why are some elderly so racist?

Question

My boyfriend (who is black) of 4 years and I went out for pizza tonight. A white elderly couple who sat in the booth behind us was leaving and as the man helped the woman put her coat on he looked at my boyfriend and said, "We gotta get out of this bad area" and nodded his head towards my bf.

We are both college graduates. We were both dressed well. My boyfriend drives a brand new jeep and he is a police officer. (Those last two things I just wanted to add, though the elderly couple couldn't see them).

I respect that everyone is entitled to their opinions, but COME ON! To say them out loud!? Two feet away from people!? We were just minding our own business, eating our dinner quietly and those "mature" people ruined our appetites.

I wish I could have had the guts to say "Yeah, good thing we have a COP here since you're in such a "BAD" area."

I'm infuriated by this. In our four years together no one has ever been so rude. Why are some elderly so racist and tactless?

Answer 1

Why are young people so immature?

Answer 2

I think when you get older, you become resistant to change. Let me try to explain my theory why:

When you encountered the elderly couple (you didn't specify how old) they might have been born somewhere in the 1930's-40's. They've quite possibly been through the depression, WWII, the Korean war, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy assassinnation, the Civil Rights movement, Hippies, the Vietnam War, Black Sabbath, Star Wars (the movies and SDI), The Gulf War... basically 60-70 years of history in the making. The culture they came from was the one they liked the most (such as why those Ameriprise commertials about retirement glorify the Hippy days when the Baby Boomers were in their prime).

After seeing so much history played out right in front of their faces, and seeing a lifetime pass by, only to be examined by society as only called "Elderly" because some people feel guilty by calling them "old". They aren't the people that our society cares about, and so they do what ignored people do best: say whatever makes them happy.

They don't care about accepting the racially slanted background they came from because their opinion doesn't matter to anyone, and they would rather have the attitudes of their own time back rather than accept the present. They also have connected with the past their youth, which of course every aging person wants back dearly.

I don't blame them frankly (I'm only 18 by the way), they aren't the focus of attention anymore, they don't have the health, youth, etc. that they had in their prime. Their families probably make vague references to their untimely demise and inheritance behind their backs, they're stereotyped to death as being incompitent, useless and out of date, etc.

What I'm getting at here, is that people think old people do things just because they are old, and I don't think anyone will figure out the logic of the aged untill they become old themselves.

Anyway, there's my answer.

Don't be so harsh on the elderly, they lost the control of the world, know they won't get it back, but want it desperately none the less, just as we do.

Answer 3

Old age does not necessarily turn a complete and utter cow into a sweet old lady, or an utter tosser into a gentleman. Frankly, it usually makes them worse. Doesn't mean they're bad people though - but if that's how they were raised, six decades or so isn't going to change them much.

Best theory I've heard is that old people are really opinionated because they hate change. When we see change, we see the advancement of time. Once you get to the point where you're rather aware of your own mortality, you suddenly find yourself getting pretty damn crabby about anything that reminds you about the sand running out the hourglass.

Answer 4

Elderly people are sometimes more racist than others because the races were more isolated from each other in the past when they were growing up. The elderly formed their attitudes in that isolated environment. The isolation led to ignorance (a lack of knowledge) of other races and the ignorance led to distrust and fear.

Answer 5

i am sorry what you guys went through. Some in the older generation have not gotten over their superior attitudes. It was unfortunately taught to them as kids that their race of people are better. This racist attitude occurs in both white & black people. My dad was the same way. Don't let no one get you down. Keep your head up!

Answer 6

My dad was a caring, generous man who denied fervently that he might be even remotely prejudiced. During WWII, he was a white commander of a black Seabee corp and really respected the men who served in his corp, their work and their willingness to put themselves at risk. Yet, even at 94, he still referred to them as boys when he would never do so with the rest of the military. It took him a long time to loosen up enough to appreciate his two biracial great-grand-daughters and not condemn his grand-daughter for being involved with a black man.

Old programming dies hard.

Answer 7

Unfortunately it is because the time in which they were raised. I am black and married to a white man. I try to explain to my kids that 70 years ago that would not be possible. With people living longer, there are still people out there that are closed minded and ignorant. You should feel sorry for them because they have closed themselves in a lonely box when they could experience all the flavors that are out there. Be proud, be happy don't waste energy on being pissed off.

Answer 8

I dont think it depends on how old someone is. Though i will say it wasnt looked down apon then like it is now. I think some people just get racism in their heads and have it for life. Wait, one day that older gentleman will fall down and i hope its your boyfriend who has the privilege to help him up. Maybe that gentleman just needs a little education on humanity and equality.

Answer 9

I think part of the reason is because they grew up in a time when blacks were treated less than whites. The other part (if their is one) I have no idea.

Answer 10

Did you say the "elderly" you need to get out more with your black boyfriend......the younger generation is worst....you should do a little research on hate or racial crimes...the elderly only use words...there children and grandchildren use trucks, cars, bats, knifes, guns....do I need to go on ?

Answer 11

sorry but this really is a dumb question. why do you think? they grew up in a time where that was not acceptable. get over it or stop dating him. some people arent going to like. they arent racists, thats the way they were brought up. so lets see when youre daughter grows up and wants to marry a pakastanian militant, will you see go ahead honey>?