Piedmont, WV Native, Henry Louis "Skip" Gates, Jr, Arrested

Henry Louis "Skip" Gates, Jr., director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Studies and Mineral County native, was arrested Thursday at his home in Cambridge, MA for disorderly conduct. Police were responding to a call from a neighbor of a person trying to force their way into Gates home.

According to reports Gates' front door was stuck. He had entered his home from the rear and disabled the alarm. He then proceeded to the front door of his home to force it open. When Police arrived they found Gates and he refused to identify himself as the home owner. The New York Post Reports, "When Gates was asked to step out on the front porch and talk, he allegedly responded, "No, I will not!" and, "I'll speak with your mama outside!" When the cop explained he was investigating a break-in, Gates snarled, "Why, because I'm a black man?" the report claims."

As Gates continued to rant outside of his home police arrested him for disorderly conduct.