(11/5/2001)

What is tolerance?

by Harrison Reiser

What is tolerance? Tolerance is several different things. It's appreciating others for who they are, if they're exactly like you. It's appreciating yourself for who you are, not who you want to be. It's about letting others do what they want to do and listening to what they have to say.

That last one is the one people have the most problems with. That's the exact reason conflicts happen. Take the Civil War. It may have been one of the most complicated conflicts in the world. The reason of the War was that the South wanted to leave the US. The reason they wanted to leave is that the North wouldn't let the South have slavery. The reason that the South even had slavery is that they were intolerant. Because of slavery a huge war broke out.

Even though many people are intolerant, there are many tolerant people, too. For example, look at the Women's Right's Act. There is a saying: "The only thing tolerance cannot tolerate is intolerance." The women of America could not vote becase of the intolerance of the men. Of course they did not tolerate that, so they went out with their banners flying and marched all over until they finally got their rights, and when they did, most everyone was happy.

Tolerance is important everyday, too. How would you like to be the only one on the playground without a playmate? Stand up for others and yourself, and respect people's right to be themselves. And don't worry about your misktakes, but learn from them. In short, tolerance is important, whether at war or at home, at play or at work.

by Amanda Reiser

Tolerance is letting others be themselves and liking yourself for who you are. It also means not disliking someone just because of their looks, accents, religion, hobbies or because they are poor or rich.

People who are tolerant help others when they are in need, no matter who the person is. If someone new moves into their neighborhood or comes to their school, they will try to be friendly to them.

People who are intolerant judge others before they get to know them. They dislike or hate people that are different than them. When wars start, usually the country or group who starts it is intolerant and wants to have things their way or kill those who are different.

November 16 has been proclaimed the "International Day of Tolerance" by UNESCO. What can you do to learn to be more tolerant?