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| Tolerance Does Not Mean Submission by S.L. McKay |
| The Radical Right has exploited a great strength of liberalism: tolerance. No doubt, they are feeling smug, having turned strength into an apparent weakness. Yet tolerance does not mean submission. Let us now show them another great liberal strength: a majority united for human liberty and democratic principles! One's greatest strength is also one's greatest weakness. I thought of this expression recently as I pondered the deep divide between the Radical Right and the majority of Americans, and the variety among liberals and moderates that make up that majority. Diversity, by definition, implies division albeit without judgment of positive or negative. The Radical Right cannot be described as diverse because its doctrine is based on exclusion. The theocratic-oligarchic-plutocratic hybrid philosophy embraced by the New Right has nothing-I repeat nothing-to do with the democratic principles our nation was built upon. It is a sociopathic doctrine, welcoming only those who blindly support repressive social, destructive economic, and oppressive political agendum. Clear evidence of these priorities are found throughout its unifying themes: certain groups of people (its members) hold moral authority, social superiority, economic insight, and the "correct" definition of what it means to be a patriot over all others (non-members). Zealous declarations and activities that encourage members to wage war (in a variety of ways) with those who will not submit to their views further expose its underlying fascist nature. The Radical Right is divisive, not diverse. Liberal ideology, on the other hand, is born from diversity. Its basic tenet declares that each human is a sovereign being. In turn, individuality should be respected so long as the action of one does not adversely infringe upon another. Once an esoteric meditation, the belief of individual liberty and group tolerance forged the heart of America. It is the heart that pumps freedom's lifeblood throughout the body politic. Just as a human body has many sub-systems, each providing something different yet necessary for the health of the whole being, so, too, does the American body thrive as a result of its many people. Contributions by differing views maintain democratic health. As a whole, our nation and its political parties embrace the liberal view of unalienable rights. However, interpretation of what rights and for whom must be measured in context to the times. In 1800, only white males were recognized as having full Constitutional rights. The Civil War was fought to expand the definition of which persons the “pursuers of liberty” were, to include former slaves. Yet, in reality, it took another one hundred years for African Americans to obtain significant civil rights. Women, too, have struggled. Most were not able to own land, a business, or have custody of their children until the twentieth century. There were internment camps in this country during World War II for Japanese Americans but not German Americans. The genocide of Native Americans in the "pursuit of happiness" ranks among the most obscene acts carried out by any government in the history of the world. There are other examples as well. The point, however, is that we must continue to learn from past ignorance and mistakes so we do not repeat them. In doing so, we will keep growing as individuals and as a nation. This is why the increasing presence and power of the Radical Right is so frightening. Their mission--to inflict rigid social, economic, and religious doctrine on all is amoral. It not only threatens to halt our evolution as a tolerant people; it also strives to turn back the clock! They seek to reinvent the wheel?to rewrite the founding principles of American government and society. The intolerance of the minority trumping the tolerant majority takes one's breath away. In what can only be described as surreal, Americans have recently witnessed events that were once reserved for distant, unenlightened nations. Evidence of widespread fraud and acts of intimidation in a presidential election. A conservative majority judiciary intervening on behalf of the conservative candidate. An inaugural proclamation that Jesus is everyone's savior. Bipartisan confirmation of an Attorney General whose words and actions are tinged with bigotry. The continuation of hate-based Clinton bashing rather than attention to current events. Apparently, eight years of non-stop partisan attacks against the President of the United States, by individuals whose own fall from grace puts them well under the moral high bar they have set, were not quite enough. An erroneously labeled "free" press, beholden to corporate interests, steering voters away from the truth. Economic proposals based on failed ideas that threaten the recent unprecedented prosperity. Executive orders restricting reproductive and workers' rights and seeking to remove the founding principle of separation of Church and State. All this and more, within the first month of what many view as an illegitimate administration. How could this have happened? America is the role model for democracy throughout the world. Or are we? Americans are an informed people. Or are we? Are we naïve? Is that the reason we have just been bushwhacked? Perhaps we are not as free as we think we are. Perhaps intolerance is tolerated more than we want to admit. Perhaps we are truly clueless to the powers that influence our country. I believe America remains the best role model for democracy. I also believe we can make it better. Most of us are more tolerant than intolerant. However, we need to distinguish tolerance from acceptance. We should tolerate opposing views but not accept words and actions that threaten our freedoms. I believe we are naive, as only great dreamers can be. Yet we should not be so naive as to think that freedom has no price. The price of freedom is attention and participation. Ah, how easy it is to turn off and tune out. Can't do anything to change the system, right? Wrong. History reveals that free people are the only people than can shape their own destiny. Liberal-minded folks allow others their space; believe people should be allowed to express themselves, have the right to their beliefs. There should be room at the table for all, so long as one does not seek to harm another. When this happens we get testy and we take action. A recent example of this was the Right's so-called Contract with America in 1994. Many Americans did not heed this bunch, initially. In hindsight, we owe a great deal to Newt Gingrich. His overwhelming need and obnoxious ability to hog the spotlight got everyone's attention! Upon examination of his gang's ultra-conservative, oppressive, anti-People agenda, we attempted to remove the zealots from Congress in 1996. Yet, as with any cancer, removing the visible tumor does not ensure a cure. Malignant cells may lurk, too subversive to be seen by the casual observer; or hide dormant in full view. |