Tolerance is associated with respect.
The dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) defines tolerance as respect for the thoughts and actions of others when they are opposite or different from one's own.
The concept originates from the Latin tolerare ( to endure ) and refers to the level of acceptance or approval of that which is contrary to our morals . In other words, it is the attitude we adopt when we encounter something that is different from our values.
Suppose a person is a vegetarian : he does not eat meat because he believes that animals have the right to live in peace and should not be slaughtered to become food for humans. When meeting a person who eats meat every day, the vegetarian will be tolerant if he does not condemn the carnivore's decision, even though he does not share it.
The limits of tolerance
It is important to note that tolerance is not synonymous with indifference . In other words, not paying attention to or, directly, denying the values that others defend is not a tolerant attitude. Tolerance implies, first of all, respect , and in the best of cases, understanding.
It should be noted that, although tolerance encourages respecting and understanding the values of others, it does not mean accepting those that trample on the rights of others. If a person firmly defends racial supremacy and seeks the extermination of those who are different, this in no way means that his position should be tolerated.
To live in harmony, tolerance is essential.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is an American movement that fights especially against the suicide of young homosexuals and transsexuals due to discrimination and attacks, the result of intolerance . It was founded by the writer James Lecesne, the director Peggy Rajski and the producer Randy Stone, creators of a short film entitled Trevor , winner of an Oscar in 1994. The story deals with the life of a teenager who, after being rejected by his friends when he comes out of the closet , tries to take his own life.
The makers of the short understood that the plot represented the reality of many people and, upon discovering that there was no telephone support line, they decided to dedicate their efforts to forming an organization that would promote the acceptance of lesbians, gays , bisexuals, transsexuals and young people in general, who were going through difficult periods of introspection. Its main objective is to help overcome crises and prevent suicide.
The Trevor Project also offers online support via a chat. It is worth mentioning that it was the first service of its kind in the United States and that it offers its users complete confidentiality. In addition, international stars such as Daniel Radcliffe, actor of Harry Potter, have publicly supported it. Sadly, despite the efforts of groups like this one, the suicide rate due to abuse and rejection is growing every day .
Resignation and tolerance
Human beings are the only ones capable of attacking our species and the rest of living beings; we display a worrying level of violence , and for no apparent reason. But it is even more striking that there are also people who fight for peace, for acceptance, for animal rights , who try to resolve the errors of the opposite extreme. How can we trust a species that presents such duality?
If someone reaches the point of despising another person for thinking differently, of throwing their children out of their home for being homosexual, of killing people for ideological differences, can they really change, reconsider and begin to accept diversity? Tolerance is a fragile and thin veil , and it often reveals for a moment the true essence of those who claim to embrace it; in a moment of tension, someone uses an adjective like "Jew" or "black" to insult another person, and then it is shown that the change had only been apparent and that there is still much work to be done.