Written By: Rodrigo C. Tordecilla

In a recent speech before the NAACP Convention, President Obama told attendees that “an African-American child is roughly five times as likely as a white child to see the inside of a prison.” Unfortunately for a Harvard Scholar, this statistic became a reality. A few hours before President Obama made this statement, Henry Louis “Skip” Gates Jr., a distinguished professor at Harvard University and considered one of the most powerful and influential black scholars in U.S. history, was arrested.

Gates had returned from a research trip to China only to find the front door to his Harvard-owned house jammed shut. His driver helped him in trying to open the door, but by the time Gates was on the phone with his leasing company, a policeman had arrived after a neighbor spotted two men looking as if they were breaking into the house. Supposedly upon arrival, the policeman asked Gates to step outside, but Gates refused. The officer entered the home and asked for Gates’ ID, which he initially refused to show, and finally had him arrested for allegedly “exhibiting loud and tumultuous behavior.”  Gates said that he in fact did show the officer his ID and asked the officer to identify himself. He refused and proceeded to arrest Gates. The charge against Gates was eventually dropped and the city of Cambridge issued a statement calling the incident “regrettable and unfortunate.”

It is argued that had Gates been a white professor, he would not have been arrested nor would his neighbors have alerted the police. His arrest has called the attention of individuals who are against the notion that America can now be considered a “post-racial paradise,” especially because the nation’s president is black. Until such incidents cease to occur, race will still remain an issue and paradise will continue to be out of reach.

It truly is sad and unfortunate when individuals are subjected to racism or discrimination, especially in a nation that was created on premises such as equal rights for all. The lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, located in Nassau County, New York, have fought against discrimination for over two decades with much success. If you have been a victim of discrimination because of your age, gender, race, or sexual orientation, call 1-800-585-4658 to schedule an appointment for free consultation.