I think you're right that there is clear racial insensitivity in anyone who is rushing to the defense of the folks who called the police, etc. On the other hand, to call anybody racist in this country is automatically going to put them on the defensive. Maybe this will bring light to them. Maybe it won't. It will almost certainly turn up the heat.

I'm in no position to say that it's *wrong* to call people on this type of crap. It almost certainly accomplishes some good.

But I would like to put an academic question out there: On such an inherently hot issue, *is* there a way of bringing the desperately needed light without turning up the heat?

Caveat: I don't actually know anything about the specific structure of the online discussions you've engaged in regarding the Gates SNAFU.