What is it with Senior Citizens and their prejudice? Help pls.

[ChipsAhoy]

I work in an senior citizen assisted living center and I'm so disheartened to hear some of the political trash talk going on around me. And worse, I'm not "allowed" to comment anymore. *sigh*

I got a verbal warning from my supervisor that I'm not allowed to discuss politics with the seniors anymore because I'm upsetting "the majority."

While I won't post the ignorant and mostly racist comments I've heard ... I have to say that racial prejudice is alive and well in the senior community. AND, they VOTE. That's the scary part to me.

I don't know how in the hell I'm going to keep my mouth zipped until Obama wins.

HELP!

Any advice from anyone, other than quitting my job? (I wish I could go on a long vacation until November and come back gloating - but I can't.)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Keep a tally

of all the bigoted comments you hear. And then donate that much in money or time to the local Democratic party.

[ChipsAhoy]

6. I like that idea

It will have to be time, senior aides don't make squat. But, I joined the Young Democrats group at the community center and have met some SUPER people. Our 3rd meeting is tonight and I'm going to bring up the warning I got at work. See what they say.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

66. I figured that, which is why I suggested time

If it makes you feel any better, my mom, who will be 90 in two weeks, is determined to live long enough to vote for Obama in the election. She's as WASP as you can get, but she was a member of the Urban League in the '60s--one of those Liberal Republicans they had back then. :)

[krkaufman]

67. Maybe you can have some of your community center people target the senior center ...

... for canvassing. Give the old people a chance to amend their ways, since they'll be crushing their grandkids futures by voting for McCain.

[Curtland1015]

2. We were out to eat with my wife's Grandmother last week...

...and she was saying that she just plain does not like Sarah Palin or John McCain. But she would never vote for that "Oreo" (referring to Obama of course).

It makes me sad when old people say things like that. But it's a by product of the age they grew up in. Nothing you can really do about it.

[nc4bo]

10. Lots of folks like that down here in "friendly" redneckland so I had to think of a counter

comment and it goes something like; Remember the saying that once you go black, you won't go back? well, white folks have been doing such a mighty fine job of it over the past 8 years :sarcasm:, you're clearly not happy about the way things are going (they always fuss about something or other), why not give someone else a shot at it and see how it goes? You can always "go back" in 4 years.

it's a corny line but usually gives the *friendly* ones something to think about.

Disclaimer: I'm black.

[annabanana]

25. not bad

"give it a shot.. how bad could it be?" In a friendly environment it might do the trick.

(disclaimer.. I'm a damn yankee, but I defer to your knowledge of deep-red sensibilities)

[ChipsAhoy]

12. Did you keep quiet when she said that?

I'm sure you had to out of respect for your wife. I have to tread lightly around a few family members myself - that's tough for me.

Yes, I've heard that stupid "Oreo" comment. grrrr, but the N word sets me off. I've taken a few seniors aside and tried to explain to them how that word is a "big no-no." I still don't know which of the seniors reported me since my sup'v said I'm upsetting the majority. pfffft

[Curtland1015]

18. Yeah, I did. It was at her birthday dinner after all.

Can't really start a fight with an old lady in a restaurant...

She knows I'm not a fan of her racist comments (this wasn't the first), she just doesn't care because she's old.

[ChipsAhoy]

30. Bingo!

That's one thing I LOVE about seniors is that they don't care anymore about what they say or do. However, when it involves something as important as this election ... that's different.

You were a good man not to stir the pot on her birthday. That took some self-control. Hey, can I borrow some of that? haha

[pipi_k]

39. The age they grew up in

very true...

My MIL died three years ago at the age of 93

she was born in Virginia, grew up there for a few years before moving with her family to the Northeast

but by then her personality (and prejudices) had already been formed.

till the day she died, she always referred to black people using the *N* word

I used to cringe.... :scared:


but it was pointless to try and correct her, you know?

[Kalyke]

57. You do realize that there is racism in the Northeast.

It's not a product of where you live, but who you choose to be.

