Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Michael Kim

A little over a week ago, President had his first racial controversy since he stepped into office through his commenting on the Henry Louis Gates' arrest. The whole situation grew to this big mess within hours after he commented that the police 'acted stupidly' in that situation. That the issue of race having to do with a lot of the arrests was still disproportionately prominent. The President's comment offended many police officers around the country that Mr. Obama's comments make their job harder than it is. That the officers would have to be mindful with every action they make, especially to minorities.
After much unwanted publicity, President Obama addressed the press briefly expanding what he meant and individually called both Professor Gates and Sgt. Crowley to talk it through over a cold beer.

So, The New York Times really went in-depth to the whole to story from beginning to the most recent information. The article described (in greater detail than other news) the arresting of Professor Gates to the President's comment and why he would have said those things to how the President called both people that were involved to talk it over. I felt the article was unbiased to a certain side, but simply explained the whole situation based on facts.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/us/politics/25gates.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

USA Today's article was really focused on the police force as a whole (Cambridge & the nation). It explained the side of the officers on how they felt that President Obama was "way off base" commenting without knowing the full details. The article was relatively short, but it was all about how the police department felt a little hurt by Mr. Obama's comment, but they have to do what they have to do and not be discouraged of what they need to do.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-07-23-cops-reaction_N.htm

The BBC focused on Professor Gates and the topic of Racial Profiling. That this has been and is a problem even now and it focused on how the President was always focused on eliminating "Racial Profiling." The article was written for the point of view of the receiving end of Racial Profiling. It really helped me feel what most minorities feel when they are disproportionately "accused" for a crime and angered how it hasn't been completely eliminated even at this day of age.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8166278.stm

The Daily News was a very 'light' article to read in the sense that it did not focus on the heavy controversial situation, but on the brighter topic of how they (President Obama, Prof Gates, & Sgt Crowley) are trying to personally meet each other to talk it over and move on. It gave me a sense of relief that they are on the right track to help bind the wounds of racial profiling that is such a deep past-time scar, which we should take note of and strive to do.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/07/25/2009-07-25_harvard_professor_.html