General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Does America treat Black People fairly? [View all]Sweeney
(505 posts)If I am not prejudiced, I am cautious. I am careful to not give offense, and since I offend a lot of people and take for granted that I offend people, I avoid black people so I do not have to worry about offending them. But we are culturally different and it is hard to avoid giving that difference your attention.
I had a black girl friend once, and she was a pretty good fit, and she wanted to go white and I was like super man back then. But I let it out to an aunt that I was thinking about it and that news bounced around my family like a grenade. They are not very racist, but culturally it put them over an edge, and without any support for the idea, I could not go with it.
You really need a lot of family support to do kids, and all of that. They really did support my half Jewish child, and did so better than myself. I was never much of a father in spite of wanting children out of my own vanity. But they never made known that side of themselves, and I had taken for granted that they would not mind.
I saw the same reaction when my cousin's child came out as Lesbian. I don't care; because the kid was sharp; real intelligent, highly educated. And the family took it badly, and sort of rejected her. My Aunt phrased it thusly: She is not one of our denomination. I asked: What the heck does that mean? Did she join the Presbyterians? I would own her in a heart beat. She is one of us; she is super intelligent, and between her and her girl friend they have a child who needs family, and you will let some silly shit stand in the way of a relationship with this kid? There are none of us that are dumbbells, but I would point to such a one with pride.