People deserve to be accepted, not 'tolerated'
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: Opinions

JOHN WEATHERFORD

http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2008/08/22/Opinions/People.Deserve.To.Be.Accepted.Not.tolerated-3401317.shtml

Wednesday, the "Our Take" section of the editorial page ran a piece titled "Religious Refuge" commenting on the work of a lesbian minister at a local church.

The opinion included the line, "The Red & Black editorial board commends [Rev.] DuBose for her brave efforts toward acceptance, or tolerance at the very least, in the local community."

While I can stand behind the call for acceptance and, in the editorial's final sentence, for respect and understanding, I have never understood tolerance as something remotely worth striving for. In fact, I am willing to state publicly that I am anti-tolerant.