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Published: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 / Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 05:49 PM

Keep race out of politics

Today I witnessed a perfect example of what is wrong with politics and the parties that are affiliated with them. I personally do not support Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. I support our Bill of Rights and Constitution which have been stomped on within the last 12 years.

A woman came into the store that I work in to have film developed. Her husband had the honor of laying a wreath on the Unknown Soldiers grave. As she waited, she began to drop comments about the current "second term" President and ask "What I was going to do?" and "What she was supposed to do as a small business owner?"

I gave my best non-committal answer to avoid a political conversation. I was in my place of employment, as the face of my store, and as a member of management.

An employee, a Black American, came to the register to ask a question. The employee then asked if we were speaking about "Her President?" Perfectly innocent question, no harm meant. That single comment sent the customer into a diatribe about what Obama has done for "your people."

She was irate and using the term "your people" over and over, saying things like "Your people want free things and don't want to work, just collect food stamps" and comments like that. I was shocked and tried to quell the bigoted diatribe. My employee made one comment – "I never said I voted for Obama" – and walked away. This woman then began to spout more of her bigotry and claim she was not a racist because she liked Adam West. She claimed anyone who voted Democrat was not of God.

It is people like this that not only denigrate their political party by bringing race into their views, but denigrate our country where we should be working together. She used her political views to disrespect my employee and any other Black American by her use of the term "your people" and owes my employee an apology.

The Unknown Soldier’s grave represents respect and honor regardless of race, creed, color, and beliefs. We don't know what their names were, their race, creed, color or beliefs and we don't care because they were Americans who represented and died for those of us lucky enough to be called Americans. I sincerely hope her spouse doesn't share the same views as she because if he does, he does not deserve to lay a wreath on ANY soldiers grave.

Kevin Tucker

Fort Mill