The dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) define the tolerance As the respect for the thoughts and actions of third parties when they are opposite or different from their own.
The concept originates in Latin I will tolerate ("put up with" ) and refers to admission or approval level against what is contrary to our morals. It is, in other words, the attitude that we adopt when we find something that is different from our values.
Suppose a person is vegetarian : does not eat meat because he believes that animals have right to live in peace and should not be sacrificed to become food for human beings. When encountering a subject that eats meat every day, the vegetarian will be tolerant if he does not condemn the decision of the carnivore, although he does not behave.
It's important to put attention on tolerance is not synonymous with indifference. That is, not paying attention or, directly, denying the values defended by others is not a tolerant attitude. Tolerance implies, first of all, respect, and at best, understanding.
It should be noted that, although tolerance invites respect and understanding of the values of others, it does not imply accepting those that guarantee the rights of others. If a subject defends racial supremacy and seeks the extermination of those who are different, in no way does it mean that they have to tolerate their position.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is an American movement that fights especially against he suicide of young people homosexuals and transsexuals because of discrimination and attacks, product of intolerance. It was founded by writer James Lecesne, director Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone, creators of a short film entitled Trevor, winner of an Oscar in 1994. The story is about the life of a teenager who, after being rejected by his friends at leave the closet, try to take your life.
The filmmakers understood that the plot represented the reality of many people and, upon discovering that there was no support telephone line, they decided to dedicate their efforts to forming an organization that promoted the acceptance of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and young people in general, who are going through difficult periods of introspection. Its main objective is to help overcome crises and prevent suicide.
The Trevor Project also offers online assistance, through 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 absolute confidentiality. In addition, international stars such as Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter actor, have publicly supported him. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of groups like this, the suicide rate by abuse and rejection grows day by day.
When resignation wears tolerance
Human beings are the only ones capable of attacking our species and the rest of living beings; we display a level of violence worrisome, and for no apparent reason. But it is even more striking that there are also people who fight for peace, for acceptance, for the rights of animals, who try to solve the errors of the opposite extreme. How to trust a species that presents such duality?
If someone gets to the point of despising another for thinking differently, of throwing their children out of their home for being gay, of killing for differences ideologicalCan you really change, reconsider and start accepting diversity? Tolerance is a thin and fragile veil, and often discovers for a moment the true essence of who says to hug her; in a tense moment, 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 much work remains ahead.
