President Obama got it pretty much right the first time, before there had been a huge outcry about our President criticizing a police office.  Officer Crowley acted stupidly-and, might I add, wrongly-when arresting Professor Gates.
The important facts are these- Officer Crowley (white) responded to a potential breaking and entering complaint, found Professor Gates (black) in his own home, where had had id proving who he was and that this was his address, and, after not assaulting or in any other way posing a direct danger to Officer Crowley, was arrested …

Gwen at Sociological Images (courtesy of contexts) has brought this graph to my attention.

I’m thinking maybe gay marriage is dangerous for society.

California’s state Supreme Court will decide today whether Proposition 8 was constitutional. There are no clear indications which way the decision will go but the recent gains (and the New Hampshire setback) have increased the importance of California’s decision for both sides of the issue. California is a very large, influential state and overturning Proposition 8 could speed up the process across the country.
If Prop 8 is overturned, expect a hissy fit on the right. This may be my naivete talking, but I’m less concerned than Sara Robinson that such …

Vermont has passed a law to allow same-sex marriages! The state legislature has voted 100-49 to overturn Gov. Jim Douglas’ veto. Vermont is following very closely in the footsteps of Iowa, who passed a similar law last week. Connecticut and Massachusetts were the first two states to do so. It is important to note, however, that the other states passed their laws because of judicial rulings while Vermont is the first state to proactively pass a marriage equality law.

Earlier today the Iowa Supreme Court ruled, unanimously, that the state’s gay marriage ban is unconstitutional.  Methinks the gay marriage opponents are marching against the forces of history.
I’m a little torn on this.  On the one hand, this is excellent news, and I’m always thrilled when people’s civil rights are recognized.  On the other hand, I’m now living in a world where same-sex marriage is legal in Iowa but not in California, and it’s freaking me the hell out.

Apparently there is no difference between post-racial America and racial America.

Don Haskins, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Texas at El Paso (formerly Texas Western College), has passed away at the age of 78 due to heart failure. 
Haskins served as the university’s head coach from 1961 to 1999. In 1966, his underdog team beat the University of Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship. That win was especially notable because Hawkins only played his team’s seven black players. Hawkins’ said that he didn’t consider the color of his players’ skin when making the selection, only their …