Abstract:

This essay looks at the unusual case of conflict in the arrest of Dr. Henry Louis Gates and his arresting officer, Sgt. James Crowley of the Cambridge Police Department.  The case of Dr. Gates, a Harvard Professor, reached a national arena and the President of the United States has opportunity to help solve the conflict.  A detail of the facts of this case is provided as well as a discussion of communication conflict theory.  Opinions from experts have also been explored.  Furthermore a discussion of racial profiling as the cause of this case is reviewed.

Publication:

Lamikanra, Anna, Ashraf Esmail, and Scott Polunsky. (2011) Conflict in Cambridge: The Arrest of Dr. Henry Louis Gates.  African Studies Review, 2,2, 57-71

Faculty Spotlight:

Ashraf Esmail's current research interests include urban/muliticultural/peace education, family, cultural diversity, political sociology, criminology, social problems, and deviance.  He is currently the senior editor of the The Journal of Education and Social Justice and Journal of Urban Education.  He served as the conference chair for the National Association of Multicultural Education 18th Annual International Conference in New Orleans from November 12th to 16th in 2008.  He served as the Program Chair for the 20th Annual Conference in Las Vegas this year and will serve in the same role for the conference in Chicago in 2011.   He served as  President of the National Association for Peace Education in 2010-2011.