Tolerance vs. Respect

Contrary to popular belief, these words are not synonymous.

To "tolerate" already suggests that there's something inherently wrong that you need to get over. It is to say there is something "abhorrent" about them that has to be dealt with. It is to say, "I'll put up with you like I do the boil on my foot".

To respect is to embrace. To take the person for who they are, not how we are taught to assume they are. It does not mean to pretend there are no differences. It means to learn about them, to love them, and to find beauty in those differences. It means to understand that those differences are what make this world so full of life, so interesting, and so incredible. It means to connect from human being to human being.


"We don't need a melting pot in this country, folks. We need a salad bowl. In a salad bowl, you put in the different things. You want the vegetables - the lettuce, the cucumbers, the onions, the green peppers - to maintain their identity. You appreciate differences." - Jane Elliot.


Thank you to the staff at RCC for opening my eyes through this film screening and discussion.

Blue Eyed by Jane Elliot

Yesterday I watched a brilliant film addressing discrimination, and especially racism. I highly recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to watch "Blue Eyed" by Jane Elliot do so as soon as possible. It will change the way you look at other people, and the way you look at yourself. It has really opened my eyes, and I will never again close them to this issue.


Just some quotes and thoughts:


"Doing nothing is just another to show approval for the way things are."

"The problem can't be slapped onto 'the system'. 'The system' is not some big, mysterious, far away thing. We are the system. If the system is the problem, we are the problem."

"The key to solving racism is responsibility. You are responsible for your own action or inaction."

"Even just being 'aware' is complicit."

We make the decision to continue or discontinue the mindsets/actions of the past and present in our own lives. If you change yourself, and pass it onto your family members, your children, soon we will have a generation of people who will not perpetuate the racism we see today. The change isn't going to be all of a sudden, but gradual.

As a person born into privilege, I am one of those who must use that power to address these problems.

Changing mindsets is hard work. How many of us are willing to pay the price? How courageous are we willing to be? Are we content enough with the way things are?

Baby Daylon

Today I got an email from Barbara De La Cerda:

"I know with all my heart that it is because of prayers that Daylon is still here with us and has come this far in his rocky journey in his short life. The doctors are now concerned that his kidneys still are not functioning normally, and are discussing the need of a kidney transplant. My sister Gwen has asked if we could have a massive prayer said in Daylon's honor in hopes that his kidneys will kick-in, and there will not be a need for the transplant. Could you please help us and take five minutes out of your busy schedule and kneel in prayer for Daylon?"


Please keep Baby Daylon in your prayers. Pray that his kidneys will gain strength, and pray that his family will have peace and faith, no matter what happens.

Thank you.