I don't think that all that many people actually changed their minds. Rather, those who grew up after the civil rights movement weren't indoctrinated into racism and thus most are not racist. I have yet to meet anyone who in any way indicated a problem with me marrying outside my race. (I have encountered a few online.) She, however, has had multiple incidents of criticism for marrying outside hers.

As for "retard" it's always been an insult within my life. Xitter has become the domain of assholes, it's not surprising you see it a lot more than you used to.