Originally Posted by
Stephanie47
I would not pass up an opportunity to confront bigotry at any age. Elders should not be given a pass because of age. My wife's non-biological grandfather was a rabid anti...take your choice. Race and color and sexual orientation. All of it. He had two men who lived together across the street from. Each morning they kissed good bye as one went off to work. One was always attired as a woman. He also railed against African-Americans, Mexicans.
One day he was shooting pool with me and my father-in-law. He was in his late seventies by then. He was leaning on his cue stick when he thoughtfully said his hatred and bias was wrong. He should not be saying bad things about others. I don't know if he was making amends with his maker or just coming to a realization everyone was just people like him.
Years later, I told my wife about his amends and the conversation. My wife just lit into me. She had been afraid for all those intervening years that her grandfather was destined to go to hell for his hatred. It had always weighed upon her.
So, it is possible an elderly person or any one can realize their hatred is wrong and make amends. Make the effort to confront any discrimination for any reason. What if the conversation had turned to Africans or other people of color in England? Would you confront that or give them a pass on that too?