Reply #86: Oh, it was 'yelling'

[Mimosa]

Lexanman, on http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates2.html>page 2 of the arrest report posted on The Smoking Gun Crowley consistently describes Gates as 'yelling' at him. There is some indication that Crowley was leaving and Gates persisted in continuing the confrontation with accusations of racism. Officer Crowley may have had a psychological need to prove he was the dominant authority figure which relates to Gates having pulled 'status' over him.

I am not defending Crowley's actions or the arrest. I understand how this could have happened in a way which doesn't entail the cop being a 'racist' although race is clearly an element since (not because) Gates had introduced it into the interaction.

Gates and Crowley were both having a very bad day. Crowley should have apologised in a way which wouldn't make him vulnerable legally.