If you could set aside your differences

Peoria, Arizona
November 20, 2018 1:54pm CST
And that is what my grandma spewed at my mother while they were on their way to the store, "If you could set aside your differences." That was in the context of Thanksgiving. My mom and I were invited to a Thanksgiving gathering with family up north and that would include, my grandma, great aunt and racist great uncle, my aunt and uncle who are visiting from Guam, and my second cousin and her husband who would be hosting the gathering. My mom said maybe to going up there but we were not looking forward to it. We do not get along with my family much. Anyone who is extended family we just don't mix well. After I saw my cousin post a transphobic picture on Facebook and my second cousin happened to Like it, I came out to my mother and told her that she can still go up there for Thanksgiving, but I would not. I went up there for Christmas before with just my grandma, my mom was sick and I was miserable. They kept making racist and homophobic jokes that were just downright disgusting. And after that I was never comfortable with going over there. So seeing that my cousin posted that picture and I explained it to my mom and she said that she would not be going up there evil because that is just sick for them to do. My mom tried to explain civily to my grandma as to why we would no longer be going up there. My grandma was upset but we thought she would understand. Today in the car when my mom brought up something about Thanksgiving, asking about these turkey thighs my grandma had in the freezer my grandma goes, "If you could set aside your differences we could just be a family." My mom has never liked family gathering, my great aunts would steal things of my mother's and give them to their kids, their kids would ruin my mom's toys, and later on in life they would just treat her like an outcast! I came along and things got even worse. I was the odd cousin. I wore black, I like rock music, I am not Christian. And so many times family members have called me a "devil worshipper." So, why should I go up to a house of a person who is homophobic and racist? Why should I go into their home and eat their food if we just don't get along? No, I cannot set aside our differences. I'm pansexual! If they are homophobic then they have one more reason to hate ME other than not being Christian and dating Mexicans. So that really hurt my mom when my grandma said that and I feel bad for my mom because I know and she knows that now my grandma, aunt, and uncle are all going to be talking about this and we have no idea what is going to happen up north. I really fear for what is going to happen up north with just those 3 because my family being racist, my aunt is Filipino. They always put it off because she is married to my uncle, but over the years they have become more bigoted and I really do not want them to insult her and be terrible towards her. I never liked my extended family, I knew they never liked me. I don't considered them family, they are just people I am unfornately related to who have bad mouthed me since I could talk and have hurt my mother since she was a child. So we can never set aside our differences. Why should I set aside my beliefs when I know they won't with theirs?
7 people like this
8 responses
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
21 Nov 18
I never liked a lot family gathering, but I participated until my mother was alive. From now on we will be my husband and I alone during the Holidays. As they say "better to be alone than in bad company". Do not go there, they will ruin your day.
• Peoria, Arizona
21 Nov 18
I love family gatherings when I went to them with my dad's family. that is just a loud family who are fun and not a lot of bickering except for a few people. My mom's family has always been terrible and they became even worse after my great grandma passed. That was really when the family diverged in their own corners and showed their true colors which is very unfortunate because my great grandparents were not like these, they were not racist or hateful and to see their children and grandchildren and now their great grandchildren are like this really sheds a poor light on their legacy.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
22 Nov 18
@DesirousDreamer This happens in many family and it is very sad. When the grandparents, or great grandparents die, the other members show their real identity that is not always pleasant.
• Peoria, Arizona
26 Nov 18
@LadyDuck Yeah, that is true. Makes me sad because they are their legacy and they are just torching it.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65282)
• Serbia
21 Nov 18
Sometimes our family does not understand us or understand us, and it's very difficult to deal with it.
• Peoria, Arizona
26 Nov 18
I have had to deal with it my entire life because I have always been the odd cousin.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65282)
• Serbia
26 Nov 18
@DesirousDreamer I understand
@AmbiePam (85487)
• United States
22 Nov 18
If they won't behave themselves who could blame you for not wanting to expose yourself to that.
• Peoria, Arizona
26 Nov 18
Exactly. Their values do not match my morals, I don't need to bother with their ways.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Nov 18
Tell them you have other plans and make some.
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Nov 18
@DesirousDreamer .....Yes, I guess so. Lies never make me feel right. Glad you didn't have to go.
• Peoria, Arizona
21 Nov 18
We told my grandma to just tell them we were not showing, she wanted to come up with a lie that we were sick. I didn't like that, but whatever makes my grandma more comfortable.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
22 Nov 18
No one should have to set aside what they believe. Many of us have made a "family" of those not related to us and have left the others behind. Life is so fleeting-enjoy the ones you love and leave the racists out of the picture. Maybe you could invite those who are not treated well to visit you on a separate occasion and enjoy their company?
• Peoria, Arizona
26 Nov 18
We don't have space to occupy company. My mom and I would just rather spend time on our own anyway haha
1 person likes this
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
20 Nov 18
This is when being three thousand miles away from family comes in handy.
• Peoria, Arizona
21 Nov 18
Absolutely. I'm sure my family from Guam has been thinking the same things while they have been visiting. It was the whole reason why my Uncle moved there was to get away from this family and I don't blame him.
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
21 Nov 18
@DesirousDreamer I don't blame him either. Idont regret living this far away rom my family, ever,
@yukimori (10144)
• United States
20 Nov 18
So basically her whole thing boils down to "lie flatter, be a good little doormat, and let's put on appearances for the sake of faaaaaaamily." I'm glad you realize how wrong your grandmother is, and gladder still that your mom is supporting you. These aren't differences that can be set aside, because their beliefs are rooted in intolerance and hate. They're very similar to the reasons that I don't have contact with my egg donor and her husband. You can set aside the differences all you want, but it's still somehow going to come up, and if you engage or defend yourself you're somehow in the wrong regardless of what actually happens. No thanks. Family should treat you better than random strangers off the street do. When they don't, it's a them problem, not a you problem.
• Peoria, Arizona
21 Nov 18
My grandma is very quiet and reserved. She went into adult life and became the talk of the family just because she had a dark past with her marriage and such so she just stays quiet and is in denial that anything happens. But my mom and I are very open-minded and can be very mouthy when it comes to something we are passionate about. I wish my grandma realized it isn't the differences of liking one football team over the other but it is literally the differences of being a good person and being a bad person and me being an open minded person I don't need to be around that filth since I know they will never change unfortunately.
1 person likes this
@stapllotik (1933)
• India
21 Nov 18
Always follow your intution. Rest you are able.
• Peoria, Arizona
21 Nov 18
There was a quote saying that a decision is never difficult to make when you know where your beliefs are.
1 person likes this