America Quote by Margaret Halsey
“Americans (I, I'm afraid, among them) go around carelessly assuming they're tolerant the way they go around carelessly saying, 'You ought to be in pictures.' But in the clinches, they turn out to be tolerant about as often as they turn out to be Clark Gable.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The American Way, 1960s
People claim tolerance but act inconsistently, especially under pressure.
In simple terms: Tolerance is often superficial.
Examine true openness in actions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political debate
- media criticism
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does genuine tolerance look like?
- How do you respond when tolerance is tested?
People may hide bias behind politeness.