[Thrill]

3. Lost Cause

[sammytko]

4. I agree. lost cause - greatest generation

arent' all great - except for my dad of course! He would have loved Obama.

[AZBlue]

62. Wow. Way to overgeneralize and stereotype.

[Oak2004]

87. No -- just a more difficult cause

First off, people need to understand two things: one, that seniors, generally, think differently than younger people. They have a harder time with nuance, and are more easily manipulated. Two, like all good predators, the Republicans have zeroed in on seniors as especially vulnerable marks. They've been targeting seniors for years, not just for their votes, but to hoodwink them out of their cash with deceptive mailings.

One tactic I find that works with some seniors isto remind them of FDR (who was arguably our most popular president), point out that not only does McCain and his friends share the same party with Hoover, they share the same agenda, and likewise the Democrats have not changed significantly -- Obama and Biden have a platform and record that FDR might have run on. The big difference is that young people forgot the lessons of the past and put the Hooverites into power again, and again we're facing a possible depression. Do they really want to be on the side of the Hooverites, or would they rather side with the followers of FDR, who intend to keep the New Deal alive and America strong?

If the senior is from the next generation up, point out that the Eisenhowers are backing Obama, because they feel the current Republican party is a party of radicals and extremists... etc. Essentially, put today into some historical framework that makes sense to a person from that era, a time when they may have gotten more nuance and when they were less manipulable. If you can trigger the analogy, you can get them out of the grip of the Republican con men.

[Chan790]

5. Well...I'm an ass but I'd do this.

Tell your supervisor that you think it's healthy to engage the seniors in following the election...but that you won't be partisan. Set up election-related activities like debates between community members for their fellow seniors. Then...prep the hell out of the Obama debater and let them go out there and destroy the McCain debater with facts and policy positions for you.

You can sit in the back of the room and gloat as the old-heads get cantankerous.

[ChipsAhoy]

15. I love the suggestion

However, the Activity Director hates me because she's a right wing nutjob and we can't stand each other. I took one of the seniors to the "coffee and conversation" group last week and you would have thought it was a Repug convention. I won't suggest that "activity" to any of my seniors again.

Damn, I can't wait until November.

[POAS]

80. May I suggest that you keep an eye out

for potential voter fraud and intimidation when the residents get their absentee ballots.

If that director "helps" those elderly fill out their ballots she may be committing a crime depending on your state's laws.

Many of those elderly may secretly be voting for Obama but are afraid of being ostracized by their peers, if they cannot cast their ballot in secret they may feel forced to vote for McCain.

[pipi_k]

48. I'm hoping this is just a joke...

Because if my mom were in a nursing facility that permitted this sort of thing, I would have their heads on a platter.


IMO, this is like putting a bunch of little kids together and letting them duke it out on the playground for the amusement of the teachers.


yeah....what a great idea...take grandma and grandpa and let them get all agitated and raise their blood pressure so they have to take more medication to lower it, and their stomachs are upset so they can't eat, and they're all pissed off and can't sleep, and maybe a few of them have breathing or heart issues... Maybe one of them will drop dead from a stroke right there

Oh boy...what fun!

[eShirl]

7. the country was very different during their formative years

keep reminding yourself they are relics of a by-gone era and they, too, will soon be gone

hope that helps

[Thrill]

8. Again this is the reason. Mccain is even close in the polls

I hate to say it. But Obama is going to have to flood some of these states telling these older voters how bad McCain is for health care and social security. In other words we might have to scare these voters. Otherwise they just aren't going to vote for the Black guy. I would rather they not vote at all than vote for McCain

[ChipsAhoy]

21. I agree, but then again

I work full time with them - so I'm disheartened by their political leanings. I'm looking for Obama to put out some commercials that will address seniors. hope, hope! (Then I can whisper - "I like that guy!")

