Intersection of Race, Class, Power and the Criminal Justice System

The city of Cambridge found itself in the international headlines in defense of racial profiling accusations. Many of you may have watched, read or heard that Harvard Prof. Henry Gates, Jr. was arrested at his Cambridge home and charged with disorderly conduct. The charges were quickly dropped after national outrage. Since then, there has been comments from the highest political figures in office. President Obama described the action of the Officer as "stupidly" when a reporter asked him directly for his opinion during a televised health care reform press conference. You can guess what the media pundits chose to highlight and overanalyze.
Many are commenting on others' comments which is making this incident viral. Others are sugarcoating deeper issues such as pervasive racial tensions and the inbalance of power in our culture. Race continues to divide many in this country post electing the first African American President. Some have sided with Gates and others with the arresting Officer in question. It is being presented as a black and white problem.
WGBH's Basic Black, CNN and several other television programs jumped on the bandwagon to create special forum to address the recent event. As I'm listening to all views, I wonder what role, if any, did assumptions and power play in shaping this incident? How is anger perceived in the context of race, masculinity, and class?
As you can see we still have old wounds to heal and new ones to mend. It's a lot to process but this incident certainly qualifies as a teachable moment.

Media Diva