Quote:
Originally Posted by Quixote
It's easy to write off our racism—that is, those of us who were—by explaining (or excusing?) it as a product of the times, as pointed out by Golfingnut and DianeM. But while "separate but not equal," "white and colored water fountains," "poll taxes," and "lynchings" were more part of the times back then than now, it doesn't mean that back then—on a personal level—every individual and every family manifested racist attitudes, as pointed out by senior citizen.
My parents certainly did not reflect the times in this regard, and I was raised in an atmosphere that was the antithesis of racism. And I have no recollection that in doing/being so, my parents were out to make a social statement or that they were bucking what was contemporary at the time; rather, this is the way they chose to live—strictly on a personal level—and the values with which they raised me. 'Nuff said....
And to go back to the topic, I completely agree; Paula Deen's life is none of my business!
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My Ukrainian and Italian parents were not at all bigots............
My mom was even ahead of her times, being both ecumenical and not rigid, bit free spirited ......which allowed me also to think freely.......
Going to public school also helped in that respect.....
However, I'd say the more insulated isolated Polish inlaws were most definitely like Archie Bunker, etc. when I met them in 1962......
When we were young parents, I noticed that the generation before us were still racist and bigoted and would make embarrassing comments in public........like at a mall (these were wonderful elderly neighbors of ours by the way, surrogate grandparents to our children).....however, they were quite loud and vocal if they saw a mixed couple pushing a stroller at the mall.......I'd have to hush them.
Again, our kids were color blind.........and still are.