Most Current Blog Entry:
Henry Luis Gates vs. the Cambridge Police
July 25, 2009
I didn't intend this to be my first blog post here, but since this is what people are talking about it's as good as place as any to start.
I'm a white male so I don't want to go too far with the empathy card. While I know I've experienced some things that relate, I don't know what it's like to be a black male in this country. That's just a statement of fact.
Nonetheless, I have had encounters with police that cause me to take Gates side - somewhat. I'd say 55/45 in Gates favor.
For the past 15 years, at various times, I have attend political protests as a photographer. I have never been a recognized member of the press, although sometimes the photos have been published in newspapers. Most of the time the photos are for my own use online as part of photo essays, blogs, etc. For this site for example. When I take photos I do NOT threaten anyone and I think most of the time I follow all obvious laws. I carry professional grade equipment. Either Nikon 35mm SLRS or DLSRS - usually two, one with a short lens and one with a long lens.
I might not be press, but I frequently look like the press and I tend to act like them. I've been asked who I work for numerous times.
As a photographer I have taken so much crap from cops. I've been threatened with arrest more times than I can count. And it's all a game. They have no reason to arrest me, they just don't want me there taking photos. I have been asked at times by protesters to document what's going on to make sure I either document abuse or prevent it from happening by just being there with a camera. If I were to be arrested the charges would be dropped and I'd be out of jail the next day. The object of the police is not to start a legally actionable case, it's to get rid of me.
In other words, the First Amendment is frequently a freaking joke in this country.
A few weeks ago I had an encounter with three cops at the NH state house when the governor signed the gay marriage bill into law. I was there to take photos. Instead, I had to deal with a bunch of macho control freak BS from bored cops. I was never able to get the shots I wanted because I was not allowed access to the _public_ building where everything was happening. The situation got a tiny bit heated because I decided to tell the cops what I thought - they were being rude. I pushed it to the point where it was obvious that if I didn't move I was going to be arrested so I walked away.
I might not be black, but I understand Gates' rage and reaction. I get so damned tired of this BS from cops as a photographer. I can't imagine what it would be like to be "guilty" of driving/shopping/entering one's home while black. I think I'd probably blow my top eventually.
So while I understand these cops had to see what was happening, I tip in Gates favor. He had a right to be pissed. And quite frankly, those who disagree don't know what it's like to be constantly bothered by cops "just doing their job" while it infringes on your right to just go about your legal business.
-Patrick Carkin
ProActivist.com