maricopa County resident).

[Arkana]

9. "I am not a crook. I've earned everything I've got."

Another very famous man said that, and guess what--he WAS a crook!

[SemiCharmedQuark]

14. The title should really be "I am not a racist, says guy who is a racist"

[hlthe2b]

10. such a charmer....

:eyes:


I can just imagine his vocabulary for uppity women.

[Ken Burch]

18. It'd pretty much be the same as the "officers and gentlemen" of Tailhook

:eyes:

[LooseWilly]

31. Ironically... my first glance at your title looked like "such a Kramer..."

Only after a few moments of consideration did the irony set in...

[hlthe2b]

34. ....

;)

[PA Democrat]

15. Holy crap. It's even more despicable when you see the context in which he used it.

And he brags he would have pepper sprayed Gates in the face. :puke:

[defendandprotect]

75. That was alarming . . . !!! Good thing he didn't respond to the call --

as I said in another post, Gates would probably be dead having jumped off his

porch in a drug frenzy -- !!!

:sarcasm:

[sabrina 1]

101. Worse, he would have sprayed him in the face

in his own home simply for not 'showing respect' to this moron. He doesn't even know basic law.

It's a good thing he was stupid enough to write that vile piece of vitriol to someone outside his dept. This didn't just start with him reading an article. I bet he's said and written this kind of thing before, and worse but only to people who agree with him.

I've met people like him on rightwing boards. Even down to the 'you need to be slapped' opinion when talking to a woman.

He's too stupid for words, to think he THINKS anyone would believe he is 'not a racist' after reading this.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

16. Of course he'll say that otherwise

he's out of a job. One of the telling things in this whole mess is the attitude displayed by policemen as exemplified by this:
I would have sprayed him in the face with OC deserving of his belligerent non-compliance.

Police should be trained the way they trained Bobbys in England. Try to solve the problem first, treat people with respect. It seems all the police really care about is proving 'who is boss' rather than anything else.

[marmar]

19. I don't know what's worse, the slur or the pathetic defense......

n/t

[Fire1]

21. Riiiiiiiight. n/t

[Historic NY]

23. poor choice of words..that must be the new mantra.

[MADem]

28. I am surprised he didn't haul out the old "IF I offended anyone, I am sorry."

The old non-apology apology.

Horrible idiot.

[blondeatlast]

37. My first thought as well. nt

[imdjh]

51. I hate that pseudo apology. It's a cultural plague at the moment.

You even see it in court rooms where people have committed crimes and are supposedly trying to win over a judge before sentencing, though I suppose it doesn't actually matter what you say at those things. "I'm sorry for any pain I may have caused you." What? You killed their son, and you're sorry "if" you caused them pain?

And as a society we let this pass. Which isn't surprising when you consider Alford pleas and no-contest and that sort of thing.

[Mariana]

58. Wait. I'm sure it's coming soon.

[Mariana]

60. If nothing else, he's proven that he's too stupid

to be a police officer, in additon to being dishonest.

[defendandprotect]

76. Idiot repeats the same insult over and again in his letter . . .!!!

[MADem]

24. Jungle Monkey five or so times is a poor choice of words?????

It's not about race, eh? It's about what...sociopathic behavior?

If that's his idea of treating "everybody with dignity and respect" I don't want to be anywhere near him.

When I heard that Mayor Menino called him "scum," I knew it had to be pretty bad. It was. I'm glad the BPPA is just giving him the minumum "pro forma" support, too. They have to do that as a union, but their condemnation of the email is helpful.

I can't believe this little shit is an 0- 3 in the Guard. I'm glad he won't be getting a promotion. He's TOAST.

[ohheckyeah]

41. A banana eating

jungle monkey no less.

[burning rain]

25. He needs to take a page from Glenn Beck & say he was expressing outrage at GATES' racism.

:eyes:

[Fuzz]

26. Yeah, and 'ax' instead of ask? It's all just a regrettable mistake.

Idiot.

[PA Democrat]

91. Yep, and he used it not once, but twice. And he called the writer of the article an "infidel".

:wtf:

[TayTay]

27. Payoff quote of that article

"Barrett will get only pro forma support from the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association which condemned the e-mail, but said it is contractually obligated to protect his rights at a disciplinary hearing."

Interesting. How the hell is that going to work?

[MADem]

33. Someone from the union will show up and make sure that they don't run him through

at the hearing, and they jump through all the hoops, all while not protesting overmuch.... and maybe they will even assign him the lawyer they keep on staff who is a zillion years old anf falls asleep a lot, but who is related to one of the reps, or something.

The die is cast--Menino wants his head. He'll get it, too. It's a done deal, I'm guessing.

