Tolerance has been a multifaceted concept since the Enlightenment. But, regardless of its many forms, tolerance has also always had a positive effect as America (and the world) transitioned through major historical periods:
- Industrialization: as Industrialization grew, tolerance was required on both sides (by industrial producers and by market consumers). Given, there are still some environmental issues with big manufacturers today, but imagine if big business manufacturers hadn't kept an open-mind about the effects of certain forms of production on the environment. Regulation Laws would never have been passed. Conversely, if consumers hadn't kept an open-mind about the material benefits of industrialized manufacturers, then we wouldn't have the technology or accessibility that we enjoy today.
- Romanticism: this movement speaks for itself. Staying open-minded about how an individual can view themselves or any medium of artistic aesthetics is what made this clock tick. Respecting and appreciating the creative agencies of an individual (within the realms of the Constitution) is what drove the successful creation of cherished works of poetry, visual art, music, and prose literature.
- Nationalism: History tells an visceral story about the consequences of not having tolerance during the development of "Nationalism." WWI and WWII are the consequence of not keeping an open-mind to the rights and privileges of others (within the boundaries of a nation's legal and rational freedoms).
Bringing up what happened during the first world war when discussing lack of toleration is powerful. One issue you might (or might not) want to consider is the other side of toleration. For example, the civil war was fought because the south would not tolerate being pushed around. or the north fought because they would not tolerate slavery. How does that idea of toleration fit in? Or does it? or should it even?
ReplyDeleteIf you think to earlier periods, tolerance was proclaimed too in a sense and think of times when tolerance didn't occur. Have we come this far by being "tolerant"? I would be careful when you think of being tolerant and open minded. In my mind, there is a difference. I can be tolerant to a certain idea and be closed to it. Think of gay marriage for a sense. We are taught in the church to tolerate those who have those feelings, yet, we are not open minded when it comes to changing our ways. I guess I just don't know what your stance or change is. Do we need to be more tolerant?
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