I just discovered my Mom is a racist?

Question

so now I have an attitude towards her and I think she senses it, we were talking about the presidential election, we have both agreed for many years about the war and the current administration now all of a sudden she is going against everything she has said for so long just because the democrat nominee is Obama, and he is a different color, I cannot believe I never saw this before ( she is in her 60's ) ok...so I realize its best to just not talk politics but now I feel like I have seen a side of her that I really don't like and how do I get past it?

Answer 1

There were born in a diferent generation then us

Answer 2

ignore it.

my mom is a bit racist too.

i think it's because most black people come across as "ghetto" but that's not always the truth

people who know a little something about weed

answer?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 3

You shouldn't let it get to you too much. Some people are just a tad closed minded. You can help her out by showing her that people of all colors are great. I know I've kind of experienced something like this with my mother. Both my mother and I are vegetarians... But my mother would sometimes buy shoes with leather,UGH! Fortunately, I've done a good job in persuading her to stop...kinda...  

Answer 4

Thats said, my grandmother is in her 60's and feels hateful against whites but she told me what she went through and if I went through all of that I would of killed my self...really. But people from that era....I don't know what to say really just don't be like them.

Answer 5

Like most older people, your mother is probably really conservative (as far as politics).  She is probably used to the old way of thinking that all presidents should be older white men.  Your mother has been this way for 60 years and I doubt you are going to change her, so the best thing for you to probably do is to try to get this new "image" of your mother out of your head.  She IS your mother and she obviously has not forced her opinions on you.  Thank G_d. You need to tell her how you feel and let her know that the way she thinks is irrational...especially if she is going against what she believes is the right thing just because she doesn't want to agree with someone whose skin color is not the same as hers.

Answer 6

I must preface that I do have a point here....sorry it may take while to get there :)

I'm a 37 year old white American professional; my boyfriend is a 38 year old black American professional.  My point:  make sure your referring to "racist" in the proper context; rather than just your mom's possible ignorance on this matter (Obama, etc.).  (Ignorance meaning not fully educated on something.)

Realistically, Obama is mixed so he is just as white as he is black.  She may be focusing on the 50% part - which is ignorance.

Second, just a question - could it be possible that your mom's issue isn't so much about Obama's being part black as it is that your mom may be very conservative and/or afraid of change?  And perhaps she may be more comfortable with someone older who has much more experience like McCain does next to Obama (not good or bad but professionally McCain has more experience based on age)?

That all being said - what I'm hearing or thinking is that it may not have to do with anything except your mom's comfort level of the facts (their experience level).  I'm finding that many Americans are uneasy with how the state of our country is right now (the war and the economy) so they want a change.  Yet, at the same time, they are very uneasy getting a man into office that falls short in experience (like Obama next to McCain).  Meaning, scared of it getting possibly worse.  Many people we've been speaking to feel this way; I think many of us are very conflicted about it right now.  Your mom may not be any different but having a difficult time communicating that to you (or figuring out her feelings enough to do so).  

If it were me and it was my mom (who is also in her 60's), I would ask as many questions of her why she feels the way she does to be clear.  Instead of guessing I understand her and possibly trying to defend myself / assuming I know what she meant.  But that's just me.  I like to "seek to understand; then be understood".

I'm not saying your mom isn't a racist (I don't know her) - it is possible - but if race hasn't come up your entire life until now, I'm guessing she's not racist.....and it's more complex of why she feels this way than Obama just being PART black. :)  

Good luck!