Like the title says, what follows is a real conversation between my mother and me. (that’s proper english right? My brain is failing me right now..)
I got something lighthearted lined up for next week (if it goes right) so we’ll be in a diff frame of mind then.
Monday evening, I ask moms to come and watch an episode of Big Bang Theory. “Shake off Monday. You been really salty lately, like someone stole yo bike.”
“Nick! I don’t want to get engrossed. I got things to do (like be salty) and I been trying to talk to you since Friday.”
I wish I could re-enact the face I gave her. She always does this.
”Did I know you were trying to talk to me since Friday? So let’s get it, what’d you want to discuss?”
”Never mind. You’re always writing a post or something (o_v)”
“I post two days out the whole week, don’t try it. And stop trying to stall, let’s go, what did you want to talk about?”
Mom starts to relay some post notes she saw written on the back of an envelope. It was in reference to her and she wanted some clarification.
Backstory: My mom votes Republican. And I was trying to figure out the right time to tell her that her choice blows my mind.
(that’s all the back story you need)
”What did you mean by that?”
”Well, you voting Republican is like a slap in my face. I’m an immigrant. You’d rather focus on issues that have nothing to do with you (i.e. abortion) and the issue that hits closest to home is the one you couldn’t give two farts about. How do you justify that? You’re so concerned bout everyone else and the party that you claim loyalty to doesn’t want me here. Did you know that mom? It’s like a slap in my face”
”well, umm, uhh. So you were gonna WRITE ABOUT IT?! For the whole world to see!? (This is what she’s focused on)
”What “whole world? You’re my mom and you don’t even read my blog! On a great day I get 20-something comments and 1/2 are mine! Get outta here!”
”Well, umm, uhh. So what would you prefer?”
*sigh* “I would prefer that you put your energy championing a cause that actually affects you. Did you know that Obama had a DREAM Act he was trying to pass that would’ve taken care of my situation?”
”Umm, no. I never knew about that.”
”Lies, fallacies, and deceit. I told you before the last election. You brushed it off and acted like I said, “I feel like chicken tonight, like chicken tonight. Don’t try it.”
“Well, how many debates did I see? Maybe a few.”
(They were all on FoxNews.)
”Well, I just want a little clarification on why you feel that Republican is the way to vote. You know they don’t care about you, yet you support them. It’s like you purposely didn’t vote for Obama because you were so busy trying to prove ‘he’s not gonna get my vote just because he’s black.’”
My mom then starts huffing and puffing which happens when she has no answer. I told her I just needed her to stand behind her decision. Don’t vote Republican “just because” and then when you’re questioned, you can’t defend your choice.
”Well, I didn’t know he was trying to pass a law that would help immigrants.”
”Even if you didn’t hear it mentioned, why wouldn’t you research it for yourself instead of swallowing the kool-aid that Limbaugh gave you? Why wouldn’t you search for yourself so you were informed? KNOWING that this is a topic that means the most to you? Not OTHER people and what they can do with their own bodies.”
#GameBlouses
She tells me that if she had known about Obama’s Dream Act, she would’ve voted Democratic in the last election. I call shenanigans of the finest sort.
She knows the truth...
I feel like the ONE VOICE that can count on my behalf doesn’t give two damns. It’s offensive and it hurts. And the fact that she hasn’t thought of this before means I really wanna reach out and shake her one good time. The one person that was supposed to look out for me failed me on several occasions.
If I told you our relationship is straiiiiiiiiiiined, it would be an understatement. She felt the heat on this debate, so she tried to withdraw, but I kept reelin her back.
”Well, I’ll just try to be more informed and leave the babies alone.”
*sigh*.. If she thinks this is really about babies, we’ve gotta go deeper into the rabbit hole than I thought. But I couldn’t fight that battle that night.
I’m so exhausted.
People that don’t think for themselves exhaust me. I love my mom, but she makes me wanna kick something.
Peace and Love, Nick
oh Nickerz. it hurts my soul that you and your mom have such a strained relationship. esp as it revolves around your immigration situation. i just pray she sees the light and takes more care about which issues she stands for an against politically. and i pray that YOUR situation gets resolved, and resolved favorably.
love you sis **big hugs**
Thank you Gemmikins!! There’s so many conspiracy theories being offered up by family it’s not funny..
My mom isn’t the most rational thinker so I guess I had to slap some sense into her.. The real issue hasn’t even been broached, but one battle at a time.. I just keep hoping that my life can get in gear sometime soon.. Some relationships need space to flourish..
Wow… Just wow.
Sorry to hear about the domestic situation. I can only imagine how hard that is to deal with. How can anyone not know about the immigration debates when the GOP brings it up every two years?
”Well, I’ll just try to be more informed and leave the babies alone.”
If I could afford it I would erect a billboard next to I-26 that says “It’s not about the babies-It’s about control of the cooch…”
I do however feel like chicken tonight though.
My mother does major in “I don’t hear it, I’m not listening.” I’d rather believe she didn’t know rather than her knowing and STILL voting Republican in the ’08 election.. That would hurt my feelings beyond all hope..
Her short sightedness hurts me.. I’d like to think my mom is smarter than this..
and I wasn’t sure anyone was gonna remember that chicken commercial.. you made me not feel so old.. Lol
it really isn’t about the babies.. AT ALL!! Suppose there was a group that banned christianity.. suppose christianity was unconstitutional.. She’d be crying separation of church and state, I’m sure…
I’m so exhausted.. this conversation with my mom exhausts me..
See, now I want Chicken Tonight.
And your mom. . she drains ME!! And sadly, some Republicans (and Dems and Independents and a lot of voters, period) can’t be bothered to do even a tiny bit of research.
try living with her.. GIRL, she’s exhausting..
It just goes to show you how sometimes folks can focus on one particular issue and that issue (alone) becomes the deciding factor on whom they choose to put in the White House..its scary
Lawd this hurts my heart. In politics, parents and children are expected to disagree given the difference in generations (me and my mom, don’t disagree by the way… she’s actually more liberal than even my sister.) but the fact that this involves such a personal component is a different angle.
It’s one thing to be super passionate about a stance, but it’s another when that stance can hurt someone you love. I truly hope this act is passed for you, Nickster. Truly.
Thanks Cheeks.. Unfortunately, this act needed to be passed when Obama first got in office.. The reason why it wasn’t passed is because people wanted an age limit on it.. At first there was none, then it was 35, now the age limit is 30 yrs old.. So even if it is passed, it won’t help me.. Considering my mother doesn’t research anything, I’m not telling her that part.. There’s principalities in this THANG SMOKEY!!
She’s too short sighted for my liking..