Just Another Racist Day in America

Photo via Hallmark.com

Just Another Racist Day in America.

The time? 20 years ago. The day? The day before Father’s Day.

I’d been looking for a card. The gift was already purchased.

Target? Nope. Kroger? Nope. I would have to visit the Hallmark store; where the olfactory assault from candles and potpourri is so severe they should have asthma inhalers on end caps for customer use.

Every single card was the same – All Dads are dolts, doofuses, or drunks. As I headed towards the exit, one card caught my eye; it had a young boy, a middling aged guy, and a stooped older man walking along as they held hands.

I don’t recall the exact wording; something about what we need as dads and sons as we grow, but I liked it.

At the counter, I handed the kindly looking older woman the card. She looked at the card, and then up at me.

          “You know this card is from the Mahogany Collection?” she said softly.

          “The what?” I asked.

          “The Mahogany Collection.

“You know,” she whispered, “they’re for… Black people.”

“Yeah, I saw that. But it’s the only card in the store that actually says something, um, meaningful about Dads. So, yeah, I’m good with that. Great, in fact.”

“Oh, okay. Well, you’re not colored, so I just thought you might want to know.”

“It’s okay. I’m not a bigot, and neither is my Dad, so we’re good here.”

I really liked the card. I bought it. Dad got a little teary.

I now wish I had called for the manager, or written a note to Hallmark, or spoken to her with a little more fervor. Or something. Maybe, as I look back,  in a quiet, late 20^th century manner, my very quiet mention of her bigotry was enough.

I did the best I could, with what I had, at the time. Next time, I'll do better.