General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI have a brother who was pretty racist
His first words to my future husband when I introduced him were : "Who's your dark Gucci friend?" I called him on it, finished the business K had and we left.
He was in and out of our lives around my mother's illness and passing. Some years later I connected with his adult children, only to be lectured and told to stay out of their lives.
A couple of years later my niece began dating and subsequently married a young black man. My brother screamed at me on the phone that he had told me to stay away from her. At the time she and had only had minimal exchanges on FB. He blamed me for their relationship.
Then he became a grandfather to a gorgeous little girl but was shunning his daughter by then. Two years later they all reconciled.He learned a bit about tolerance and living together. My niece is also raising handsome young stepsons for whom he stepped up as a grandfather.
This learning must occur on a national basis. Understanding that all are worthy and equal comes from interacting and acceptance.
My OT session will begin in a few. This was on my mind.
hatrack
(59,593 posts).
Bettie
(16,129 posts)one of my boys married a right winger.
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)Many families have people in them like my brother. No excuses or apologies for him, but I am glad he changed
lunasun
(21,646 posts)I ask because I have seen this with super racist who then get color in thier family .
I know someone who married into a family with a racist mother . His mother inlay finally accepted him and told him she could see he was different They are ok they are different because they know them now. No attempt to know others and
all other POC ? Still hated
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)with her husband's family and their circle of friends. He has actually started going to the same church and become involved in community work. He has definitely changed.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)neeksgeek
(1,214 posts)Took my own father several years to stop making taco jokes. This started after I began dating the woman I'm now married to (she's from a Mexican-American family). He'd say snide things, like I'd announce I was going to thanksgiving dinner at her parents' and he'd whip out "what are they having, tacos?" Like it was witty or something. At first I'd eye roll and try to spar with him by saying, "no we're (by saying WE I include myself in their family) having a turkey, and tamales, and lots of other food. I finally had to just say "Stop it. You're insulting my wife, and angering me." He stopped.
brush
(53,876 posts)JohnnyLib2
(11,212 posts)Sadly, not all make the change. The same process can occur when people work together (e.g. Armed Forces).
madokie
(51,076 posts)round me that we are all humans.
No one better no one worse we're humans
I seem to think it helps some see the light, well while around me anyway. Not sure if it changes any minds though. We can hope it does and Hope is a strong emotion,
Peace
Have a great week
Atticus
(15,124 posts)Everything else is just culture."
Barack_America
(28,876 posts)I don't know if racism truly ever leaves ones heart.
Certainly never did for my family. My deceased father respected the hell out of Obama, would defend him against his deplorable relatives, but insisted he would 'disown' me if I ever dated an African American.
Archae
(46,354 posts)For instance, he hated Harry Truman since he was drafted and spent two years in Korea during that war.
It was a country "not worth it," in his opinion.
BUT...
He had nothing but contempt for those protesting the invasion of Iraq.
He hated blacks, (would only call them n******,) Hispanics, Asians, anyone not white.
And he himself was the target of discrimination too, because of his "Volga German" heritage.
LWolf
(46,179 posts)through the use of hate, bullying, derision, or aggression. All those things do is amp up the resistance to that change.