My father was also a Republican, and one of the best people I've ever known. He owned a business that employed mostly Mexican-Americans. All the higher level jobs were held by Anglos; it never occurred to him to promote the Chicanos. He was a racist. He was a kind, fun, curious person, one who might be, if he was alive today, able to discover his own racism, and change it. I like to think so.
My father was also a Republican, and one of the best people I've ever known. He owned a business that employed mostly Mexican-Americans. All the higher level jobs were held by Anglos; it never occurred to him to promote the Chicanos. He was a racist. He was a kind, fun, curious person, one who might be, if he was alive today, able to discover his own racism, and change it. I like to think so.