A Step Towards a More Open West Virginia?

Dictionary.com defines "tolerance" as:

1.	a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.

2.	a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own.

3.	interest in and concern for ideas, opinions, practices, etc., foreign to one's own; a liberal, undogmatic viewpoint.

Recently, with relatively little fanfare (so far), the City of Charleston amended their human rights law to include a ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation. This adds to the list that provides protection against discrimination based on race, sex, age and disabled status.

Few modern issues flame passions like the debate over acceptance of gays in our society, including gay marriage. Those on both sides of the issue can come across as less than tolerant of each other's views, even the right to express them. It is important to note that "tolerance" is a step towards embracing a community where everyone - liberal, conservative, religious, secular - has an opportunity to share their views and live their lives free from harassment or discrimination in the public realm. It does not mean a silent community where these issues are not debated and where people live in fear of expressing themselves. It does not mean a "we win, you lose" scenario where one side has to live seething in anger because they have been silenced or restricted from a full position in society. This is true whether the issue is discrimination against gays or intolerance for religious conservatives. Tolerance must work both ways.   

There are many who would prefer we just not talk much about this aspect of the "Creative Community," emphasizing the other "T's" such as Talent and Technology. However, all the T's are related.

Much of the rhetoric from the pro-tolerance camp, including those who champion the growth of the "Creative Class," is based on the argument that unless gays and others with less-than-majority lifestyles or values are fully accepted as equal members of society, we have little chance of attracting the diverse talent that our state so desperately needs to grow in the New Economy. This tolerance extends to those of other religions, races and nationalities to form "diversity." However, this largely economic argument may gloss over the deeper reason to hope for a more open, tolerant West Virginia.

Tolerance and diversity are really about recognizing other humans as fully human and accepting their freedom as equal to ours. This of course doesn't mean that we will agree on moral differences, religious doctrine and other topics that at some point get played out in public. But it does mean that when we disagree, we do not resort to demonizing each other and we can in fact remain in a state of positive relationship with each other. Interesting, surprising insights can develop.

In a state as non-diverse as West Virginia, it is an important point of debate. We would very much like to hear about your opinions on this topic, and your hopes for West Virginia's future in this area. As with all topics, we hope it will be a respectful, tolerant dialog.

Comments

[sue doohan]

Whenever I encounter encouragement to be open and inclusive and diverse etc. etc. it isn't the "gay issue" which worries me. What worries me is what I've seen in other communities in Pennsylvania when, in the intention of not offending anyone, people are loathe to respond to bad behavior on the part of folks from "different cultures" as vigorously as they would to bad behavior displayed by one of their own. In my opinion, bad behavior is bad behavior no matter what color you are or where your great grand parents came from or how much money your daddy made or whether or not you even knew your daddy.

I've seen neighborhoods and communities become places one wants to hurry through without opening one's car windows because the folks who grew up there so fear the violent anger of newcomers they mutely tolerate blatant disrespect, disregard for safety, and illegality. Decent people so fear the label "bigot" they allow transgressions they would never allow their own children to commit.

I can understand being proud of the traditions and history of one's culture, but when folks from particular cultures display filth, theft, beligerance, sloth, child neglect, criminality, hostility, inconsiderate habits, and just plain sloppiness about themselves and their homes and possessions I can't see anything to be proud of in that.

We live in a time when media feel compelled to feature pieces certifying the existence of "good" Muslims, or Hispanics, or Blacks, or whatever. That's because the "bad" ones take center stage in much of our experiences with people of those cultures. Come to America because you want to be an American, not because you want to be a "(name a culture)American". Speak the language, respect the mores, learn to understand your neighbors as much as you want them to understand you. If you want your culture to be respected and accepted, tell those folks who consistently give off a bad impression of your culture to clean up their act.

Bottom line ... whatever degree of intolerance, bigotry, close-mindedness may exist in me IN NO WAY justifies or excuses bad behavior in anyone else. Unless someone's holding a gun to your head, everyone has free choice about how they behave and how they speak and what attitude they choose to live by. If you want respect, be respectable. If you want opportunity, become an asset.
Claim the freedom you say you desire by letting honor and integrity, not culture, dictate your behavior.