Gates-gate Poetry Slam

Gary Margolis, Executive Director of College Mental Health Services and Associate Professor in the English Department at Middlebury College in Vermont was moved to pen a poem in support of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The poem was titled “Ajar” and was published at the Boston Globe’s website. Here is a portion:

The police want us to think it’s all
water under the bridge. I have to say
I’m sorry. For them. Someone has to

pay his respects. I expect we haven’t
heard the last of this. A poem needs
its refrain. White-haired Frost doesn’t

leave a key under his mat for me
when I come home late, when I’ve
forgotten which window I’ve left unlocked.

In response to this ode-to-Gates, commenter “Marcus” penned the following:

A Liar

Who hasn’t screamed at a cop
followed him onto a front porch
even spit an insult about his mama

just because you knew you could?
Gates did at his Harvard house.
I’m telling you I’m through

with people who have friends in high places.
Look around. No one’s around to call
the press who rarely write about me.

The elites built a wall around
Cambridge. hey live there, too. And now
Henry Louis Gates Jr. is one of them,

all superior to some redneck cop. Mr. Gates
isn’t innocent and profiled. He made
his own mess. Crowley didn’t have

a president to call. Just a stupid cop, acting stupidly.
then Oops; sorry, remark clarified. Never mind.
Water under a bridge.

The elites want us to think it’s all
water under the bridge. They will never say
they’re sorry. Celebrity privilege. And someone has

to be the privileged one. I expect we haven’t
heard the last of this. A talking point needs
its talkers. Mighty, mighty Harvard won’t

leave a jail key for me when I
get busted, when I’ve forgotten
which window I’ve left unlocked.

I think Marcus could have been more succinct, as in “ouch.”

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Related Posts:
Gates 911 Caller Believes Police Acted Appropriately
The “Olive Colored” Skin Defense
Race and Class In Harvard Square

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