[Thrill]

23. I think it may be a Lost Cause and if thats the case

They need to start showing voters how his age is a weakness. More can't use a computer ads

[Earth Bound Misfit]

26. DONE...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV9GZUtCgPc

[xxqqqzme]

9. define 'senior' sparky

I'm 60, but in no way do I share the bigotry of my early/mid 80s parents.

[ChipsAhoy]

19. The youngest senior in my care is 86

The oldest one is 99 and his birthday is coming up. He's a sweety, tho, and steers clear of the trash talk.

[RichGirl]

11. They need to be reminded....

...McCain would have invested their social security in the stock market and they wouldn't even be able to afford a can of cat food!

My parents too...would have LOVED Obama. My mom was defending Clinton all through the impeachment to her republican neighbors in their Florida retirement communtiy.

[blondeatlast]

13. I'm a cusper (boomer>Gen X) but I was taught never to discuss politics with

anyone but my closest friends and relatives.

I certainly would never do so in the workplace. Maybe that's just me? :shrug:

[BumRushDaShow]

14. One thing that I haven't seen discussed on this board regarding the generations

is the school systems that many came through and what was taught regarding American and world history. Sure, prejudice is passed on within the family, but the schools were just as bad before the curriculum was slowly changed during the '60s to begin to correct the bullsh*t of the "happy darkie slave on the plantation singing and dancing all day"-type history that was taught and is still indoctrinated into the older society. A good chunk (roughly 25 - 30%) of those so-indoctrinated were able to get over it and have made good attempts at being "color blind" and "ethnic blind". The rest of the generation still has a ways to go but their children and grandchildren and great-grand children have been exposed to the new reality.

Prejudice exists in all races/ethnic/religous groups, but as time goes forward, and with less isolation and more exposure to others, the pendulum is slowly swinging towards a better society.

So at this point, all you can do is leave those folks be. Few are going to have an epiphany to change.

[calico1]

16. This is a generation that grew up in a time

when segregation was a way of life. Blacks were depicted as simple minded in most films. Or as totally subservient and in awe of white people.

It's really hard to change set in beliefs.

I think for the most part we can't count on the senior vote.

[pdxmom]

17. Take heart. They aren't all that way. I'm not sure even a majority

are that way. My parents are 72 and 81, white and from the South. Not exactly Obama's demographic, but both are strongly supporting Obama. While their health makes it difficult for them to get out and volunteer, they are donating money and doing their part with individuals they have contact with throughout each day.

I haven't seen my folks this excited about an election in a long, long time.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pdxmom]

33. Excuse me? Are you referring to my parents? N/T

[Kajsa]

47. WTH?

Did you even read her post?
( #17)

What in the hell are you responding to?

[MaineDem]

22. If you want to keep your job I'd suck it up and be quiet

All "senior citizens" do not think alike. I know many who understand completely and are voting for Obama.

But since your job is at stake you need to follow their rules.

But you could contact the local Dem Party office and suggest they send someone in to speak to these folks.

[ChipsAhoy]

28. Thanks MaineDem

I know I have to follow their rules. I'm also bummed that my personnel file now has a notation in it about my verbal warning - although I didn't have to sign anything. I'm up for my review and raise again in January (if I can make it that long.) Up until now, all my reviews have been excellent ... that might change because of this.

again, thanks. I like your suggestion about contacting my party and asking them to go there - the problem is they have to go through Judy, the rightwinger, to set it up. She'd nix it in a heartbeat. But, I'm watching to see if she brings in her own party rep's .... then I'll go OFF.

[shimmergal]

71. Who owns/runs the Center?

If it's done by a non-profit group I'd think they'd go for a "forum" arrangement, at least, with speakers from different parties. If it's "privately" owned the situation may be different, but might still be open to doing it if a few residents ask for it. Anyhow, it can't hurt to try.

And no, I don't agree about not disturbing these senior citizens in their prejudices. The world is full of people with different opinions, and as long as they're alive, they're still part of it. Attending would be voluntary anyway, wouldn't it?

