why is the majority of the older white generation so hostile?

Question

After seeing a question entitled "why do so many young people embrace diversity" here on Y!A, i feel its my turn to ask this question: Why is the majority of the older white generation so hostile (and sometimes racist)?

I don't want to sound like an uber-liberal bleeding heart type nor am I politically correct, but honestly I don't understand why so many middle aged/older white people are still so racist and so hostile to other people. I know it comes in all races, and I do understand where some sentiments come from on some things (ILLEGAL immigration, the news, etc...) but seriously why can't they just accept its a different world out there today and despite all the shortcomings and generation gaps a lot of us "kids these days" (of all races) really aren't that bad. Its the ones who do bad things that make us all look bad. Yet it seems we're usually always looked at as delinquents and morons who know nothing (and treated as such).

I mean American white generation, not the white race in general.

Cody- I respect your beliefs, but I was raised in a very diverse community, predominantly East Indian, Chinese, Korean, Jewish, and Anglo population in the East Coast. Where I live people get along to an extent, but there's still so much tension.

Answer 1

I have an idea that I'm not sure is right, but I'll give it a go. My sense is that many folks in the older white generation are from the World War II era and the 1950s. Some of them put their lives on the line for this country, or more specifically for their idea of this country. The problem is that their idea of this country is the old 40s and 50s idea, and this country and its culture has undergone radical change since then and become quite a different place. My sense is that some of these folks feel a little hoodwinked. They made huge sacrifices to maintain a certain idea of this country and the kept this country alive, and then it goes and changes on them in ways they never imagined and quite frankly they don't like.

Answer 2

Well you have to think about what was going on socially in our country when the "older white generation" you speak of were your age. Last Sunday was the 50 year anniversary of the "Little Rock Nine" where 9 African American students enrolled at a high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. This ended segregation in Little Rock and the south. You may not be able to comprehend how short of a time period 50 years is, but there are a bunch of people in this country who are 65 and older who lived during this period of time in America. Ever heard the adage "You can't teach an old dog new tricks?" Well if you pay attention during history class you will find out that this period of time was not a joyous occasion for a bunch of people and not just the "older white generation." If you can think on a broader scope, you can understand why many black people don't like white people. History does have a way of repeating itself.

Answer 3

I don't know where your getting this perception. All white people where I live are very accepting of other races. Illegal immigration has nothing to do with race. Its about the rule of law. How would you like it if you came home and a stranger was sitting on your coach and eating your food. Then the police came and told you you had to give him some money for his medical expenses too? I don't think you would like that. I'm white and most illegals are Hispanic but I tend to like Hispanics more than white people. That doesn't mean I think they should be able to get away with breaking into my country though.

Answer 4

What you felt and has stated is just a continuation of a historical process.With advancing age,many people get caught in a time-warp,fear of change ,imagined betrayal by friends or growing up generation,hidden enemies and worst,their own declining power to control and steer things like politics,social changes and so on. The net result can't be anything but hostility and it not limited towards younger generation but any thing and every body who they think are responsible for the mess(as they say).Solution ?Like history,learn to live with it as any attempt to reeducate them would generate more hostility .The only redeeming part is a minority of elders who have kept up with the times and believe that the younger generation is as good (if not better) as them to meet the demands of the present and future.

Answer 5

You probably live in a community with only white people. I grew up thinking racism was wrong until I joined the military. Granted, I was enlisted and was dealing with relatively uneducated and young minorities. I learned that there are serious differences in our cultures which usually line up with race. Don't think what you see on TV is a reality. Most people hate American whites more that whites could anybody. I've grow to be open to every race in the US but most African/Americans. From my experiences, they are lazy, overly attached to their races stereotypes, and they disrespect "bitches". I think the reason older people hate blacks are the racial wars of the early 1900s. On top of that, most older people hate Asians because of World War II, Korea, & Vietnam. Granted, these are all generalization but if you're not aware of the differences in races/cultures you are at a disadvatage and nieve. Racism sucks but you better realize it's real.

Answer 6

Yeah, sometimes I wonder about this, too... but the thing is, as people get older, they get more set in their ways. A lot of the older people now grew-up when racism was pretty prevalent. I guess it's just hard for people to change their way of thinking. And yeah, it's SO annoying how we're always looked upon as "bad" or whatever. I think the best way to handle it, rather than getting pissed about it (which is hard xD ) is to be gracious about it, since they're old and the world has changed so much since the time they were kids.

Answer 7

It's always been that way.
It's the way of the white man.
Did you know that in early America, when most everybody was of English descent, they still found a way to blast each other! The Congregationalists despised the Anglicans!
Then, in the 1850s, a lot of Irish people came to America. They were the white underdog!
The endless cycle of white people finding reasons to dislike other people got even worse with the immigrants from Europe. Polish people got such a bad rap they are still stinging from it!

Answer 8

I have lived through things I never thought I would. I am not bitter just wiser. It doesn't all come down to race. It comes down to the man and what he is made of. You are all you believe you will be. You are all you believe you are. Period.

Answer 9

I think both are horrible sterotypes. I think the world is just full or horrible, ugly, rasict, sexist, hateful people. That's a fact.

Answer 10

I think it's because of the culture, of people around that age and wehre they live.