Pride a factor in race relations

Concerning your editorial, "When pride becomes prejudice": It's really simpler than all that.

When Professor Gates committed the sin of pride, he colored his sensibilities and saw prejudice where it didn't exist. Obama, in sympathy with his friend, did likewise. Thus, the incident became yet another example of a routine police procedure erroneously labeled a racist act; but this time with the imprimatur of the White House.

The sin of pride also prevented either Gates or Obama from acknowledging their error and apologizing. Thus it was necessary for the three principles to have a beer together and "celebrate" a teaching moment; thereby demonstrating that the President of the United States and a Harvard professor are "big enough" and have enough "common man" in them to commune with the average Joe police officer despite his "shortcomings."

Too bad the two black principles in this national saga didn't learn from this teaching moment that the truth of strained race relations in this country is ongoing in large part due to the expectations and reactions of those who most claim to abhor it and be persecuted by it.

Paul Boardman

Lake Villa