A Bit Of A Gripe

[poliphilo]

I understand that racists are not necessarily bad people- just frightened ones- afraid of difference, afraid of the unfamiliar. 

This doesn't mitigate the fact that racism is profoundly stupid- and destructive of civil society.

You have racist views.  Fine.  Please keep them to yourself.

But if you talk to me in ways that assume that I share your views don't be surprised if I take it as a personal  insult.

Comments

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

You tell them Tony! There are some things one can't just "let go".

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, but I don't feel particularly brave telling an 80 year old woman that her ideas stink....

[treehavn.livejournal.com]

...or me, telling my 70-something mother in law that 'the government' haven't 'made' people like you racist, you had it in you all along. And no, that woman in the post office isn't wearing a sari 'just to spite you'...

I just ignore it now, and try to move her base whinging onto generalised topics. And I feel a bit of a coward.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I keep away from my in-laws as much as I can- which saves explosions- but this past week- with my father-in-law being in hospital- I've seen a lot of them.

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

Several of my own elderly relatives have a lot of that old attitude, disguised as tolerance. A quote from my own mother back when she was still working: "I work with several 'colored' women -- nice ones, though...."

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, my in-laws think in those terms. My pa-in-law said the other day that- since they're here- he believes in being nice to the Asians- but he wishes they'd all go home.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

I think that's it exactly: the idea of a shouting match with an eighty-year-old retiree is unseemly, to say the least.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Also, they don't really understand what all the fuss is about.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

Indeed.