Re: Diversity: Tolerance or Celebration? w/lesson ideas

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

Social Studies

MEMBERS

9 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Mills College

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

Social Studies Teachers Chatboard

Diversity: Tolerance or Celebration? w/lesson ideas

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Nov 10, 2014

In the linked article, Barbara Blackburn writes:

"I hear many people talk about tolerance and how we must learn to be tolerant toward those who are different from us. When we tolerate something, we put up with it temporarily until it is gone. We tolerate a toothache, back pain, and loud music coming from a neighbor’s house. Why would we ever put what we do with children in the same category? Instead, we should celebrate the differences of our children."

Click over to read the rest, including several simple but powerful classroom activities you can incorporate immediately.

Comment

(2)

report post

supersubwithmayo On 11/10/14, Teachers.Net Gazette wrote: > In the linked article, Barbara Blackburn writes: > > "I hear many people talk about tolerance and how we must > learn to be tolerant toward those who are different from us. > When we tolerate something, we put up with it temporarily > until it is gone. We tolerate a toothache, back pain, ...See MoreOn 11/10/14, Teachers.Net Gazette wrote: > In the linked article, Barbara Blackburn writes: > > "I hear many people talk about tolerance and how we must > learn to be tolerant toward those who are different from us. > When we tolerate something, we put up with it temporarily > until it is gone. We tolerate a toothache, back pain, and > loud music coming from a neighbor’s house. Why would we ever > put what we do with children in the same category? Instead, > we should celebrate the differences of our children." > > Click over to read the rest, including several simple but > powerful classroom activities you can incorporate immediately.

The Link does not work. After reading above, I find the casting of "tolerance" as a negative extremely unfair and intellectually lazy. Tolerance at its core means "you have your belief, and I will have mine," This is noble and good. It is peaceful and nonviolent. It is an essential element of American culture.

While their is certainly nothing wrong about sharing and discussing our differences. I find the concept of "celebration," a fuzzy concept that can be troublesome.

When it comes to race, I find that constant emphasis on difference, results in just that...people who feel separate and different from each other. I have always thought racism is better defeated by embracing our commonality as a human family. When all else fails, at least tolerance says, "okay, you don't like me, but we can leave each other free from harm." I, like Dr. King, want the a world were I am judged for the content of my character.

When it comes to religion, the concept of "Celebration" can be down right divisive. No one who truly believes deeply can say "Hey your religion is as good as mine," without in fact devaluing their own religion. No one will do this without a fight. Tolerance is far more valuable. It says everyone has a right to think their religion is best...and that is okay.

I frankly, would embrace tolerance...it isn't a bad idea...but you can disagree...because that is tolerance.

Nov 14, 2014

report post

Publius Tolerance does not equal acceptance. It can't, or it is not tolerance.

Feb 11, 2015

report post