Our Great DiscrimiNation, Part 9
I have grandparents whose answer to any argument is that we can trace our family lineage back to the Mayflower (we can’t, BTW). It doesn’t matter the topic or argument; they’ll always find a way to move the goalposts to make their lineage relevant. I could tolerate it before, but they’ve moved in for two months while their house is being renovated.
I’ve just got back from school, and I’m talking to my mom about a history project I’m working on. Grandma butts in:
Grandmother: “Why have they got you learning all this Black History stuff?”
Me: “Because it’s Black History month, Grandma.”
Grandmother: “You’re an American in an American school; you should be learning about American history!”
Me: “We are. Black History Month is about Black Americans. It covers slavery up until now.”
Grandmother: “Ugh, slavery again. That’s all they talk about!”
Me: “Yes, I can imagine it can be annoying to have someone talk about historical boat journeys across the Atlantic over and over again.”
Grandmother: “…”
A few weeks later, at the start of a new month:
Grandmother: “So, have you gone back to real American history now?”
Me: “I’m studying this now.”
I show her a book about the Navajo, Cherokee, and Sioux tribes.
Grandmother: “Your school never teaches about real Americans!”
Me: “These are real Americans!”
Grandmother: “What about Washington! Lincoln! I’m going to talk to your principal next week and talk about your history teacher! We can trace our lineage back to the Mayflower so they should listen to what a real American has to say.”
Me: “Grandma, if you think any connection to the Mayflower is what makes you American, then I think the Navajo, Cherokee, and Sioux have you beat.”
Grandmother: “There’s no winning with your generation!”
Me: “It’s not an argument when it’s facts versus feelings, Grandma.”
I was so happy when they moved out.
Related:
Our Great DiscrimiNation, Part 8
Our Great DiscrimiNation, Part 7
Our Great DiscrimiNation, Part 6
Our Great DiscrimiNation, Part 5
Our Great DiscrimiNation, Part 4
