A few weeks ago, James Blake, a retired tennis star was tackled and hand cuffed by NYPD officers in the course of investigating credit card fraud at a local hotel. The officers claimed he looked like one of the fraudsters they were after. Mr. Blake vigorously objected—rightly so—and the officer who arrested him has been suspended. The police officer is white, Blake biracial. This has been treated by the media—and almost everyone else—as a racist incident.

But was it? "Scientists, pointing to decades of research, believe something else was at work. They call it the “other-race effect,” a cognitive phenomenon that makes it harder for people of one race to readily recognize or identify individuals of another." A phenomenon called by researchers, "They all look alike to me."

Here is a fascinating article by Rachel Swarms NYTimes reporter interviewing "they all look alike" mistakes and researchers who have studied it. The explanation can seem obvious and the remedies as well. What is your experience? Either as mistaker or mistakee.

P.S. This post is for those who want a moment's respite from the Francis Fracas.

UPDATE: James Blake had a meeting with Mayor de Blasio and Chief Bratton on Monday urging them to institute greater accountability in the police department. In a press conference after, Blake praised the mayor's efforts and denied that his case was one of racial profiling. The story also reported that the officer had been previously accused of assault.