Below you will find an article in our town's local college newspaper, and then my response to it. I was actually impressed that they published my response to the article. The first article is from "The Penn," the newspaper and then following is my response to it.
Tolerate and be tolerated
Posted: 9/15/06
Your mom or dad has probably already told you: If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
The GLBT forum Wednesday night brought up a lot of ideas, some of them focusing on intolerance. IUP may not have the most diverse of student populations, but that's no excuse to single-out or exclude anyone.
Tolerance doesn't mean you have to march with Pride in the homecoming parade or hug every minority student on campus. It means being sensitive, being aware and being compassionate.
Tolerance starts with seeing people as people. Everyone walking around in the Oak Grove or eating dinner in the HUB has something in common with everyone else. Perhaps you and that random guy are huge "Family Guy" fans. Maybe you both love thin crust pizza.
The next time you think about doing something intolerant - like shouting a slur, vandalizing someone's property or even harboring preconceived negative thoughts about someone - remember that he or she is a person, just like you.
Imagine what it would be like if people criticized you for something you couldn't help. What if people harassed you for being tall or having brown eyes? What if people assumed that because you were right-handed that you acted a certain way? It wouldn't be fair or kind.
You don't have to love everyone, but you don't have to hate anyone, either. If you disagree with the way someone acts or dresses, keep it to yourself. That person isn't going to change, especially not because someone else wants them to.
There's no excuse for prejudice in Indiana and no reason for disrespect. Intolerance is more than rude - it's just plain mean.
© Copyright 2006 The Penn
http://www.thepenn.org/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=c43640a1-0153-4477-9675-dad580405660
Here is my response to the article.
Tolerance more complicated than blind acceptance
Posted: 9/23/06
As I read the Penn Editorial, "Tolerate and be tolerated," I felt compelled to respond as the definition and examples used are misguided and utilize a false philosophical notion. You are trying to compare the idea of eye color and your dominate hand, which are ingrained in your genetic make-up from conception with being GLBT, which is not in the genetic makeup. This has been proven time and again by science. Making such a comparison is propagating false information and trying to have someone form your opinion regarding an issue. It is a fact that many people in the GLBT have chosen to leave the lifestyle and live completely heterosexual lives. Any real research would demonstrate this fact.
Another misguided premise is your definition of tolerance itself. Merriam-Webster defines the type of tolerance you are talking about as "a: sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own b: the act of allowing something." It does not say one has to accept it, nor does it say one should not try to convince another to change their thoughts about something through meaningful and respectful dialogue. To use the editor's line of questioning: Would not someone try to talk their best friend out of using heroine if they had a problem with using the drug and it was killing them? What if someone believed that living the lifestyle of GLBT was just as dangerous to their friends and believed by telling them in a respectful manner that they are helping them? Would one be seen as all right while the other is seen as intolerant? By the editorial summary, we should stop all alcohol and drug treatment centers because those people will not change, either, as there is more scientific evidence that alcoholism can be passed generation to generation then there is that someone is born GLBT.
Just about every major religion witnesses because they believe people can change. Muslims and Christians in particular believe that people are capable of change from any practice they deem as sinful or unholy. By your definition you are not being tolerant of other faiths' intolerance toward GLBT. Those religions should demonstrate love, but they should not have to accept it as a healthy lifestyle, nor should they be silenced in presenting their opinion in a loving manner, hoping to change the other's opinion. Just as the editor is trying to do in his/her editorial.
I can love my brother or sister and not agree with their lifestyle. I can love my best friend and believe that his/her drug use is wrong. I can love my wife or husband and believe that their overeating is going to kill them. I can also love the people in GLBT and still disagree with their lifestyle. I believe in all those instances it would be alright to offer help in changing in a loving and respectful manner, and let them decide whether to accept it or not.
Alan Seymour
© Copyright 2006 The Penn
http://www.thepenn.org/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticlePrinterFriendly&uStory_id=fd2d1f53-81a5-4a0f-b6a5-30881c68f32a
No comments:
Post a Comment