[pipi_k]

43. You had me until

the part about contacting the local Dem Party office to send someone out to talk to these folks...

I disagree

these people, as someone else said down below, are nearing the end of their lives

why should they be lectured to like a bunch of naughty little schoolchildren?

Does that mean that another worker who supports the Republican party should contact the local office to send their representative in to talk to those people?

Then of course, the Libertarians...to be fair..should have a shot...

And the Green Party...

And Episcopalians, Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans....

I think my point is clear...


leave them alone, for god's sake...they deserve some peace in their final days...

[Balderdash]

24. Teach by example

Don't make me break out my Crosby, Stills and Nash... ;)

[sufrommich]

27. My parents are in their seventies and avid liberal Democrats,

to blame racism on age is silly,no one "grows" into racism in their later years,it's a reflection of who they have always been.Many,many people who are now old have grown tremendously from their youth in the 1950s through the decades that followed without reverting to reactionary political beliefs.That's a broad brush that no more applies to their generation than any other.

[Hepburn]

29. I'm a senior...so am I a racists, too? n/t

[oviedodem]

31. obviously not but it is a generational thing for some

[Hepburn]

44. I have to disagree ~~ from what I have seen...

...it is not only maybe an age thing, but a regional thing even more so. My ex hubbie was raised in the South and we are talking POS racist ~~ and he was NOT even aware of what a racists he was and bragged about how he saw everyone as equal. I was raised in the mid-West and on the West Coast...I do not have attitude like he had at all...not even maybe.

[Solomon]

45. Hepburn, it's so hard to think of you as a senior.

I guess you're only as old as you think.

We love you here. :loveya:

[Hepburn]

50. OMG....

...you made my day!!!!!

<smoochies> :loveya:

I turned 60 this year and I don't feel that age...until I look into the mirror and see my MOTHER STARING BACK AT ME! :wow:

[Solomon]

70. Hey, that's not old, that's perfect. I'm 54 and I love

older women. (I need a blushing thingy.) LOL

[mitchum]

32. They desperately want to believe that their gains were due to merit rather than white privilege

There's no fool like an old fool

[Balderdash]

35. Some of those old people worked their

asses off, without any help from the government. White Privilege? Some of you toss these terms around like you know what the hell you're doing or even talking about.

[mitchum]

42. Your "without any help from the government" and distaste at the suggestion of White Privilege...

is rather telling.
I do admire your restraint in not using "welfare queens", though

[Balderdash]

46. How dare you!

You have no idea what you're talking about and I meant no such thing. I'd say that your
knee jerk reaction to my post is more telling. I have no distaste for the Government helping
out when it's needed, as a single mother I needed them myself once. I've voted Democrat
my whole life just to make sure that all people have access to education and a helping hand.

[mitchum]

49. Twas not my knee that jerked first, dear lady

[Balderdash]

52. Oooookay....

How convenient and no class what so ever. Try and assume that we're on the same side before launching into calling me a racist.

[treestar]

85. They did get help from the government

And just from society, which treated them with privilege over nonwhite people.

The nonwhite people just wish they had the chance to work their asses off.

also, I don't see that they worked all that hard. They worked nine to five with weekends off, and only one in the couple had to work and could support a whole family on that husband's salary.

they have good retirement benefits that aren't threatened and they own their own homes. All just for working an eight hour day, which to me is not "working their asses off."

[ladyVet]

34. I don't know that there's anything you can do,

except smile and bear it. Perhaps you could see that any newspaper/magazine article refuting McCain can be left turned to that page?

My mother is 69, and grew up in a time when blacks and whites didn't mix. It's not that she hates black people, she just never knew any. My dad is 78, still works full time, but he doesn't care about politics--says they're all crooked. I'm still trying with him.

I've been working on my family since I moved back to NC when my two oldest boys where young. I told them I would not have any use of the n-word, or other racist things said, because my kids where growing up in a different world, and I wanted them to treat all people the same. Oddly enough, the family went along with me, with a few rare exceptions--I still have to get on a couple of my sisters when they slip.

