What is Tolerance?

With today being Thanksgiving in the United States of America, many families are going to be gathering together to celebrate and eat. And when families are gathered it's almost guaranteed that there are going to be a difference in opinions about some hot button topics. This year those topics will probably include ISIS and other forms of terrorism, the Syrian refugees, the presence of racism and bigotry towards the LGBTQIA+ community, and maybe even a little bit about the debate over abortion. To say there is the potential to be awkward and uncomfortable is probably an understatement. But with it being what it is, I've been thinking about what it truly means to be tolerant.

This discussion over tolerance can be a difficult one to have. People on the right side of the spectrum complain about people becoming too "politically correct" and that the first amendment right of freedom of speech will go away. On the other hand people on the left complain that the world isn't tolerant enough. The problem with both sides is that they both exhibit habits of intolerance. Conservatives on the right believe the civil rights movements of now are encroaching on their religious freedom and are intolerant to people who don't have the same belief systems that they have. However, liberals on the left are the exact same way, except their intolerance is towards people who they deem to be intolerant and bigoted. At the present moment, it's hard to decide which side is worst. But I feel like the underlying problem of it all is in how both sides define tolerance.

To some tolerance is found in a person's actions or beliefs, or tolerance could just be the lack of discrimination. But I believe neither of these definitions can be applied to the idea of tolerance. I feel this way because I believe that tolerance is not an idea but is actually a way of living. True tolerance is the choice to learn more about people who are not like yourself. This is the case because it is impossible to be tolerant of all people and all beliefs. Everyone is born into and raised in a world that is full of prejudices. Even the most "politically correct" people could be intolerant. And I'll admit that I am also intolerant. Tolerance isn't easy. Throughout my life I have been intolerant towards multiple groups of people whether I was aware of it or not. However, what sets me apart from others is that I have learned more about what I am intolerant of. Through this gaining of knowledge I have realized my mistakes and am more aware of what I do. And although I do make mistakes and have other intolerances, my awareness of these intolerances helps me to become a more tolerant person. 

But if I'm going to be completely honest, tolerance and awareness is not enough. What society really needs is acceptance. Because just because someone is tolerant or aware doesn't mean they like what they are tolerant of aware of. What we need, in my opinion, is acceptance because nothing is going to truly change for the better without it.