my family racist

My dad.

The way I see it is this...I can't change him, but he is still my dad. I just don't discuss things with him that will set off a rant.

And I don't take him anywhere important, like my kid's piano recitals.

If he starts any crap about the n word or Jews...I just walk away.

 

They are here in Australia. One of the many reasons I am so happy to be leaving.

 

You are aware that even though they are racist, they are still human....right?

You see, I was raised racist. That's what my grandfather was, my mom, my grandmother, it goes on. I was racist until I grew tired of living with hate. Funny thing is, my grandfather wasn't a hardcore racist. He'd tell racist jokes and stuff like that, but he wasn't burning crosses or anything. When he got older, like into his 80's, he started realizing that the jokes really aren't funny.

What I have learned is the racism comes from somewhere. It may be stupid in the eyes of others, but remember that we aren't them. They are the way they are for a reason. And I think that if someone were to show care and compassion to a racist and find out why it is they are like they are, you just might find they really aren't "evil".

That's what happened to me. A fella needed a ride, and he was black. So I gave him a ride and we talked. We ended up talking for a few hours (funny how it was really a short trip), and we became friends. He moved from the area a month later, but the conversations we had helped me change the way I was.

Maybe if you befriended a racist, perhaps you would have the same luck. I dunno. Just a thought.

 

Certainly does. Yeah, it's hard but some people are just going to be that way and there's nothing you can do about it. And if he is your grandfather, I highly doubt he is going to change at this point.

 

1 Suck up to him, pretending to espouse his views.

2 Ensure that you are the sole beneficiary of his will.

3 When he passes, donate your entire inheritance to a charity that supports Mexicans.

 

Some Australians are, sure. I'm not, nor are any of my friends.

 

My grandfather used to say racist things about the black nurse who gave him his dialysis treatment. She just shrugged it off. I guess working with old people, she was used to it. Now he's dead.
Remember that our grandparents grew up in a different time where those types of attitudes were accepted and even rewarded. That's not to excuse what they say - but it makes it somewhat understandable.
Anyway, as the old generation dies off, there will be less of these types of attitudes roaming the earth. So we have that to look forward to. I guess? I don't know, this post has taken an unexpected turn and now I'm confused about what I wanted to say. So I'm going to stop now