We are constantly bombarded with messages of tolerance.
Tolerance for other races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, etc.
I am all for this.
All the time. Every day.
Kindness, tolerance, and basic human decency are non-negotiable in my book.
However, there is a subset of these folks who drive me BANANAS -
These are the people who talk outta both sides of their mouth.
What does this mean?
It means that these people will, on one hand, preach tolerance and not judging a book by its cover, but then, in the same freaking breath, bash the shit out of someone, or a group of someones, because they hold different opinions/viewpoints.
Ummm –
Does.not.compute!
You either are, or are not, tolerant of the differences that make us who we are.
PERIOD!
**Don’t get your panties all in a bunch – I am 100% for judging the fuck out of people who believe that shit like sex with kids is ok, or selling people for money is NBD. I’m not a total monster – JFC.**
Here is an example:
Karen is your run of the mill American woman.
Karen unabashedly believes in, and/or supports:
-BLM
-LGBTQ+
-Immigration
-Religious freedom
-Anti-Death penalty
However, Karen also holds these beliefs/feelings as well:
*People on Public Assistance are just mooching off the taxpayers.
*Addicts just need to try harder.
*Antonio beat out her son for a starting position on the basketball team, because he’s black, and you know, black guys can jump higher.
*Frank and Sam that live next door to her are stupid, and weak because they won’t use an e-collar to train their dog.
*So what if Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath – the Jewish business owner should answer their phone. Doesn’t he know she urgently needs something?!?!
*Marie in her local Mom’s group is a raging lunatic because she chooses holistic means of healing. Hasn’t she ever heard of medicine? Of Doctors?
Friends, Karen is what I would call a fucking hypocrite!
Tolerance is tolerance is tolerance, regardless of the object/subject of dissension.
You are undoubtedly going to interact, DAILY, with people who have different opinions on things as you.
This is 100% fact, and unless you are a deaf, blind, and mute, agoraphobic -
absolutely unavoidable.
What is COMPLETELY avoidable is, bashing, mocking, or judging another, simply because they hold an opposing viewpoint.
Not only is it OK to have varying stances on things, but it can also be extremely interesting to discuss said differences with that person.
How MF’n boring would life be if we all felt the same way about every fucking thing.
No thanks.
#snoozefest
It is entirely possible to not only be cordial to, but also, be friends with people whose opinions are different than yours.
--> I am Pro-BLM, and know people who are not.
--> I am Pro-Choice, and have friends who are Pro-Life.
--> I don’t like organized religion, and have lots of people in my life who are religiously devout.
--> I choose to train dogs utilizing force-free methodologies, and have friends who utilize training tools such as e-collars and prong collars.
--> I am Pro-Police, and staunchly against police brutality/excessive force.
None of the people I know/love, whose beliefs oppose mine, are bad people, they are just different people.
Guys –
Different is how we were all uniquely created to be; it is the standard, not atypical.
Our differences are what makes sharing our planet with others so beautiful and fulfilling.
**Again, I am NOT talking about the monstrosities that plague us like pedophilia, human trafficking, honor killings, etc.**
I challenge you to reflect and see if there is anything that you judge other people for doing/believing.
If you are brave enough, comment below with something you found yourself judging others about.
Our lives may take us down different paths, but we have the same destination - to leave this existence, having lived our best, and most fulfilling life as possible.
XOXO
Be excellent to each other!
Patti
~ The Free Range Rebel
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