I’m considered by most who know me to be a very positive
person. I go out of my way to say something nice and true to the people in my
life everyday. It’s a trick my grandfather taught me. “Make someone’s day just
a little bit better for having come into contact with you.” It’s really simple
and could make all the difference in the world. When it comes down to answering
the question, “How was your day?”
“Well, John told me that I was having a good hair day. What
a jerk!”
See? The world just doesn’t work that way.
That said, it’s time I bring up the subject of tolerance.
It’s crummy verbiage. When someone, for whatever reason, clad with a beaming
sanctimonious smile, offers the olive branch of tolerance, you should smack
them in the face with the broad side of a rubber spatula. I’m referring in this
instance to your lifestyle. Lifestyle, I realize, is painting with a very broad
brush, but I’m trying to be inclusive. If
someone tolerates your lifestyle, it says that their opinion on the subject
actually means something. In this case, I’m referring to organizations or
communities looking down their noses at you for whatever reason.
Tolerance is a word of condescension. Religious
organizations and political parties use it in the sense of “I will permit you do whatever it is that you
do but only because I am the bigger person, but it none-the-less annoys me. Sarah
Palin is only barely tolerant of gays even existing. Michelle
Bachmann espouses that we have religious tolerance in this country, and she’s
ok with that. Well thanks ladies, it’s mighty white of you to smile through
gritted teeth and allow us to breathe the same air as you. Also, it’s a word
of noncommittal mediocrity, like a hole in your sock is tolerated. You've already left the house and there's nothing you can do about it (Thanks
Beck.). Tolerance is trying to be ok
with something (kinda).
To quote Yoda, “Do or do not. There is no try.”
Tolerance is like choosing to drink lukewarm milk at the
beach because the group you’re with is keen on it. Sure, you’re dying of thirst
and this keeps you from completely dehydrating, but for Christ’s sake, order a
margarita already.
Sarah reports that she’s tolerant of adults choosing the
partners that they deem appropriate for them. Um, thank you? As far as any
relationship is concerned, unless you are personally in it, you’re opinion
about it is irrelevant. You’re not a participant in this relationship, so…you
can eat a booger.
As far as religious tolerance is concerned, your relationship
with whatever deity you serve, or lack there of, is entirely your business. No
one can come between you and your faith unless you let them. Anyone who says
they will or will not tolerate you because of their religion is someone who is
begging to be introduced to your spatula.
That’s their faith that
they’re trying to align you with, and if you bend to it, then you’re opening
the door to bending on the next whim and fancy that their religion beckons…and
the next one…and the next one. Tolerance is a word you should be insulted by.
It is a privilege to be in someone's life. It truly is. Conversely, it is an equal privilege to be
in mine. Those who do not respect that relationship need not be there.
Tolerance is a word I despise. Do not dare condescend to tolerate me because I
absolutely will not tolerate you doing so.
Celebrate me. I will raise a glass to you.
You can shove your tolerance.