[Iggo]

84. I bet it's a little tense, to say the least.

But they're right. That's their job.

[MADem]

29. Check this out--I wonder if he sent that email out while he was DRILLING with the GUARD??????

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/national_guard_suspends_barrett_072909

MILFORD (FOX25, myfoxboston) - On July 23, 2009, the Massachusetts National Guard became aware of a racially insensitive email sent by Capt. Justin Barrett. The Massachusetts National Guard immediately took action to investigate. After a preliminary investigation, Capt. Barrett was suspended from his military duties on July 25, 2009 pending the outcome of further investigation.

The Massachusetts National Guard does not and will not tolerate racially insensitive language.

The language contained in the e-mail violates policies of the Massachusetts National Guard and what it stands for in its commitment to uphold and protect the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Constitution of the United States.

Capt. Justin Barrett's actions and opinions are his own and do not reflect those of the Massachusetts National Guard. Capt. Barrett's opinions are in complete violation of Army and National Guard Values and will not be tolerated.

[noamnety]

53. Thanks for posting that

I missed that part of the story and am thrilled to see they are taking it seriously.

I hope he and the birther Maj Cook both appreciate the fruits of their labor: dismissal from their civilian jobs and release from their reserve/guard duties (and retirement).

[Spazito]

67. Kudos to the Massachusetts National Guard for acting promptly on this...

this racist creep may never have been exposed without them and would still be on the police force and that is a scary thought.

[MADem]

92. Yep. The National Guard acted a WEEK ago--I also think they may have tipped the Boston Police.

I don't know that for a fact, but the time line works--the BPD suspension came two days ago, while the NG suspended him nearly a week ago.

Also, his NG unit is some distance from Boston, so it is entirely possible that his two "lives"--cop and NG captain--did not intersect.

I'm wondering if it wasn't NG "IT" that found that email, and that's what started the ball rolling? I guess we will know more as the situation unfolds.

[Iggo]

85. Fuckin idiot.

One email cost him two fuckin jobs, and I bet he still doesn't think he did anything wrong.

[Uzybone]

38. Stop making it about race you damn negroes and negro sympathisers

its not about race!

[DefenseLawyer]

50. Agitators

They're all agitators.

[tblue37]

39. He also openly admits that he would viciously assault the citizen,

who had broken no laws. I assume such an assault would ostensibly be against departmental policy, so of course he needs to lose his gun and his badge!

[MADem]

45. He is, probably soon-to-be WAS, an 0-3 in the Guard.

I wonder if his Commander or XO is black?

I also wonder if he wrote that shit while he was doing his Active Duty for Training (two weeks of summer camp)?

His unit has already issued a statement, and it ain't "Great job, champ..."

[defendandprotect]

77. Right would have "sprayed him in the face with OC" . . .pepper spray, I think . . .

Real good think he didn't answer the call!!!

[Fumesucker]

42. "I would have sprayed him in the face with OC deserving of his belligerent non-compliance."

"I treat everyone with dignity and respect."

"Oooohkay" -Bull from Night Court

Edited for clarity..

[DeepBlueC]

46. how about it's about being a big fucking bully

because I think you'd push me around too.

[Number23]

47. Rec'd. Thanks, SemiCharmed

[lexanman]

52. well now that he clarifies, it isn't about race

I believe him. He deserves everyone's respect. Pray to Jeebus and all is forgiven and forgotten. The poor cop is just misunderstood. He just said banana eating jungle monkey in relation to a trip he just took to Africa, that's all. He liked seeing the monkeys over there. As for the pepper spray in the face comment, well pepper is a spice, and Gates' surely likes spices. Don't we all love peppery dishes?

[MADem]

94. He gave a very insincere "interview" on local TV. They should use it

as a police instructional video on how to spot a liar. He even used a variation of "Some of my best friends are...."--really.

[horseshoecrab]

56. wow just wow

from the article:
"Barrett has been a Boston police officer for two years and received extensive training in racial profiling prevention while in the academy."



horseshoecrab,

[SeattleGirl]

62. Ah, jeez. Poor choice of words. F'ing bullshit.

"I'm so sorry I called you a n****r, ya black c**n. It was a poor choice of words."

:grr:

[Bluerthanblue]

64. have to Rec. this, even though the email makes me

want to scream.

This man needs some serious help.

He should not be in a position of authority over anyone.

[alcibiades_mystery]

69. No white people are racists...it's all just misunderstanding

That's what DU has taught me over the last two weeks or so.

[Solomon]

82. Doesn't it trip you out? They will latch on to any reason, any,

to say something isn't racist. Only black people are racist. Whites are the only people who know what racism is and isn't.

