(1) Cards can be handed around easily. Being in possession of the card does not prove ownership or permission to use. Ask anyone who has had a credit card stolen or cloned.
(2) I think Mr.Bloom should have explained it differently. Something along the lines of: "Ma'am, it's my job as the pool chairman to make sure only folks in our HOA who pay for the pool are using it. Another person at the pool indicated that they didn't know you, so this is not me singling you out. I ask people for ID several times a week, especially if they are people I don't know or recognize, or I haven't seen them at other HOA community functions. I'm asking for ID sometimes people have visitors in the summer, so they'd know the address, but that doesn't mean they are authorized to use the pool unless the homeowner is with them."
(3) When asked if he was going to apologize to her, he might have said, "I will apologize for questioning you as long as you apologize for calling me racist. Your "feeling" that I questioned you because I am racist is wrong."
(4) I agree that he has a case against his employer. Unless he is in a position of public trust where he is accountable to his employer 24/7, that's wrong. I wonder what Ms. Edwards employer has to say? If I were her employer, I would want assurance that her interactions with customers & co-workers of different races don't start with a chip on her shoulder, as it appears this one might have.
Discrimination happens to people of all races and genders. Racism is not just repulsive behavior on the part of white people against black people. And it is very wrong no matter who initiates it or is the victim.
“”Ma’am, it’s my job as the pool chairman...”
You would think that people would have more consideration for their elected officials, especially those who seek higher office, and few elected positions are held in more high esteem than and HOA Pool Chairman.
And by the way, in NC, an employer can fire an employee for what ever reason they please.
I think what you said sounds very reasonable, but explaining things rationally to people that thrive on this kind of thing is not going to work.
Late one night, after a long day of driving, I was turned away for a motel room (my three kids were with me) in the middle of nowhere New Mexico. I was told they were full when the parking lot was empty. I believe it could have possibly been because I am Anglo. I have no way to know or prove it, but the thought crossed my mind. I traveled another 100 miles for a room. My inconvenience was a lot more than what this woman at the pool experienced, but I moved on with my life and dealt with it and found a very nice southwestern-style room at a very good price in Las Vegas, NM. Had I been in an approved victim class, I could have made a video and caused a stink.