Acceptance vs. Tolerance
I'm not a confrontational person. I prefer to step back and analyze the situation, and just observe instead of involving myself. But once in a while I feel the need to speak out and have my say. Today it's about the words acceptance and tolerance and how they're used towards people.
Let's start with the definitions, shall we?
ac·cept·ance
the act of taking or receiving something offered.
favorable reception; approval; favor.
tol·er·ance
a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.
I have an issue with these definitions. A permissive attitude (tolerance) towards someone of a different race is not the same as accepting that person. I shouldn't have to approve anything that makes a person a person or give my permission for a person to be who they want to be. I hope that makes sense, because I'm going to be basing my rant from that.
My main issue is: Who is anyone to brand themselves worthy enough to give their permission to anyone else? Why should I need anyone's permission to be who I am? Why should I be relieved that anyone tolerates my personal beliefs? This should be common sense. This boils down to a mutual respect. If my personal beliefs don't affect you outright, then let me carry on with my life.
"Oh, you're interested in Hinduism? That's pretty great. I have no problems with that, you have my permission to carry on believing." This is how I see it. I might be alone on this, and if I am, please let me know your views, but I just don't see how people believe acceptance and tolerance is the same thing.
For example:
"I tolerate that Hindu."
"I accept that Hindu."
"I tolerate that homosexual."
"I accept that homosexual."
"I tolerate that Black person."
"I accept that Black person."
Now, obviously people won't come right out and say those phrases when they speak, but I just want to emphasize on the difference a simple word makes to the sentence. People throw around the word 'acceptance' and 'tolerance' without thinking of the effects. There is a huge difference to me.
And I wish more people could see it. I wish more people would work on accepting others for who they are and not just tolerating them because they're different. Let us put aside our presumptions and condescending views. Let's all take that step off the high horse, and let's just accept, or at the very least respect, one another for who we are.
Because at the end of the day, we're all the same. We're all humans, with feelings, dreams, emotions... we're brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers. We're all in the same boat. And that should be our point of view about it all.