Reply #43: I have to say I agree with you about the generational thing

[Mari333]

I was trying to explain to a young man in my town , who is 30 years old, what it was like in the 50s if you were gay or black. He sat in my living room, with his mouth open, when I told him that being gay in the 50s meant complete anonymity..you did not even speak of it.Being black meant you were relegated to a non-person status , a lesser person . I was sort of delighted to see his shock at what I was explaining, because his world, now, sees gay people all the time on TV shows, sitcoms, reporters, etc..Its part of the social fabric to him..same thing with being african american..its part of his social fabric and its a no brainer to a 30 yr old to vote for a man for pres who is black. He just sees Barack as a man, the colour of skin means nothing to him.
On the other hand, my mother, who is 83, still thinks in stereotypes. She cannot get past them.
Yes, a whole generation of folks will move on, and the new social network will be much more open and tolerant, thank god.