Is there any more room left for tolerance in America
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"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." There it is, the first amendment in all its glory. 221 years ago, the forefathers of this country wrote a law that protects you from harm whenever you say whatever thought is on your mind. The question is, can you handle yourself when the next person is able to do the same?
Tolerance is a fair and objective attitude toward those whose practices, race, religion, nationality and opinions differ from your own. This means that although you may not agree with the speech of one person, or you may not understand the muslim celebration of Ramadan, or even if you among the company of a foreign person, as long as that individual is behaving in a peaceable manner, they have just as much rights as you do under our national laws. Many are quick to utter derogatory remarks against others and then run for the shelter of free speech, but when those same people face the same sort of remarks from others, they are quick to cry out in persecution. America's laws aren't suited for one certain group of people, but the benefits of these laws stretch beyond racial, religious, social, and sexual barriers.
One of the greatest forms of intolerance I've been able to witness is the uproar against illegal "aliens" and the threat that they pose against our fair America. This bothers me because there is not one among us outside of Native Americans whose roots can be traced back to an illegal alien ancestor. They are called Native Americans because they were here before 1892 when 15 year old Annie Moore from County Cork, Ireland became the first immigrant to enter Ellis Island. They were also here before April 1584 when Sir Walter Raleigh dispatched Philip Anadas and Arthur Barlowe from England to scout territory in these future United States. Our ancestors made difficult journies from distant countries to settle in this "free" world, but now that we're here, what gives us the right for exclusivity?
Differing opinions are what this country was built on and it's different perspectives on issues that allow us the ability to grow as a country. Egocentricity and sociocentricity do nothing but hold back progression and breed negativity among fellow Americans and those who could be future Americans.
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Comments
I definitely appreciate the fact that instead of just blaming "illegal" aliens for all of our country's woes, you recognize the fault that business owners play in the matter by hiring the same aliens that many politicians and members of the press want us to fear. I also don't hear very much talk about just how badly NAFTA hurts the American economy either.
magnoliazz says:
17 months ago
Good hub! As an American there are many times when I do not like what someone says...however, unless it is anti American, I will fight to the end for their right to say whatever they want. Human beings everywhere should have basic rights, and Americans do not realize how lucky we are to be able to say what we want without reprecussions. I am so grateful I was born in this country. I know our ancestors took this land from Native Americans, and that was wrong. That is just the way of things, that is the way men are, they take what they want, by force if necessary. The whites who came to America had better weapons than the Native Americans and that made them top dog. Is that right? No! But then, look how women have always been treated, and some still are treated....not very well, is that right? No...but that is just the way it is. We should strive to learn from the mistakes of the past and correct them if possible. The Native Americans in my area recieve 5000.00 a month, per person, tax free, for as long as they live. So, in the end, the Native Americans are doing all right, okay- more than alright, and most people are very happy to see that. Going on to illgal aliens, I think the reason Americans are so upset is because I myself worry that we may slide into a third world existance with so many illgals trying to get in. There are just so many jobs to go around, and that is a fact. Illegals are willing to work for much less than Americans, and that erodes our living standards, soon Americans will have to work for less or they will not work at all. Who's fault is it really? Not the illegals, they are just trying to survive. It is the greedy business man who does not want to pay decent wages to the American worker, so that the American worker can have an American lifestyle like everyone else. I think the illegal alien problem will do away once we fine and enforce the people who are hiring the illegal aliens. Once these businessmen, who get bargin labor from the poor illegal aliens, are brought to justice and the laws against hiring illegals are enforced, there will be less and less illegals coming to this country, because there will be little incentive for them to do so. Really, it is not the fault of the illegals. The fault lies with greedy American business who is also moving all of our manufacturing jobs to other countries, hence Americans cannot find work, hence they cannot make the house payment, hence they lose their homes, hence the country is going under....not a good situation at all. Greed is the root of all evil, and we are just beginning to see the evil.