Community Quote by Anonymous
““We are not an assimilative, homogeneous society, but a facilitative, pluralistic one, in which we must be willing to abide someone else's unfamiliar or even repellant practice because the same tolerant impulse protects our own idiosyncrasies. --Michael H. v. Gerald D., 491 U.S. 110 (1989)””
About This Quote
Source Court Opinion: United States v. Gerald D., 491 U.S. 110 (1989)
The quote argues that a healthy society must tolerate diverse, even uncomfortable practices because tolerance safeguards everyone’s unique freedoms.
In simple terms: Tolerance protects diversity.
Embrace unfamiliar practices to protect your own.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legal debates
- multicultural workplaces
- public policy discussions
- education curricula
- community events
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we draw the line between tolerance and endorsement?
- What mechanisms ensure tolerance doesn’t erode core values?
Tolerance may be exploited to justify harmful practices if not balanced with safeguards.