"Deal" Definition of Tolerance Essay

People view others in different ways. We all know the variation of pigmentation. The different colors of hair, colors of eyes, and the sizes of people all affect people’s perception of one another. All these traits are tolerable, yet some people have difficulty with one element. Skin color. This has been an issue since the early years of man kind. Blacks have been despised, mistreated and killed all because of the color of their skin. To me, tolerance is a human must. We need to learn how to live with each other no matter how different in appearance we may be. What is inside a person is more important than what presents them. (what’s on the outside)
I am a third-culture-kid, and have learned to live with people. To me everyone is a person and I don’t care what they look like. People don’t have to be a certain color or height to be my friend. However, not everyone is like me. History proves my claim. Just look at the time of slavery. This inhumane behavior is still commencing. The “Word” Dictionary describes tolerance as “acceptance and patience.” It is not what everyone views as tolerance to be. Some people may think that abiding the rules is tolerating... I agree with acceptance, not with patience. Patience is being frustrated, breathing slowly to calm yourself down as to not murder someone. Tolerance is different. It has guidelines.
One thing I remind myself about is companionship. Would you want to be around people who hurt others because of their color? Or would you rather be around people who may look a little different but are the nicest people in the world. I have had experiences with pigmented people, and they have turned out to modest, intellectual persons. Friendships can be initiating with a smile, and all colored people I have met smiled in my direction. All I have met are currently my friend.
Tolerating a person doesn’t always mean that you have to be friends with them. But you don’t have to be enemies. A kid I know is slow. Literally slow. He slurs his words, and is hard to understand. Most of the time he’ll end up spitting in my face as I move in closer to comprehend what he’s saying. Yet I couldn’t ever feel bad about him doing it. Knowing him for two years has made me recognize his problem. From then on, I’ve treated him as a normal person as I would any other human being. My friends just has some trouble speaking and controlling his saliva.
Life is about living. Tolerance to me doesn’t exist in a way, because of how I see things. What I’m trying to say is that not everyone thinks like me. So I don’t have to tolerate people, it’s just built into me to not set people aside. People are people, and I take things for the way they are. Many are different. But think of it this way… do you have to put up with a person you don’t like for a whole day? Every day? I predict your answer would be no. If it you do need to deal with bothersome people all day, still listen. Put yourself in the kids’ shoes and think about what you would do when people frown at you every time you walk down the hall. Does it hurt? What about talking behind people’s backs? You smile at two people walking down the street. As you pass by, you suddenly hear whispering. You look back. They’re shooting short glances at you and giggle when you look dazed and confused. Does it hurt? Understand people and know that they are a part of you. No matter how annoying they can be, give them some of your time and understand their situation. They’re not around you forever.