I've told this story(or maybe I haven't) before but it feels more important now than before. My dad was a racist. Said awful things about all minorities. Growing up and being around him I heard it all. And of course to want that love from a dad I more often than not went along with it. Hell, I was a kid. I didn't know any better. So as you can assume, I started to think like him.
Fast forward to college and going out on my own. Being exposed to different people, backgrounds, cultures showed that I was dead wrong. I started to hate my dad for brainwashing me and being ignorant to the changing world around me.
When I had kids I made a promise. I promised that hate would have no place in my house. My kids would enjoy a life where everyone is welcome and treated equally and they won't look at how a person looks first. Its whats inside. I ended up having words with my dad once when he said stuff around my son when he was little. Told him that if he was going to be like that then kiss his grandson goodbye. He wouldn't see him any more or any grandkid.
Line in the sand. The hate ends with me. The next generation can be the ones to Sheppard in better, less hateful times.
Racism is borne from ignorance and fear. Whats to fear? You put your pants on like I do. You and everyone are human beings with the right to be free and prosper. How hard is that to let happen?
I'm sorry that the reality is what it is for you and your family. I pledge to do my part to make things a better place for everyone.