The International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance day declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. Intolerance is not only represented by blatant acts of exclusion or violence. Casual acts of intolerance can be even more harmful in the long-term. These are known as micro-aggressions and are often the most difficult to root out. Here are some of the hidden dangers of intolerance.
Most conversations about tolerance are focused on diversity. It’s important that all people be able to co-exist peacefully alongside people who are very different from themselves. This means race, class, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, citizenship status, language, and more. But it’s not always easy to practice tolerance if you grew up as a kid in a community surrounded by people just like you.
It takes practice to learn how to be tolerant and inclusive. Everyone can be more inclusive, so it’s critical that everyone commit to practicing tolerance no matter how progressive or forward-thinking they feel on the inside. By reading books and getting to know other cultures, anyone can expand their mind and practice tolerance.
A key component of tolerance is not making assumptions about others based on external appearances. For instance, you shouldn’t assume that someone wearing a hijab is experiencing oppression due to her religion. Similarly, you shouldn’t assume that someone in a revealing bikini is air-headed or shallow.
The hidden dangers of intolerance are many. When we don’t listen to people who think differently from us, we stop the flow of discussion. It’s important that we be able to speak our minds and evaluate ideas against other philosophies. However, tolerance does not mean that you should allow people to stomp all over your humanity. Tolerance is about inclusion and kindness based on the belief that differences in lifestyle should not result in different treatment.
Take a moment today, on the International Day for Tolerance, to examine your own heart. Find ways that you could be practicing more tolerance and make a commitment to growing better. Make sure you’re talking about your journey with friends and family so that everyone can benefit from your personal growth.