An Abomination?

I had an interesting experience today. It’s hours later, and I’m still wondering about the ramifications, the possible misguided belief by some that inappropriate behavior will soon be an acceptable norm.

As the temperature continued to hang in the teens I left the gym and started my engine. I generally park in the outer reaches of the lot as many vie for the closer spots, I avoid other vehicles; it keeps my 10-year old truck looking new.

As the engine warmed, I munched on a tuna sandwich I had stored in a small Tupperware container. After a workout I needed protein. While listening to a classical score on NPR the cab warmed and all was well.

Suddenly I noticed a white SUV stopped parallel to me. (I was parked on the end of an aisle.)  women was waving to get my attention. She had a hat pulled down so far it was tough to see her face at first. so I rolled my window down to answer her.  She pulled her hat back and I saw she was a black woman in her mid to late 50′s.

“Will you move your vehicle?” She said. “I want to park there.” Her request seemed a bit incredulous. There were at least a dozen spots open nearby and some were closer to the door. On such a cold day, why would someone have to take MY spot?

If the lot was full I would gladly have moved and went on my way. This wasn’t the case. “No” I said. “I’m eating my lunch.” Rather than accept my rebuff and take one of the available spots she said, “I want that parking place!”

I admit I was enjoying the solitude of the moment after the gym, the music, my sandwich and the warming vehicle (that was now getting cold from the open window.) I was at a loss to see the significance of a particular parking spot and I was quickly getting frustrated by the rudeness of this woman.

“No. Go away!” I said. After a variety of facial contortions directed at me, she pointed her finger and said, “In a few days it will be an abomination.” Then she drove off.

What in the world was that about? I wondered. What is she talking about regarding an abomination? Then it dawned on me what she said. She was telling me that after the inauguration, it will be an “Obama Nation.”

I find this troubling. Was she telling me how she perceived America to be after Obama is sworn in? Are citizens suddenly going to be subservient to African-Americans because of the race of the President? This is ridiculous. I don’t believe that any normal thinking person, regardless of race believes such bunk. Everyone us are to be equal in this country. Granted there are issues. Yet the problems are caused by self-absorbed fools.

The problem I have with today’s incident is that apparently, some people think this way. This mindset doesn’t build upon our nation – it weakens the nation’s moral fiber at a time when we have enough challenges to deal with.