The recent arrest of black Harvard Professor Dr Henry Louis Gates by James Crowley, a white Cambridge, Massachusetts police sergeant, has been in the news all across the world. The case was of particular interest to African-Americans because many believed Dr Gate's arrest was racially motivated and also because he is a high-profile professor at the most famous university in the United States.

Such was the interest in the case, which has dominated the headlines in the US and here in Canada, that even President Obama has been drawn into the controversy. The president in talking about the matter called the actions of the Cambridge Police Department stupid, which have since caused him a firestorm of criticism. In an effort to smooth over things, the president invited both Gates and Crowley to the White House to have a man-to-man discussion over beers, now fondly known as the 'Beer Summit'.

As with anything else involving the president, the media wanted to know the types of beer the men would be drinking. President Obama opted for Bud Light, Sgt Crowley chose Blue Moon and most significantly, Professor Gates expressed a liking for our famous Red Stripe beer.

marketing the beverage

I am not sure what this publicity will do to the sales of Red Stripe, but this will certainly help with the marketing of the beverage in United States and the world for that matter. It shows again that Jamaica has given the world so many good things, such as reggae, jerk, some of the best rums in the world and, of course, Red Stripe beer, to name a few. Professors Gates' preference for Red Stripe will most certainly publicise not only the beer itself, but Jamaica to the world. Jamaica, for some Americans is a favourite vacation destination and many drink the local suds when on the island, but you can bet that many more will be drinking it when they visit. And for those who have never been to Jamaica, they too will want to taste our famous beer.

I am, etc.,

CONROD TUCKER

conrod.tucker@rogers.com

Brampton

Ontario