@#123, Claire:

I’m a young attractive blonde white girl.

Well, ok, sugarshorts; I’ll take your word for it. But how likely do you think it is that you were able to get along so well with the local constabulary because you 1)went to the police with your problem first, instead of breaking in on your own (in a neighborhood with a recent rash of break-ins) and being reported by a neighbor; 2)didn’t scream at and abuse the officers and accuse them of racism after they responded to the burglary call?

Just from your description of your behavior, you sound like you were very well brought up, unlike Prof. Gates. I think it’s at least very likely that your polite, reasonable behavior, and not your looks, was the key to you having a good experience.