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One of the consistent problems with improving race relations in our country is the simple fact that minorities are often treated differently by police. We (middle-class, uppper-middle-class, wealthy) white folk like to ignore it. If we're safe in our houses and our neighborhoods, and if it doesn't happen to our kids, it's easy to dismiss. But it's salt in a wound for people on the other end of it.

This isn't meant as a knock on cops. In my work, I've come to know a lot of police officers. I like most of them. They have a tough job, and I respect the hell out of it. But I think all them would admit they will treat the 19 year old black kid in the neon differently than they'll treat me on the road. You're right, conor. I've never been pulled over for a minor traffic infraction and subjected to a search. But I have personal knowledge of that very thing in hundreds of instances. I can't think of one that involved someone "like me."

I won't weigh in on the Gates thing specifically, because I don't know what happened. I don't know if race was a factor in that case or not. Maybe it was just a bunch of circumstances. Someone made the call. The police responded. They investigated. The homeowner felt he was being mistreated due to race. It blew up from there. I don't know.