In the world that we live in, we hear derogatory remarks and hateful criticism on a daily basis. It’s a sad fact, but it’s true. Sometimes, we run into people that are purposely hateful to others that are different than themselves. Other times, people are raised with the prejudice they possess and don’t know any other way. Either way, it is what continues to breed hate in our world, and I wish it was not as commonplace as it is. Whether it be derogatory remarks against someone of another race, religion, cultural background, or even someone with a disability, we hear it much too often.

The concept that I wish more people could grasp is tolerance. To be tolerant means that you can coexist amongst others of many diverse cultures, abilities, races, and religions without issue. To accept others as they are and celebrate each other’s differences, rather than judging each other, is tolerance. At times, it is difficult to accept the actions of other people, but learning to stop judging others and mind your own problems is the key. If we had a world with more acceptance and less prejudice, I am willing to bet we would all be a little happier.

Racism, homophobia and other prejudices are active in our society every day. It doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture, though. Sometimes, we don’t even know we’re doing it. We often use offensive language and don’t think twice about it. For example, the next time you call somebody or something “retarded,” think about the implications of that term. You’re referring to individuals with intellectual disabilities and using their identities to describe something you think is stupid or something you dislike. That is offensive and hurtful, especially to anyone who has an intellectual disability or their families. They are born with their disabilities, but are by no means “stupid.” Individuals with disabilities often do not see them as disabilities at all, it is just their everyday life. So, using someone’s everyday life as a derogatory term will always be offensive, but many people do not see that.

Tolerance is not a difficult concept to understand but is often a difficult concept to execute. If people were able to spend more of their time coexisting, and less time judging others by their differences, our world would be a much better place. I believe that everyone is capable of peacefully coexisting, once you realize the implications of your actions. I hope that someday, more of our world will be tolerant, and we will all smile a little brighter.