Thanksgiving Rant...
My mom has Thanksgiving at her house every year and is obligated to have her husband's family, too - and they are right-wing Christian fundamentalists. Some of them home-school their children so they won't be exposed to diversity and multiculturalism, so they naturally clash with my liberal Democrat family. Usually we are okay as long as we avoid the topics of politics and religion (which means we listen to the same silly stories year after year, for lack of anything "safe" to discuss).
Last night, however, we were treated to learning that one of the families - a mom and dad with two daughters in college read aloud together the entire series of the Left Behind books! It's especially offensive since my mom and our side of the family are Jewish and, of course, the ones who they think will be left behind. The saddest thing of all is that they had no inkling that this would be offensive to us, and were utterly confounded by the response this received. This afternoon we are all going to see The Boy in Striped Pajamas, a holocaust movie sure to be heartwrenching; it is my mom's husband's attempt to gently educate his grown children (he's not like his children at all, thank goodness) and grandchildren, but it won't work. [/rant]
Aside from that, I am eternally grateful for my own family (I have an amazing mother, brother, sister-in-law, and stepdad) and friends, and I am grateful that everyone I care about is healthy and happy! :-) I am also extremely grateful that in less than two months the United States will once again have an intelligent president! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Last night, however, we were treated to learning that one of the families - a mom and dad with two daughters in college read aloud together the entire series of the Left Behind books! It's especially offensive since my mom and our side of the family are Jewish and, of course, the ones who they think will be left behind. The saddest thing of all is that they had no inkling that this would be offensive to us, and were utterly confounded by the response this received. This afternoon we are all going to see The Boy in Striped Pajamas, a holocaust movie sure to be heartwrenching; it is my mom's husband's attempt to gently educate his grown children (he's not like his children at all, thank goodness) and grandchildren, but it won't work. [/rant]
Aside from that, I am eternally grateful for my own family (I have an amazing mother, brother, sister-in-law, and stepdad) and friends, and I am grateful that everyone I care about is healthy and happy! :-) I am also extremely grateful that in less than two months the United States will once again have an intelligent president! Happy Thanksgiving to all!