Intolerance

The United States Declaration of Independence opens with the words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” We are a nation that takes pride in being comprised of people from many nations whose languages, beliefs, foods, arts, and physical characteristics have immigrated with them to shape the character of the United States. Yet, paradoxically, intolerance and its manifestations in hate-crime, blacklisting, lynching, church burning, gay bashing, red-baiting, imprisonment, violence, and restrictive legislation are also evidenced throughout our country’s history. Changing values, perceived threats to security, social upheaval, economic stress, religious differences, and racism can all be traced to the insecurity and ignorance that underlies intolerant behavior.