Gil Smart in his weekly video rant asks whether it is okay if a cop asks a white guy to show him an ID if neighbors saw him and another forcing open a front door.
WATCHDOG: The answer is “yes.” Most whites would think nothing of it, let alone throw a fit. Of course some who don’t like cops might take umbrage.
We can appreciate residual resentment of African Americans for the police treating them in a degrading manner. But police also have the right to protect themselves from undue verbal abuse.
We show respect to the uniform, even if we don’t like the individual. Complaints can be made in a deferential manner or addressed at a later date with the police person’s superiors.
President Barrack Obama suggested that this was as much an issue of class as race. Some would say Gates can be a pedantic, snobbish, bullying, egregious ass. Just ask Larry Summers.
Incidentally to Gil, when used as the subject rather than an object, it’s “he” and not “him.”
