Are many older Americans like this?

[WorldIRC]

My girlfriend (who lives in Michigan) and I have been dating for 10 months now. Over the months, I have gotten to know her friends, her family, and other people. Her mother irks me the most though. Her ignorance or what nots of the "real world".

Growing up in Metro Detroit may have something to do with it. They live in the wealthy white suburbs. Her mother is truly scared of black people. She once said you have to be friends with them or they'll vandalize your car. I was shocked to hear that. You could never get away with saying that in Toronto. Then when talking about their "war on terror" or other crimes, its always, the arabs this and the arabs that. After I confronted her and told her that Arabs are not all muslims and vice versa she was shocked. I had to explain to her that calling someone an Arab is the same as calling them an Italian. Once is country of origin (Saudi Arabia) and the other is religion (Islam). My question is are many older "educated" folk like this or has she been brainwashed by whatever propoganda she reads. My gf, her father, and her sister are much more intelligent then this.

[experiment626]

Well the Arab=Muslim misnomer is understandable.Even most media outlets use the term interchangably.I think even non-European Israelis are considered Arabic.Are you suggesting their is no racism in Toronto?I don't know the demographics of the city.I do know Detroit is terrible,for any number of reasons.

[WorldIRC]

Toronto is very different than Detroit. We are "multicultural". Detroit is Black and White (for the most part atleast). I think the main problem with many American cities is that lack of multiculturalism..in comparison to say Miami or Toronto. In Toronto, most people my age are taught everyone is equal..public schools welcome everyone, etc... Plenty muslims have grown up in my area and get along PERFECTLY with everyone around them. I really think ignorance is a problem amongst the older population. I have not experienced that problem in Toronto..not as obvious atleast like in Detroit.

My girlfriends mother's response to the misnomer was "the government calls them Arabs so they must be Arabs"

[EPVQ30]

i think this lady may be one of many sheltered life cases that hasn't earned a day's pay in her life.
come to Boston or NYC and see multicultures, people are not like her.

[WorldIRC]

^It's funny. She was a public school teacher for her entire working career.

[EPVQ30]

you would figure that after teaching public school kids you would learn more about other cultures and what's going on in kids minds. music, fashion, drug use, street smarts, etc.

weird.

[Himself™]

Alot of older people are set in their ways yup, kind of like trying to teach an old dog new tricks, though you can teach an old new tricks it seems, older peoples can be very stubborn in their ignorance most times.

[sabesh]

Check 'dis out :hehehe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6t1s8MMvFE

[braindead5400]

So this may offend some people, but I feel that certain assumptions about black people are justified. It all depends on life experiences. There are certain problems that I've had with black people that I simply have not had with people of other ethnic backgrounds. I've never had anyone who wasn't black call me a faggot on the street, try and mug me, or make some other threat or inappropriate comment. What makes it even more interesting is the fact that I'm mixed with black myself and I've noticed that there are black people who will treat me differently once they figure that out (I'm very pale).

Of course I'm not saying that all black people are the kinds of people who would say or do such things to others, but life experience tells me that I should probably put my guard up when I'm walking down the street alone.

[EPVQ30]

they'll be talking about this for years!

[orangejello727]

I think when it comes to older people, you have to be the one to understand and not take anything out on context.

There is an old guy on my street. he is greek/polish or something. Very oldschool. Been in Canada over 40 yrs and his english is still bad. Anyways, he and I get along. He has nothing to do as he is retired so he always cuts my lawn. He wont take my money so im forced to buy him cases of wine. Its about the only thing he'll accept from me.

I was talking with him one day about new people moving into the hood. Being a good guy, he does have some biased opinions. He goes off on a rant about how black families will ruin the area. Then goess off on chinese people and how they rent their places to 20 other familes out of one house.

Then he goes into a rant about terrorism and US politics. Now here's the best part. Im East Indian (Hindu). He goes into a rant about terrorist who blow themselves up and did 9/11 blah blah. He throws in the following comments.. "I hate all those mother fuckers. Except you. I know you are one of their brothers, but you are okay, I like you". LOL I busted out laughing. I told thim im not like them. I didnt bother explaining how im different but was funny.

When it comes to old people.. they just let out whatever they want to say. It doenst bug them.

[Meet Lucas]

When it comes to old people.. they just let out whatever they want to say. It doenst bug them.

It's not only old people, though. I'm 24, and don't consider myself racist or discriminist, but when I'm around someone of a middle eastern decent, do I second guess being around them? Yes, I do, simply because of the past they've had in war with America. (9/11)

It may be sad, but unfortunately, one person CAN ruin it for everyone.

[orangejello727]

It's not only old people, though. I'm 24, and don't consider myself racist or discriminist, but when I'm around someone of a middle eastern decent, do I second guess being around them? Yes, I do, simply because of the past they've had in war with America. (9/11)

It may be sad, but unfortunately, one person CAN ruin it for everyone.


Well thats a problem you need to deal with. If you generalize and lump everyone in one group like you do with middle easterners then why dont u do it with all groups?

Are you afraid of a priest touching you?
Are you afraid of a black dude car jacking you?

I mean you are stereotyping.. Why not be afraid of all stereotypes then?

[EPVQ30]

old school folks don't belive in racism, they just hate everybody on an equal basis.

great story.