You're different; therefore, I'm better
I've been reading Darp's ongoing battle with the Patriotic Youth League (must put him on the blogroll, too. The best lefty writer by a margin). I have a few mixed feelings.
The PYL are undoubtedly a bunch of tossers. At ther moment they are a weak, ineffectual organisation, but if left to their own devices, who knows? More importantly, who cares? If Australia becomes a white supremacist state, it can only do so by the will of the people. How is this different from being a Buddhist or Islamic state?
I have a big problem with people preaching tolerance - they don't tolerate anybody who disagrees with them. Personally, I don't tolerate very much. Which is not to say that I run around abusing anybody who looks different to me or has a different opinion/religion/sexual orientation etc. I don't have to tolerate them because they don't bother me. Tolerance means putting up with something I don't like. I don't put up with things I don't like; I move away from them. The Mardi Gra Parade for instance. It has long since become something other than a protest against discriminati0n and homophobia, now it's more of a "We're gay so we're gonna get in your face" parade. I don't like it, so I don't go to it or watch it on telly. That's about as tolerant as I get. Same as most of the tolerance preachers, only I recognise myself for what I am.
I wish Darp well in his crusade, there is a lot to be said for his willingness to support his thoughts with actions, I only hope we always retain the freedom to dissent.
posted by Dirk at 4:31 pm
5 Comments:
I don't tolerate intolerance.
I also don't tolerate "funny" sayings.
Tony,
if somebeody has no tolerance, why do they call it intolerant and not out-tolerant?
Oh, let me field this one - finally I can show off my tertiary education! Actually, I'd rather not.
I think Darp's campaign will contain a few valuable lessons about dealing with abhorrent principles without alienating the majority.
Or untolerance.
you're on the money Dirk. You don't preach tolerance, you either live it or you don't. Pretty simple really. I've never understood why people go to things like Mardi Gras to complain about it or yell out offensive things. There must be something else to do in Sydney that night.
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