I was about to comment on Ted M.'s comments, Kim C's affirmation of his comments, and Little Hawk's Amen, but after reading the last two posts, there doesn't seem to be much point to it. It's really a gigantic conspiracy by the ruling class that promotes prejudice? Wow. That's pretty far out I think.

As to Patrish's problem, if the folks she refers to are in their 70's, they have held their beliefs for a long time, and though you might be able to change their minds, I really doubt it. The fact that they accept your friend from Brazil is, I think, telling. I don't know, but maybe they haven't really been exposed to minorities on a one-on-one basis very much. Unless you feel a real need to champion the cause, it might be better in this instance to avoid the subject unless one of them brings it up. If they do, you can very nicely register your disagreement with them, and the ball is back in their court.

DougR