# The Signifying Douchebag? \[Henry Gates arrest - racism?\]

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-signifying-douchebag-henry-gates-arrest-racism/503703>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [July 21, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-signifying-douchebag-henry-gates-arrest-racism/503703 "2009-07-21T01:37:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 17

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**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-signifying-douchebag-henry-gates-arrest-racism/503703/321 "2009-07-24T18:46:34Z")

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This is an interesting angle.

[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4S-r9G0m8HEq4JAFUw7\_epFRb9QD99KVBQG1](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4S-r9G0m8HEq4JAFUw7_epFRb9QD99KVBQG1)

Not that it proves anything, but it certainly adds some support to the notion that the confrontation wasn’t about race per se.

Of course it could be that loyalty to one’s fellow cops trumps race.

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**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-signifying-douchebag-henry-gates-arrest-racism/503703/322 "2009-07-24T23:50:38Z")

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> [@Malthus](#):
>
> Of course it could be that loyalty to one’s fellow cops trumps race.

There were black cops who stood behind the criminals who beat Rodney King, shot Amadou Diallo and assaulted Abner Louima, too. The blue wall trumps a lot of things, including, often, common sense.

Given that the sergeant was not inside the house and didn’t witness anything that precipitated the arrest on the porch, his perspective is less than meaningful, IMO.

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**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-signifying-douchebag-henry-gates-arrest-racism/503703/323 "2009-07-25T00:04:07Z")

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> [@mlees](#):
>
> I see. Well, I quote someone when I wish to direct my comments at them only.
> 
> If I wish to address the group in general, I usually don’t quote.
> 
> Thus, my inadvertant conclusion was that you were talking to me only.

I addressed the quote from you in the paragraph directly underneath the quote. Then, I skipped a line and wrote another paragraph. I’m sorry it wasn’t clearer to you that the entire thing wasn’t directed at you. I feel another sigh coming on.

> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#):
>
> Actually… I would be satisfied is Dr. Gates would participate in sensitivity training and diversity awareness programs. I think he would benefit from them.

Gates and the cop could go together, I think.

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