Stop assuming there is always prejudice

The verbal crucifixion of the police officer who arrested the Harvard professor is a shame. Obama hasn't helped the situation.

If I were trying to open my door late at night I would be glad if an officer approached me. There are so many nuts in the world these days that it isn't safe for anyone, especially an elderly person of any color to be out late at night. To me it is a normal situation for an officer to question someone rattling a front door of a house at that hour of the night.

If it were I, I would welcome his intervention. He was doing his duty, i.e. "To Serve and Protect." Would the professor been happier if a mugger walked up first?

Furthermore, a person crouched over trying to open a door in the dark of night cannot be easily recognized from behind as either white or black from the street or even sidewalk.

The same thing may be said for those who cry racial profiling when their car is followed by the police after dark. A patrol car following a possible violator cannot discern if a person sitting in a darkened, moving car is white, black, green or Hispanic from the back. The police car headlights reflecting back from the potential violator's car make early identification even more difficult.

An added impairment to identification from the rear are the very large head restraints in modern cars. Come to think of it, police usually only pull drivers over if they are violating the law. Perhaps license plates should indicate race and ethnic background to help officers make a decision.

Come on people, let's get the chip off our shoulders and live together. Many of the people who cry prejudice are the biggest perpetrators.

Ken Kitzing

Mount Prospect