Monday, April 23, 2012

Tolerance

I have been around for a while, and I have seen some sad situations. A doctor who is shunned by a town because he is a different colour, and children who tease others because of the slant to their eyes. Granted I grew up in a small town in the sixties and seventies, but my family chose that doctor, and he saved my sister's life. I befriended the girl with a different cast to her eyes, and she was my best friend. We set an example and many of the people finally followed.

Lately, I see a trend that disturbs me. A lack of tolerance for anyone different. Too many judge without knowing. They find fault without caring. They strike out without cause. In many ways, I see a move backwards in our society. Back to the ignorance and fearfulness I remember from my childhood. What is happening? Shouldn't these rifts be narrowing, healing, disappearing?

Shouldn't we be learning from the past? Shouldn't we be building a better future?

Let's begin to embrace what unites us, and appreciate the things that make others unique. Let's create a society that not only practices, but lives and breathes this matter of tolerance.

7 comments:

  1. I have just stopped by and read a few of your posts now. Enjoyed the sentiments expressed, and expressed well. But who are you? Can you put a bit, just a tiny bit, in your profile and make it viewable? I don't give out much information myself, but it does make for a closer knit group when you have some inkling who the other person is that you are conversing with... I had a clue when I saw your first post: "I know, I know, where have I been hiding?" It's okay to hide, I guess. But I do like to know who I'm following... as I am!

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    1. http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com....is where my A to Z, and all year posts are.

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    2. Donna, I am slowly getting my feet under me, and I am sure I will be adding a bit of a bio as time goes by. At this time, I am willing to share that I am the managing editor of a small literary magazine 'Shadows Express,' *Points to top of right hand sidebar* and the matriarchal figure of a rather large family. I am in my busy season with the next issue of the magazine, and finishing up this year's official home education journey. Of course, education never ends based on a calendar, but at least I don't have to document the summer session, nor prove standards are being met. I will be dropping by to check out your blog very soon.

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  2. I live in a small southern town. I see tolerance like never before. It makes me feel quite optimistic.

    Lucy

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    1. Lucy,

      I am so glad to hear that. It renews my badly battered faith in humanity. Maybe the areas I have been frequenting are just going through a bad time, but it is the worst that I have seen in years.

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  3. I wish more would learn from the past. Though I have found some surprising places that included tolerance. While known for being anti-gay, there are a fair number of open minded people in Utah. But I do see where you are coming from. It seems like we should be further than we are in society when it comes to still rejection others because they aren't like our selves.

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    1. What bothers me most is the backward movement. I have seen strides taken in equality, and now there appears to be a shift in the dynamics. Almost as if someone said, "Whoa, we have gone far enough," and they are pulling the progress back in.

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.