Why is the only main white character the abusive boyfriend?

But isn't the kindly school teacher, Mrs Mills, also white? Did you miss that?

That was your take-away after seeing this film? Elliot's father was also Caucasian. I think there was a theme of Elliot's mother making bad choices.

Maybe he's Latina, since people have started using the term white Hispanic and black Hispanic.

Just a character. Did not pick up on the race card.

you say you'll change the Constitution well, you know, we all want to change your Head

Well, Elliot never dated a white character but it would be too much a cliche for a latin angry violent deadbeat wouldn't it? Besides, everyone has their type and his mother (that actress gave a helluva performace, imo) gravitated towards the white & abusive type; maybe "trying to get it right" since that a**hole who impregnated her in HS only to fall into that cycle time & again. Remember, her mother also was abandoned so this behavior may go deeper than my pop psychology explanation.

Jamie Lee Curtis survived Halloween, a Fog, Prom Night and a Terror Train; now she can't poop. Poor girl.

I don't think it is a big deal to have ONE white abusive character. That said, I think there is some research to back up the idea it is okay to bash men in general on TV and in movies. Women and minorities are almost always victims etc. However, in TV comedies, men are usually clueless, saved by the ever brainy women. This stuff seems to be cyclical. Historically women had little power in Western cultures, save Queen Victoria. Now it is catch up, I guess.