My mother is crazy for Obama, by the way. I tell her about stuff I've researched online, because she won't go near a computer. This will be her second presidential election.

My mother's father, a second-grade drop out, alcoholic, mill worker, was a fierce Democrat. He always said the Republicans were only for the rich people, and was always asking people where he worked and in the neighborhood if they were voting, and would give rides to people to go vote, black or white. This was back in the 30s-59s (and maybe the 1920s, I'm not totally sure, he was born in 1902). During the Depression, many people came to my grandmother's door, and she never turned anyone away, no matter what color they were. I miss them both.

So, take heart, it's not all old people.

[ramapo]

36. Not just seniors

Sad to say, but not surprising, racism is the 1000-ton elephant that gets little discussion. There are a significant number of voters who believe we need a democratic president but just will not vote for a black man. This, and the old tax-and-spend fear mongering, is why it is a close election.

My wife has been an Obama supporter from the beginning but has little illusion that he can overcome the latent racism that is still so prevelant.

[madaboutharry]

37. If it makes you feel any better,

I have called scores of people in their 80's while working at the phone bank. I know that they are white people living in rural areas of central Wisconsin. Many of them are enthusiastic supporters of Obama.

[stillcool]

38. It isn't "Senior Citizens"..

it is people that happen to be senior citizens. Just imagine how those people who think like you do feel. They're stuck there.

[Left Is Write]

58. Thank you.

"Senior citizens" as a group are not racist.

I was raised by two people who are now senior citizens and both will vote for Obama.

[slackmaster]

40. I'm sorry to disregard your request, but I think you are in the wrong job

Those people are near the end of their lives. Someone paid good money for them to live it out there with some comfort and dignity. They aren't there to be lectured or preached to by some "uppity" young person who hasn't anywhere near the amount of life experience they have.

If you can't keep it zipped, you really should look for something else to do.

[LiberadorHugo]

54. Really now?

You're one of those people who believes that fascists like Agosto Pinochet should not have been forced to sit in a tiny cell and eat shitty prison food because he was old and sick. People who take pleasure in vote fraud and in the disenfranchisement of African-Americans do not deserve any sort of dignity whatsoever, no matter their condition or the amount of money that they're willing to pay for it.

[slackmaster]

61. What the fuck are you blathering about?

You're one of those people who believes that fascists like Agosto Pinochet should not have been forced to sit in a tiny cell and eat shitty prison food because he was old and sick.

That's a real hum-dinger there, LiberadorHugo. I do believe that prisoners deserve humane treatment, but you seem to be advocating making crimes out of thoughts that you don't like.

(edited to fix spelling of the n00b'z handle)

[ChipsAhoy]

77. Ouch

I never "lecture" them and I love seniors. I've been a volunteer with them most of my life until I got this paying job. And all my reviews have been excellent.

I admit I've hit a snag with this election time because the prejudice is gnawing at me. But I still love my seniors, bigots and all.

[pipi_k]

41. One thing I learned from caring for a senior

My MIL, who was 93 when she died

actually the same philosophy applies to drunks...


never (never never never) try to argue with an old person or a drunk.


You will lose each and every time.

and really? It's absolutely pointless. You're not going to change their minds, so why bother?


I mean, it's bad enough arguing with a younger person who still thinks the sun rises and sets on George Bush and that John McCain and Sarah Palin signal the Second Coming of Jesus...

Bang your head against a wall...you'll get the same results...


So discussing politics with an older person (who may be suffering from dementia in some form or another) is an exercise in frustration for both parties.

My suggestion...smile pleasantly...ignore the political comments...change the subject.

It does take some practice, but if you want to maintain your sanity (as well as your job) you'll have to do it....

