My Freeper Sister

[Steely_Dan]

I'm livid right now and I'm seriously considering cutting off all ties with my only sibling.

She is a Freeper and is convinced that the reason why so many died in the floods was because local government didn't do enough. That kind of comment I pretty much expected from her. But what I didn't expect is what she said next. Maybe she was trying to be funny, I don't know.

She asked me if I knew why so many died in the floods in New Orleans? I asked "Why is that?" She said it was because black people can't swim.

I was floored. I asked her how she could be so insensitive especially during a time when people are dying as we speak. She told me to quit being so sensitive, that it was just a joke.

I laid into her telling her that she has confirmed my worst fears about those on the Right. I also said that I wasn't sure that I could associate with her anymore. She asked me why...I said, that if I had to explian it to you, you wouldn't understand. I hung up.

I'm pissed...so pissed and disappointed. I don't know what to do.

-Paige

[still_one]

1. Tell her these are human beings!

Ask her where is her humanity?

[ET Awful]

2. WTF?

I mean . . . I just have no response to that.

I probably would have done the same thing you did and just hung up . . . sometimes it's best to just disconnect.

[RagAss]

3. Family is overrated..... Forget her....

[Hello_Kitty]

4. Very tasteless of her

Good for you for calling her on it, though I hope you two are ultimately able to patch things up. This horrible tragedy had better force America to deal with it's ugly underbelly of racism once and for all and a good start is for Caucasians of good conscience to confront racism every time it occurs in our presence. Silence is compliance.

[alittlelark]

5. Say to her what I said to a similar $&%*^

"Your neighbors house is on fire"... you saw the smoke at first....but, whatever. The smoke turns to flames - you ask the window closest to their bedroom "are you OK?". No one answers. You can go about your buisness, strumming your guitar.


THE SANE RESPONSE - You see your neighbor's house on fire and you dive into action to get them and their pets out of harms way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mythsaje]

6. It WAS nasty and racist...

though I heard a similar joke from a black man once...

We were at a lake and everyone else was swimming and he said "we can't swim, man...that's why we're HERE."

Regardless, I don't think I could deal with such a sibling right now. I can barely deal with acquaintances who are righties. And something like that, said in that fashion, would send me to the edge of serious anger.

."

[MadeinOhio]

7. She's a racist POS tell her to get out. No more fascism.

[reprehensor]

8. I'm sorry.

That's shitty.

But you're right, if that makes you feel any better.

[Ladyhawk]

9. I'm so sorry. My brother is a freeper and he would definitely think

that joke was funny. :( :( :(

Part of the problem, folks, is that deep down inside many of us both love and hate our freeper family members. Rage and love in equal measure make the whole thing a personal hell.

[Der Blaue Engel]

10. I've cut off ties with all my freeper family for similar reasons

I finally realized that just because I was related to them, didn't mean I had to tolerate their hateful bigotry. They still wonder why I don't write them. "Was it something we said?" :eyes:

[melody]

11. Families are accidents of fate

I abandoned my freeper brother for similar reasons. They're dark-hearted ugly people.

[CountAllVotes]

13. yeah I got one of them too

Absolutely nothing in common with this greed monger with 5 SUVs and now unemployed. House now an ATM; cannot find a job. Tough shit is what I say after the way he has behaved. I gave up on him a long time ago ... the day he was "born again". :puke:

Know you are not alone. We all must do what we must to continue on in our fight to take back our country. If it means dumping a freeper sibling, fine. Small price to pay.


:kick:

[Cassandra]

14. Given that you have direct experience..

any idea why he turned out that way?

[melody]

18. it's a combination of factors

Genetics, his individual response to emotional abuse we suffered as children, and numerous other factors. We're all a composite of our experiences - we can only hope to encounter wise guides along the way to steer us around our own internal potential demons. I was lucky. My brother either wasn't lucky or saw greater profit in abandoning himself to them.

[Hello_Kitty]

23. Fundie Christians are like any other type of mind control cult

They target vulnerable, wounded people who feel left out of society. They bombard them with "love" and give them a group affiliation. It's very powerful stuff and hard to resist.

I came from an abusive family and have always had a really hard time forming relationships. My sister once commented that she always feared I'd join a cult. I'm so glad she was wrong. So is she, for that matter. Maybe one day your brother will realize that he is being manipulated. It happens. I've met several former fundies, so there is hope.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

12. I detect a meme.

Correction: I detect a worthless meme.







Or maybe I'm wrong!

[SammyWinstonJack]

15. I know what I would do if it were me, I would never speak with her again.

I don't know how anyone could say something so cruel, especially after watching what these poor people have had to endure! I can not even imagine what it must have been like and I hope I never have to find out! Your sister should be ashamed of her comment.

[really annoyed]

16. I've been dealing with my mom all day!

We got into an argument about her racist comments. And she's made a few of them. My dad is the same way.

And yet, I still love my family. But I never let their racist comments slide. I don't think you can disconnect with you family because they make stupid comments. Just call them on it. It's what loving family members do! :)

My parents still love my sisters and me, even though we are all flaming liberals. Funny how that works... Three liberal kids come from two ultra-conservative parents. :)

[havocmom]

17. You will find other sisters who will better match your heart

No one will die from not talking to her. Put her on ignore in your life and spend your energy where it will do good. Trust me, I know of what I speak.

There are toxic people and it is painful when they are kin. But better to walk away then be poisoned and hurt further. There are others who deserve you love and will be good sisters to you out there waiting to be met.

We get two families in life: the one we are born to and the one we make.
Make a good family for yourself. It will feel better.

[Mr_Spock]

19. That joke/stereotype is horrid under any circumstance!!

At this time it is completely inexcusable. It says that this persons politics is more important that their humanity. I don't blame you for being digusted - I wouldn't want to associate with anyone who thought that was even remotely funny at a time like this - family included.

[FreedomAngel82]

20. What the hell?

Black people can't swim? Ugh. Disgusting.

[Robbie Michaels]

21. Here's What I Did...

I faced this same situation with coworkers and friends last November, about a month after I joined the Randi Rhodes Message Board. I knew then that we were never going to get along as long we talked politics, and eventually the ones who couldn't keep politics out of discussion eventually fell by the wayside.

Kind of like my own political cleansing when you think about it.

Don't be too surprised if this is what happens to you. The people whose views make you sick, you will not want to spend time with them and eventually they are gone from your life.

[lildreamer316]

22. I am sorry that

you are having to have that kind of feeling about a family member. I hope that you can help her see the light; and if not that you can be strong enough to let her be for awhile--stir in her own juices as it were. Best of luck.