Youve got problems, Ive got advice.
This advice isnt sugar-coatedin fact, its sugar-free, and may even be a little bitter.
Welcome to Tough Love.
This week we have a son who doesnt know how to deal with his fathers often-racist email chains.
I simply want to give you the tools you oughta enrich your damn lives.
If for whatever reason you dont like my advice, feel free tofile a formal complaint here.
Now then, lets get on with it.
With the exception of my brother, all of my family is of the brainwashed by Fox News ilk.
I am a giant bleeding heart liberal.
Were just very different people and Ive made my peace with that.
I keep my interaction with them on social media to a minimum in the name of keeping the peace.
Unfortunately, My uncle is also a pretty significant influence on my dad.
And while my relationship with my parents is lukewarm at best, I dont particularly want it to deteriorate.
Im sure hes the set in his ways key in.
Youre a little disappointed in your conservative, racist father.
Hes a little disappointed in his bleeding heart liberal son.
But that doesnt mean you cant still maintain a cordialas you put itrelationship with him.
You might even be able to mend things a bit too.Might.
First, stop firing back.
Dont take the bait.
Your responses are just feeding the fire, Not so Fortunate Son.
You do not owe your father any email fealty.
Dont just shoot off an angry email in response, though.
Give your request in person, or at least on the phone.
He needs to know youre serious about it and not just being a whiny snowflake.
Its time to be brave and stand up for yourself, kid.
He needs to know.
You must escape the political news tug of war!
Focus on what you like about your father, if anything, and go from there.
If that doesnt work, and he doesnt stop, block his emailsthen tell him you did.
You gotta do whats right for you and your happiness, but he still needs to know.
And this process shouldt be one final attack, a coup de graceno, youre bowing out.
Youre different peopleyouve made your peace with thatso let him think hes won and move on.
Dont poke the bear, let him eat, and move on to greener pastures.
Hopefully one where you and your dad can have a catch and focus on finding some less-racist middle ground.