[napi21]

51. I honestly don't think there's anything you can do. Most of the people

you are dealing with are quite old. There really is something to "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." My parents (I'm 65) had a few prejudicial ideas, but they were not maalicious. Most of their prejudice statements were directed to Jews & Italians...I have no idea why! My FIL was a rabid anti black idiot. We didn't live in the south, so his prejudice was all angry & snide remarks and generalizations. My husband had some of those opinions when we were first married, but after 45 years, I think I;ve changed his mind.

Our parrents are long gone, but I guarantee you, there's absolutely NOTHING I could have done or said to change my FIL! I think that's what you're seeing in the people your now try to help everyday. Their minds have been made up for a long time, and unfortunately, they'll die with those attitudes.

Concentrate on people you meet outside of work. THERE you stand a chance.

[Zomby Woof]

53. Your workplace is not a scientific sample

I would be careful extrapolating senior voting habits and racial attitudes based on your job location.

My parents and my mother-in-law are hardcore Democrats and voting for Obama. But I draw no conclusions from their choice other than they are smart, they know what is at stake, and THANK JEBUS AWMIGHTEE.

[ahem]

88. Well said.

[JimWis]

55. Some of them may be racist - but more than that, older folks

tend not to like change. It scares them. My Mom is 83, and she is afraid of change and to her Obama is a major change. And she is not at all racist. I knew some older folks, who in 2004, hated Bush, but voted for him. I asked them why - their answer - "because he is our president". Anyway, I have had a nice long talk with my mother, and she is now voting for Obama, I am happy to say.

[Jennicut]

56. My Grandma is 87 years old and voting for Obama!

She is not really racist but the men in her life have been (husbands, boyfriends). More against Asians then African Americans however. Must be because of WW II. She loves Barack however. She thinks that "Young man is fantastic". I love her.

[ContinentalOp]

59. Maybe you can organize some kind of really fun event on election day.

So they happen to forget to go out and vote. Or are they voting absentee?

They'll never vote for Obama so just try to convince them not to vote in some subtle ways. Turn they against McCain/Palin rather than for Obama.

[Iris]

60. So, in nursing homes, the Constitution no longer protects the minority from the tyranny of the

majority? From what you wrote, I assume there are SOME seniors there who are for Obama.

[knixphan]

63. you know the thing about 'teaching new tricks'...

Sometimes, it's just too late.

Focus on their grandkids.

[AZBlue]

64. I think first you should stop stereotyping all senior citizens.

You may just happen to work where there are a lot of racist Republicans, but there are A LOT of liberal seniors out there.

[ChipsAhoy]

73. Never my intention.

I know "all" aren't racists. I'm with them more than full time. This is the profession and calling I love - seniors.

I never intended to infer "all" at all.

[woolldog]

65. I have a suggestion.

Every time you hear a racist remark or someone who tells you they won't vote for him because of race, mark it down in a notebook. At the end of the week count up how many marks you have.

Then commit yourself to registering that many new, young voters in your community to cancel out the racist older voters you encounter at work.

That will make you feel better. And it's a productive way to handle your situation.

[hedgehog]

68. You should check out this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7122131&mesg_id=7122131

[crazy_vanilla]

69. keep your job, do not cast pearls before swine

I live in TX and most of the talk around me is Republican. I have learned to ignore because I know I will have the last laugh after the elections. I have chosen to keep my job which is my and my family's livelyhood.

The seniors are on their way out, the tide is changing, can't stop progress.

[ChipsAhoy]

72. Here's the BS I was talking about ...

http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-obama-race

And now it's on the front page of Yahoo. Grrrrrrr!

[RagAss]

74. If they had any dignity...they'd ask to be put on a raft and sent out to sea !

[Mz Pip]

75. If it's any consolation

the four seniors in my immediate family ranging in ages from 88 - 93 are all voting for Obama. Older Obama supporters do exist.

[ChipsAhoy]

76. thanks!

I think the few who feel that way at my job have been "silenced" or shamed into not speaking about it by the *cough* majority.

