Dealing with Small Minds (help)

[dalthauser]

I've read some posts from my LJ friends regarding what appears to be a turn our country has taken. 

Primarily what I feel is over-the-top intolerence and scorn, from what is becoming a substantial section of our society, directed in various areas:

The financially disadvantaged (employed or unemployed)

People of middle eastern descent (whether they are of the Muslim faith or not)

Gay folks who want to marry

President Obama

I usually just roll my eyes when I experience this behavior on news sites and radio/tv; however, I find that I'm deeply affected when friends and family display this mindset. 

Some in my immediate family (father/brother) are virtually rabid when it comes to attacking Obama and liberals - and they seem to agree with the entire Palin/Limbaugh ideals.  I'm much more hurt by this than annoyed.  These people are my blood relatives - how is it that I'm related. How is it that I didn't notice this while I was being raised in the same house until for all those years?

Family hurts - maybe because I have no choice but to love them regardless.... I don't know.

Friends and in-laws are another story.  I'm trying to find a way to tolerate it from them (since isn't the lesson TOLERANCE....haha) - but honestly - my gut instinct is to toss them aside.  I have no patience for this type of thinking from anyone who I don't have to tolerate it from.  I need help with this because I can see it becoming an issue in the near future - and I don't want my husband to have to be in the middle should I decide to write off mutual friends or in-laws.

If anyone has some words of wisdom - I'm listening.

Comments

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Oh, so with you. Fortunately, I have only to deal with my father -- the rest of my family/friends are fairly like-minded. Well, most of 'em.

The only words of wisdom I have to offer are to keep everything decidedly non-political. If someone insists on bringing things up, just quietly say, "let's not talk about that."

However, all my manners go out the window on the internet. If you send me offensive internet shit about Obama, I will hand you your kidneys back on a plate. What? We all have our weaknesses :)

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

In real life this is the tactic I prefer as well. It's Facebook and emails where I get most of the most obnoxious stuff.

I've taken to replying to some in my family, but I've now decided I'm just going to block their emails - the only I thing I get from them is forwarded political stuff and chain mail anyway.