BWP,

Of course Gate's house is his castle, but the accounts strongly suggest he hassled the cop after reluctantly showing his ID. Seems to me if race weren't an issue for either of them it would have gone thusly:

Cop: Hey, we got a call that someone might be breaking into this house. Who are you and what are you doing here?

Gates: I'm Henry Gates and I live here. Just got in from a trip - point to suitcase - and the door was stuck shut even after I unlocked it.

Cop: OK, but how's about showing me some ID so my report shows that the occupant of the house verified he lives here?

Gates: Yeah, no prob. Thanks for following up and looking after the place. Come in, sit down, let's have a beer; it's hot.

Cop: love to, but can't during duty hours.