ID: A scene from Legally Blonde of a conversation between Warner and Elle in the corridor at Harvard, in 4 panels:

  1. Warner asks “What happened to the tolerant left?”

  2. Elle replies, smiling “Who said we were tolerant?”

  3. Warner continues “I thought you were supposed to be tolerant of all beliefs!”

  4. Elle looks confused “Why would we tolerate bigotry, inequity, or oppression?”

  • splinter@lemm.eeEnglish
    0·
    2 days ago

    We tolerate people that hold those beliefs in that they are allowed to exist in open society where they can be called out

    This point is hugely important, but not for the reason that you intended.

    You are mistaken on an essential aspect of your argument: calling out bigoted or discriminatory views out is the definition of not tolerating them. At the same time, the bigotry you’re describing - not permitting people to exist in open society - is exactly the reason we cannot tolerate those kind of views.

    The essence of bigotry is that entire categories of individuals don’t deserve the same rights as others. People who hold those views aren’t interested in debating the issue because they believe that their opponents don’t deserve the right to be part of the discussion.

    One side is saying that we cannot tolerate these views. The other side is saying that they will not tolerate our humanity.

    This isn’t a perspective that is subject to change by reason.

    • splinter@lemm.eeEnglish
      0·
      1 day ago

      No, that’s an incorrect summation of one part of my argument.

      The response to your comment is in my second sentence.

    • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      2 days ago

      People who hold those views aren’t interested in debating the issue

      It’s not for them, it’s for other people that they would otherwise convince