America Needs a Beer Summit (or many of them)

Photo from Boston.com

On July 16, 2009, police officer Sgt. James Crowley responds to a 911 call about a possible break in at a home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Arriving at the scene, he apprehended and arrests a suspicious person. Turns out that suspicious person was the owner of the house, renowned Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates, a black man. Professor Gates was actually trying to force open the door of his home with the help of his driver, as it was jammed. There was a confrontation between Sgt Crowley and Professor Gates that contributed to the arrest, and even though charges were dropped, a public outcry ensued as to why Professor Gates was arrested in the first place. Was it racial profiling? The outcry and debate was so great that it reached the White House and even President Obama weighed in. Unfortunately his contribution seemed to only fan the flames of controversy. Obama's next move however, seemed to run counter to the prevailing political climate-he invited the guys over for some beer.

Called the "Beer Summit," Sgt Crowley and Professor Gates were summoned to a meeting at the White House and in a private garden, President Obama, Vice President Biden and the two men sat down, had a beer, and talked over their issues. The results? The controversy immediately died down, and the two opposing sides seemed to find some common ground. Later Crowley would even give Gates the handcuffs used in the arrest.

In light of all the controverseries that have occurred in during President Obama's tenure, it's unfortunate that this was the only "beer summit" that ever took place. Especially now with the escalating tensions between black communities and police, I think we just need to sit down and talk as people, not as protesters or officials or politicians. And while beer isn't necessary for these things to occur, it might be a start to agree on at least one thing- that once in a while, we could all use a good cold drink.