When people use racism as an excuse for bad behavior it hurts everyone. [View all]

[NewEnglandAutumn]

This summer my son works as a park ranger; it is his job to oversee a beach/picnic area and enforce the posted rules. Today a woman brought her dog to the park even though it is clearly posted that dogs are not allowed. He hates having to tell people that they can't bring their dogs beyond the parking area even more than he hates having to clean the bathrooms because he loves dogs more than people. Unfortunately, the lady was of the opinion that the rules do not apply to her. She told him she brings her dog there all the time. He said he was sorry but it was his job to enforce the no dogs rule. She then started to yell at him and say that he was a racist and he would allow her dog if she were white. While he tried to explain that if she did not remove her dog he would have to call his boss.
While this was going on a white woman showed up with her dog. So my son went to her and explained the not dog rule. This lady said that because the black lady had a dog she should also be allowed to have her dog. He told her no one was allowed to have a dog on the beach.
He radioed his boss and asked for assistance. While waiting another group of people tried to bring their dog. Once again he explained the rules and was attacked (verbally). The black woman was calling my son a racist who was harassing her because of her race; the white woman saying he was letting the black woman stay because of her race.
Fortunately his boss arrived with 4 other rangers and evicted all of them because my son is on the autism spectrum and he was starting to have a panic attack. Hours later he is still anxious and is afraid to go back to work because he has been a strong supporter of Black Lives Matter and other civil rights issues.
In his opinion they should allow dogs but ban people. People are more rude. More aggressive. Dogs make less of a mess and no dog has ever accused him of being a horrible person.