Why Must the President be a Nigger in my BoomerWorld

Someone called President Obama a nigger at The Duke Center for Living Fitness Center this morning. I didn't actually hear him say it. By the time I was summoned to the area, I heard him say "Obama has done more to divide this nation than any other President." Once a small group of us gathered in the area of the gym where they were, the two men left and headed to the men's locker room.

Okay, so here's how it went down. Miss Merlita, who looks 60 but is probably closer to 90, was sitting in a chair in the weight training area, along with three other older white men. I was approximately 20 feet away in another section of the weight training area along with one some other people. I kept looking at her because I was curious as to what she was doing since she wasn't using the exercise equipment attached to the chair.

Suddenly, she motioned for me and another man to come to her.  I remember thinking, "She's getting ready to talk my ear off!"  When we got there she pointed to one of the men and said he just called the President a nigger.  We started joking with her about her bad hearing until another man nearby confirmed that he also heard it.  As our conversation escalated, the two men got up and headed towards the locker room.

When I posted what happened on Facebook, someone asked if anyone said anything to the two men. No one did. I think this goes back to the mentality of older blacks in the South. They say "Shame on whitey and let's put it in God's hands," but they don't want to be confrontational. They still believe in trying to keep the peace even though the world around them is reminiscent of a period they want to forget. Had I actually heard the comment, I am sure I would've gotten in their faces but I, too, chose to follow the crowd. Perhaps that means I'm mellowing out as I grow older. But it doesn't mean I don't see the racism that exists among boomers and senior citizens as it relates to President Obama.

The Boomer generation has been labeled the greatest generation but when I see and hear how MY GENERATION is reacting to this upcoming election, I have to say we are anything but great. Disgraceful is more like it.