Comments on Eulogy for Tolerance

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Gome -
I agree. We have come a long way. And I wouldn't want to go backwards. But I figured it was time to get people to start thinking about it again - hence my short piece. Thanks for stopping by.

posted by sannhet on June 27, 2005 at 12:06 PM | link to this | reply

Painter -
I'm very much the optomist, so I agree with you. I just wrote this little piece to get people to think.

posted by sannhet on June 27, 2005 at 12:04 PM | link to this | reply

Metta -
I'm hoping she's not dead. Maybe it is just a dream.

posted by sannhet on June 27, 2005 at 12:02 PM | link to this | reply

donald -
Yes, let's hope it is 2012; that will give her (and us) some time.

posted by sannhet on June 27, 2005 at 12:01 PM | link to this | reply

Avant -
I agree that it is there, if we choose it to be. And I had never thought of MLK in that way. Interesting. . .

posted by sannhet on June 27, 2005 at 12:00 PM | link to this | reply

sannhet - I can't help but feel that a post like this emphasizes people's
penchant of not appreciating or fully realizing what we have in the here and now. Regardless of our feelings that so much more can be done, the truth is that we live in the most enlightened time, by comparison and in regards to tolerance than at any other point in history. I defy anyone to refute this last point, name just one period in mankind's history where our species was as aware of, and willing to make concessions to, the differences amongst people.  This doesn't by any means suggest that there isn't a long, long way to go but is more a statement of not recognizing how far we have travelled.  

posted by gomedome on June 27, 2005 at 10:29 AM | link to this | reply

problem is

tolerance has always had a hard go of it.

Yeshua preached it -- but this was a dim spark of light in a world darkened by intolerance.

yet it was a spark -- like lightning that eventually lights up the entire sky

it takes time

tolerance doesn't survive alone

she has to be composed of tolerant minds, tolerant thoughts, and tolerant teaching.

like lightning has a spark in one place, then lights the entire sky, so tolerance also spreads. 

it has persisted and grown in the face of so much intolerance

it just has not received government recognition -- it is the public appearance of government's intolerance in the name of religion that has made it seem as though tolerance has died.

but look at the common people -- see integrated neighborhoods where just a few decades ago, such diversity would have been impossible.

see children of all races playing together, without bias, racism, or intolerance.

see so much acceptance

a lot of this perception of the demise of tolerance is where new groups surface to challenge the intolerance and ignorance of the past, and resistance is great.  again, it is government sponsored opposition that give the appearance of the death of tolerance.

here, in St. Louis, tolerance is growing.  neighborhoods are racially mixed, without the fear of the past, gay pride parades have the mayor as grand marshall and the police and fire chiefs joining the parade, with a new respect being given.

immigrants are accepted pretty much wholeheartedly.

etc.

rumors of tolerance's demise are greatly exaggerated

posted by Xeno-x on June 27, 2005 at 9:14 AM | link to this | reply

Yes, Donald, as I understand it, the Kali Yuga should be ending soon...  I think I will run and put on my Krishna Das - "Greatest Hits of the Kali Yuga" - before they become "old news" 

Good post, Sannhet.  But I think I spied tolerance just the other day, looking lovely as ever - I think she's keeping a low profile and is keeping well disguised... we will see her again soon.

posted by Metta on June 25, 2005 at 9:44 AM | link to this | reply

As you undoubtedly know, the Kali Yuga, the...
present age of darkness which reputedly began in 3102 BC, will allegedly end in 428,899 AD. That should give Tolerance a rather nice little vacation should she decide to return once the age of darkness has departed. However, I've read that recent Mayan and Tibetan projections place the end of the Kali Yuga as early as 2012. I like this spin because it would give Tolerance just enough time to refresh herself offstage and return to us in full panoply!

posted by donaldoji on June 24, 2005 at 9:36 PM | link to this | reply

it's there if we choose it to be
people like to argue. it's how their egos are strengthened. it's been a long and painful lesson for me to learn, but being here on blogit has helped me to realize it. by the way, i think MLK's presence in the 60's was otherworldly, despite what 'flaws' people kept digging up on him. he had the fortitude and strength of character to stand up to bigotry without opposition.

posted by avant-garde on June 24, 2005 at 3:24 PM | link to this | reply