Black ministers are coming together nationally on August 9, 2009 for a day of prayer and action on the issue of racial profiling. The event is an outgrowth of the Henry Gates arrest. The ministers feel the issue of persistent racial profiling is being lost in this debate after President Obama said the “Cambridge police acted stupidly,” and then dialed back the statement. The ministers are spotlighting relations between the police community and minority america. Ministers from California, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio have signed on for the day of prayer and action. More ministers from other states are expected to support the effort.
At the White House Friday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked if the President should take a page from the Bill Clinton presidential play book and hold a national conversation on race? Gibbs contends,”I think we are having that conversation.”
Great question, April.