I was thinking last night that maybe someone their own age is who they would listen to. Care to share your seniors ...for me to bring them to work next week? ;)

[Chorophyll]

78. My mom is 83 and is happily voting for Obama.

Look, it's not necessarily an age thing, or even a question of where you live. Some people are bigots, and it's tough to change them. I'm 25 miles outside of NYC. My husband has a bunch of buddies who are in their 40s and 50s. These guys are Italian-Americans. When their grandparents came to America, they were treated as if they weren't even white. But in 2008, these guys are white enough to vote for McCain over Obama, because they think if Obama wins "everything" will be for the "Blacks."

My husband has argued with them but to no avail. They're ill-informed and afraid.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

79. I can understand why politics is off the table, however

is discussing racism the same as discussing politics?

I don't see why you should have to tolerate racist comments in the workplace. Advanced age does not entitle one to be rude.

[Honeycombe8]

81. Hmmm...I'm guessing you're pretty young? I'm middleaged. I understand them.

And let's be fair....seniors of all races are more prejudiced against other races than young people are. It's not just white seniors. Ask Af. American and Asian seniors...you will find the same percentage, if not more, prejudices against whites.

It's the time they grew up in.

Do you watch old movies? If you do, you'll notice that you don't see the races mixing, and stereotypes abound, and jokes that would be offensive now. Even the popular black & white Charlie Chan movies would be considered offensive, if made today. (BTW...the lead actor playing the Asian detective Chan....he was caucasian made up to look Asian.)

My grandmother couldn't get over the fact when blacks started appearing in acting roles on TV. OTOH, that doesn't mean she didn't think they had a right to be on TV. And she certainly loved the one black tap dancer on the Lawrence Welk show. But it was a new world. Things were changing. She wasn't used it to. She didn't hate black people, and I never heard her say anything ugly about them. It was just sort of accepted during her era that people of other races were second class citizens, altho they could be nice people...in their place.

I don't know that I'd even blame them. We are all results of the era we grow up in. People who were dirt poor during the depression era were forever frugile, even if they became wealthy.

[DeeDeeNY]

82. Prejudice comes out of ignorance

Go to Obama's website and print out some of his ideas and proposals, especially those that deal with senior citizens. For instance, I know he has proposed that senior citizen making less than $50,000 a year should NOT PAY ANY INCOME TAX AT ALL. Or print out these --
A reminder of what it was like with a Democratic president in the 90's --
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/09/27/clinton.surplus/
http://www.cnn.com/US/9607/30/clinton.terrorism/
How McCain is bad for senior citizens --
http://aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain_retirement.cfm

[doc03]

83. My mother will be 89 on Oct 1

she originally was a Hillary backer, now she thinks the world of Obama. My parents grew up during the 1929 Republican Depression and would never vote for a Republican. My dad passed away 19 years ago and I think the Archie Bunker character was based on him. I guarantee if he was alive today he would vote for Obama.

[LatteLibertine]

84. Racism/bigotry

are learned behaviors. They grew up in a time when it was much more acceptable.

You won't change these people. All we can hope for is when the old guard finally die off things improve.

[mtnsnake]

86. I had 2 different elderly women tell me why they won't vote for Obama

Both of these ladies seemed like extremely sweet people when I met them.

The first one was simply afraid of electing one of those....you know....long hesitation...then *whisper*.."black people" as President. There was little I could say to her. Afterall, how do you change someone who's a racist into someone who isn't and do it in a matter of minutes?

The second lady wasn't going to vote for Obama because she was concerned that he "used to be a Muslim" and "his father IS a Muslim". She told me she was petrified that if Obama got elected that the terrorists would invade and take over our country within months. After I told her that Obama has always been a Christian, I told her that Sarah Palin is secretly plotting with her neighbors, the Russians, to invade America and that I heard about it on Fox News. You should have seen the look on her face. BTW, I posted a thread about these two elderly ladies a week or so ago.

We really have do have a problem with some elderly voters, but I believe that for every one of those there is another who is fed up with Bush and the Republicans and will end up siding with Obama once they get to know him better.