Disdain for Intolerance

The one thing that two sides of an argument have in common is intolerance. You observe this in the recent obsession with the Presidential race, not only in televised debates, but among borderline awkward family discussions and light-hearted conversations with friends. The greater the knowledge a person attains, the more intolerant they become towards other viewpoints... which is kind of absurd, isn't it? The more we know, the less accepting we become. The more educated, the more stubborn.

Those who are at the forefront of a cause are so emotionally intertwined that they are rendered incapable of understanding the opponent. What results is intolerance: an "unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect [contrary] opinions or beliefs." It's a nasty word. It is inflexible, rigid. It is hostile towards the target. It has no issue with eradicating its enemy. It sees no value in the competition. Intolerance too hastily results in hate.

So how do we stay steadfast to our beliefs while still retaining our humanity, our goodness? How do we make ourselves heard while still showing love? The moment that we shift to intolerance, we become no better, no less despicable than our counterparts.

I only use politics as an example because it is readily available, but intolerance is everywhere. Intolerance is the basis of wars, deaths, genocide, broken families, smoldering bridges, and cyclical hurt. I think a fundamental human right is being entitled to an opinion. Not every opinion is just, morally acceptable, or a desired social norm -- but every opinion is valid in its existence. Intolerance is constructed when we unilaterally deny someone the immovable human right to have an opinion.

Recognizing that everyone is afforded an opinion is the beginning to learning how to stand for principles while not hating others who also dutifully stand by theirs. We must be able to conserve dignity as we advocate passionately. Martin Luther King Jr. has become ubiquitous in portraying peaceful fighting that I hesitate to quote him -- in case we have become numb -- but his words are too prudent to not repeat: "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." (Martin Luther King Jr., 1967. "Where Do We Go From Here?")