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Tolerance a realistic goal

The London Free Press reported yesterday that a 22-year-old man was the victim of a violent hate crime along Kipps Lane last Tuesday night. According to the article, the London resident was lured into a vehicle where he was severely beaten for being homosexual.
The alleged hate crime raises questions about how accepting our society truly is.
It is comforting to think of homophobia, sexism and racism as things of the past and to believe that, as a society, we have evolved to become more accepting.
Unfortunately acts of hate continue.
In an ideal world we would want everyone to not only be tolerated, but also accepted for who they are. However, many still struggle to tolerate anyone outside what they consider to be the norm.
As university students, we tend to find ourselves in a comparatively more tolerant and accepting community. It’s easy to see how those living inside the Western bubble may take for granted the resources bestowed upon them.
University is a unique experience where young people are encouraged to break down preconceived notions and stereotypes.  Every day we are told to think critically and be open-minded towards an array of different people and ideas.
But many people in London live beyond the grasp of the Western gates and, for either financial or personal reasons, do not have the opportunity to experience the safe community and support systems our university has to offer.
It’s not surprising the attacks occurred in an impoverished area of London known for its violence and troubled youth. However, such intolerance does not only stem from a particular socio-economic status and is not always manifested through violence — it can also be attributed to generational differences and cultural beliefs among the general population.
Many hold certain viewpoints for reasons other than ignorance. Sometimes religion, politics and other deeply personal situations can influence the way someone views others within their community —views that are unlikely to change regardless of anyone’s effort. This is why complete acceptance of all individuals and their lifestyles is a goal that is not reachable in the world in which we currently live.
Instead, we should strive to at least be tolerant of one another. Even if it is difficult accepting a person the way they are, understanding and appreciating the world is full of a variety of different types of people is the only way we can reach peaceful resolutions and move forward as a society.

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