A bit of background: I was adopted as an infant. I'm black; my adoptive family (who I really just refer to as my family) are white aside from some biracial cousins. My FI is white and so is all of his family.
My FMIL has always been a bit distant to me. But she's a bit chilly to my FI as well; he says that's just who she is. It hasn't been a big deal, since she lives nowhere near us. But she's come to visit us for a week (her idea - she wanted to see where we are with wedding planning) and I'm picking up on a really unsettling vibe.
My FI proposed using his paternal late grandmother's ring, which his father gave him for the proposal (FMIL and FFIL are divorced; I get along great with FFIL). FMIL made a comment about how it was good he hadn't asked for her mother's ring, since her mother wouldn't have wanted it to go to someone like me. Okay, ouch, but she didn't say she shared that opinion so I let it go. Then, I heard her laughing on the phone with someone about how she's going to have to give her future grandchildren Oreos and take them to the zoo to see the zebras. I asked my FI to talk to her, and he said that she said she was sorry and she hadn't realized how it would sound.
But today, when we were talking about dresses, I showed her one that I really like from the Alfred Angelo Disney collection - one of the Cinderellas. And she immediately pointed to the Tiana dress, worn by a black model, and asked if I didn't think that would be more appropriate with my hair (which I wear in dreads).
I cannot wait until this woman leaves. I am so glad she and FI aren't close, since the less I have to do with her the happier I will be. FI feels awful about all of this and keeps saying that she's never made a comment about my race to him and that maybe if I spend more time with her she'll come around. But I don't want to spend special, getting over your racism time with her. I just want her to go away.
Re: Vent: I think my FMIL is a racist
You can and should also stand up for yourself when she says those things to you: "FMIL, I don't know why you feel the need to make these kinds of comments to me, but I'm not okay with them. Please don't do it again. I don't find them to be funny, clever, original, or appropriate."
Honestly, I'd put wedding planning on hold while you get this sorted out. Counseling, with or without your FI, might be helpful.
Oh my god. She sounds incredibly ignorant, and that's the most generous and way to describe her.
Thank goodness she doesn't live nearby or interact with you and you FI regularly. I hope she's gone soon.
To the bolded: don't. It's not your job to be an ambassador of your race. She needs to educate herself, and your FI should be having those conversations or giving her the right resources.
Our society has come a long way but we aren't "there" yet. FMIL isn't the last person who will make racist comments to/about you.
That said, your FI needs to get used to defending you and your relationship. He can start with his mom and call her out every single time she says something ignorant.
And he should really have a convo with her about the future. Because, if I were you, no way in hell would I send my biracial kids to racist grandma's house... Perhaps she doesn't understand that her actions have consequences.
My daughter dated a man of African-American ancestry, and she had a fit. The "n" word was used. I told her that I had some extra white sheets, and I would cut some holes in one and she could join the Klan.
Daughter finally married a man of Chinese-American heritage. Thank God, Mother didn't come to the wedding. They did meet two years later, but she didn't say much to him. (Thank goodness!)
Mom died two years ago, and nobody cried at her funeral. There is an old saying that you reap what you sow.
I have a gorgeous grandson, and I am very pleased that he never knew his great-grandmother. You can't change people who are this ignorant. Just hold your head up, and know that if she continues this behavior, she probably won't get to see her grandchildren very often. I'll bet that your FI is humiliated when she talks racist trash.
I think you and FI need to have a long, serious discussion about dealing with his mother, and that discussion should NOT include what you can do to change her mind about people of different races. That isn't your job. Get a counselor involved if you have to, as others have suggested. This should be prioritized over any wedding planning.
Then I'd say FMIL needs an ultimatum from her son. If she's not more respectful, she won't be seeing him very often and certainly not your future children. Then of course, you guys will need to follow through on that if she doesn't change her ways.
I get that the world has changed a lot in the past few decades and some have not kept up with the times. But anyone who would make fun of their own future grandchildren like that shouldn't be allowed near them.
Good luck to you in your wedding planning! Try to enjoy the journey as best you can!
ETA: Sorry, I hadn't seen your update when I wrote my post. I'm glad your fiance stood up to her and that she's leaving early. Disgusting.
If she continues her behavior in your presence, you and your FI will have to set up boundaries. You will need to protect any future children you have from her.
The ideal outcome would be for her to change her behavior. It could happen. Good luck!