So I mentioned last post about mom chasing the African American lady down in our church parking lot. Ever since she decided she was "marrying" Willie (her "boyfriend' from clubhouse) and confronted me in the kitchen about two inches from my nose, asking me "what would you do if my boyfriend was black?", she's been stuck on race. The she told my Mother in law that she and Willie had gone to sonic and they refused to serve them. Totally a made up story. *sigh* Even if they DID go to sonic (which they havent) they wouldn't have been refused service, unless maybe they had no money...ha!
Well, there is a new family on our street, and you guessed it, they are African American. They have kids, the kids have join the street play with the other kids, mine included. Its nice to have more kids around, when we moved in the neighborhood, save the neighbor's son, ours were the only kids on the street. Now across the street a family has moved in with two kids, and now down the street there are some more. Nice people, we are not the type to care if someone is purple, they are God's children just like we are.
Mom takes "walks" down to the end of the street and back, and one day I saw her stop in their driveway to talk to them. No biggie, I think. - Wrong!
Today, hubby goes to the neighbors to pick up coupons for me, and the neighbor tells hubby that mom had come over to his house to ask him "how he felt about black people living on the street" apparently, she is tickled that "they are allowed".
Sooooo, I guess I need to be sure the adults in this house knows whats going on, before she says something totally inappropriate and they think we are "those" kind of people. *sigh* .
Of ALL the things to be hung up on, why this?! This is Mississippi, it hasnt been long - and was in her generation, when race relations were so strained, lynchings were common place. Race relations still are not great today - even though I'd say they are better - at least from what I can tell.
Anyone have any ideas on THIS one? I feel like I should explain her behavior, inappropriate comments that she doesn't mean anything mean with them. Or would that make it worse? I have NO idea what to do with this.
Feel free to comment on this one. I really am at a loss!
How awkward! I guess being honest, she thinks she is back in an age when it was the case that people wouldn't be allowed to live where they wanted. I think the new neighbors will understand.
ReplyDeleteval if i were you i'd just tell them. it would be one thing if she were racist- but the opposite i think they would understand and maybe appreciate a little better. oh mercy- if it were some of my relatives, we would have to move!
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