You can bet your bottom dollar though in any given situation, it's the victim who is the racist. If he's just kept his mouth shut and moved to the back of the bus, it wouldn't have happened.

[EFerrari]

106. Someone here went on and on at me at how much I hated white people

lol, and another has called me a bigot several times. But we're "wasting time" with the race conversation. :sarcasm:

[MADem]

97. That's an unfair generalization of the DU attitude, though.

There are a few deliberately obtuse people on this board, who refuse to see the obvious for their own reasons. Some of them likely have police relatives and don't want the "broad brush" to hit them. Others might be well-hidden trolls, here to make trouble. Still others might be people who call themselves progressives yet have no trouble being racists (all the while denying that they are), or those who have deep-seated subconscious feelings of racism that they, themselves, have yet to acknowledge. However, most of the people here, I think, are horrified, by both the treatment of the Professor and by this asswipe Barrett and his lunatic rantings.

I think the "Nothing to see here" posts stand out more, and assume more importance than they merit, because they're just not supported by what any reasonable person would view as facts.

[defendandprotect]

70. Frightening what he's saying here and in his letter to the Globe posted below . . .

Imagine, however, that he thinks that anyone will accept this was simply "a poor choice of words" !
It wasn't racist? This guy is whacked.

This cop must be told regularly that he's a genius and the public are idiots.
He certainly acts like it.

As he sees it Gates was a "suspect" -- see his letter -- and had no rights except to obey the
officer. Must be some really interesting training they're getting in Boston!

And, he saw Gates' questions to Crowley as "assault" -- and note this . . .
I would have sprayed him in the face with OC deserving of his belligerent non-compliance."

What's "OC" . . . ???

Imagine had this cop responded to the call, Gates may have been dead with drugs all over his
body -- having jumped off the porch, of course, to escape!

These cops seem to be being trained to bait people of color and to be highly insulted at any
lack of conformity on the part of the citizen!!!

And -- this was written while everyone was on Crowley's side and hitting on Gates for his "racism"!!!


And despite what Maj. James Sahady, a spokesman for the National Guard would like us to believe
evidently this cop thought that his e-mail would be well-accepted.

Maybe there should be a review of the cases this cop has handled over the last two years???

And they certainly need to review the training -- especially in regard to someone like Crowley
being an instructor!!!

Wow --

[kestrel91316]

72. He didn't intend to offend anyone?? Oh, right. Because he's too stupid

to realize that anything you say in an email is gonna make it around the world before you get up from the fucking keyboard.

He's too STOOPID to be a cop, let alone too racist.

[Iggo]

73. Justin Barrett. Racist Cop.

Sorry, that wasn't right.

LYING racist cop.

Okay. That's better.

[proud2BlibKansan]

79. kick

[Orsino]

80. I would have a beer with this cop, if I could choose the munchies.

[Vinca]

81. Barrett says it's not about race. Wait, wait, let me guess.

He just likes monkeys.

[unapatriciated]

86. he is also not a sexist.

he just into spanking.

[Karenina]

87. It ISN'T!!! Give the guy a break! He already apologized

to anyone he might, maybe, coulda, sorta offended. Anyway, we used to call Dimson a monkey too... Not EVERYTHING is rascism, ya know!

[Karenina]

88. And everyone can understand

why he might like to rough up that mouthy writer! SHE needs to STFU!!! Maybe he could run her tags... :evilgrin:

[izzybeans]

89. It's not even the racism that bothers me the most, its the fascism

"I would have sprayed him in the face with OC deserving of his belligerent non-compliance."

[Generic Other]

93. Proof that law enforcement uses weapons to punish rather than subdue

They are using unnecessary force and they brag about it. That is jackboot fascism 101. You are so right.

[izzybeans]

100. Anyone who expresses that sentiment isn't deserving of a badge.

[BlooInBloo]

103. Have all the facts come out yet?

I'm still waiting patiently.

[asdjrocky]

104. Gee, ain't cops swell?

Now where's all the folks checking in to defend police? Just another bad apple, right fellas? This is a pattern, this is planned, this is who these pricks are.

Fuck the police.

[armyowalgreens]

105. There are a hell of a lot of politicians and officers accidentally black people monkeys...

[Thickasabrick]

110. Is anyone else as creeped out as me at the way he tries to denigrate

the female reporter. "You are a hot little number with minimal experience in a harsh field. You are a fool, a infidel" "You should serve me coffee and doughnuts on Sunday morning".

The guy is probably a wife beater and shows some real hatred toward the opposite gender.

[old mark]

113. Not a racist, just an asshole....nt