Other older people don't do it, so why should they?

I also think people should stop making excuses for certain older people when they make racist and sexist comments. 

The ones who make the most excuses for the racist and sexist older people are more likely to become racist and sexist older people themselves someday. 

And then people are going to say, "Oh, don't try to change them. They're too set in their ways. That's just how they are. Just move along and don't hang out with them too much if they say things that bother you."

And then one of them gets elected president. And does more damage.

Yuck.

Damage done by damaged people just to put on a show, a weak facade of fake toxic positivity.

Not sustainable. Not good enough for humanity. 

You should expect better.