The banality of evil is never more present than in the names given to the random white people who decide it is time to call in the authorities when a person of color makes them feel uncomfortable—by being a person of color in public. Names like “Cornerstore Caroline” and “Child Care Charlotte” belie the true insidiousness of these individuals’ actions against their fellow neighbors. The newest story to hit the wire comes from a woman in Florida, Ginger Williams, who posted images with an accompanying story to her Facebook page.
SOCCER WHILE BLACK. A parent at my son’s soccer game had the police called on him for cheering for his son during the game. This man was simply trying to watch his son's soccer game and cheer for him from the sides. He yelled “The ref is right!” when he saw his kid out there getting frustrated after a call. This woman, lets call her Golfcart Gail, decided to spring into action and rapidly approach this parent and remind him that harassment would not be tolerated. He informed her that he was only speaking to his son.
It turns out that Golfcart Gail was the field marshal in these here parts, and she wasn’t satisfied with his blackness explanation. The man, according to Ginger Williams, was clearly trying to stay away from Golfcart Gail, and told her he would just leave, obviously understanding how people like Gail operate around men that aren’t white like Gail. Williams told ABC News that she and other parents got involved, after hearing “Gail” tell the father, "I no longer feel safe due to your threatening behavior." And while Mrs. Williams says she had never met the man being harassed by Golfcart Gail before, she and other parents wanted the deputies responding to know what really happened.
It’s a good thing too, as Williams recorded video that ABC News published (and you can see below the fold), showing how full of bigoted manure this cherub of justice really is. In the video you can see her giving an explanation of events that would hold less water than a colander made out of recycled tissue paper.
Gail: Calls are going on and all of a sudden, I see the gentleman jump up and run over towards midfield in a loud voice...He says, “I said nothing to the referee, I was talking to my son.”
And I said, “OK.” And I went on to just try and explain, “Hey, you know, we’re trying to make sure everything...[he’s like] thank you, you know...I’m glad...” And then, just got like nasty with me.” You know, “I’m not talking to you anymore.” You know, “We’re done with this.”
That’s an interesting turn of events. So, this dad, completely unprompted according to “Gail,” got “nasty” with her right after thanking her for her service as field marshal? He sounds pretty nuts. In fact, he doesn’t sound like a real person. Probably because that isn’t what happened. The parents and Williams all gave testimony to the police that supported the father’s version of events. This also included the information that a white parent had actually yelled at a referee earlier in the day and was sent home—no police called by “Gail.” I guess he wasn’t “nasty” with her?
Let’s review this so we are all clear: Not only was this man harassed for doing what most of us would consider smart parenting—telling your child that they need to control their frustration and respect the adults enforcing the rules of a sporting event—but he had the police called on him. Even if he was being one of those dads that was yelling at the referee, the police shouldn’t have been called. There are two superficial wrongs here. One, this man should still be watching his son’s soccer match, and two, he and his family shouldn’t have the stress of dealing with the local authorities because some racist on a golf cart is feeling insecure.
If you think this is going to have a happy ending, it isn’t. According to the local Florida ABC News affiliate, Golfcart Gail’s probable boss seems to be taking her side of the story.
Gary Easom, president of the Ponte Vedra Athletic Association, said the incident is being mischaracterized on social media and is more about parents behaving badly while watching their child play soccer.
[...]
Easom said parents are not supposed to approach their children during the game.
But only the black ones get a dime dropped on them, I guess? The deputies let the man go, as his version of events was the only one verified by everyone.
As Williams escorted the father to his car with her cellphone still recording, he told her, "It's just too much. It's just too much."
You can watch Golf Cart Gail in action below.