Bigotry & History

     What is the definition of bigotry?  According to the dictionary it is someone that is stubborn and completely intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.  What does this really mean?  The phrase stubborn and completely intolerance are the key words, which make someone a bigot.  Why, because that phrase implies negative action, verbally or physically, toward someone without your beliefs.  

     Some people are accused of being a bigot because their religious beliefs don't align with today's new moral standards. Having different beliefs does not make you a bigot.  If you treat everyone with respect and compassion even though you don't support or understand their beliefs, you are not a bigot.


     Does calling someone else a bigot make you a bigot?  If someone doesn't have your beliefs why would that alone make them a bigot?  History has proven that bigotry has always existed but society as a whole has made positive strides however prejudice will always exist.  Inanimate objects do not cause bigotry.  People teach bigotry. The most recent news has been regarding the confederate flag.  The confederate flag is a historical flag about a time in US history, yes the South believed in slavery, but I bet the first thoughts many people had when they saw a confederate flag (prior to the recent tragedy) was "Dukes of Hazzard" not slavery.


     As a society we need to look forward not ignore or try to change the past.  The past is what it was like it or not.  Do not be thin skinned or you will never be satisfied.  If you hide history or it's symbols you are doing a disservice to society.  Knowing the past will help you gauge the improvements made today.  Compare today to the past to see the positive progress.

  


     Many people will say there have been very few improvements but to that I say. Visit a plantation and see what life was like prior to the Civil War, visit the Tower of London and listen to the torture people went through in the middle ages, look at how the American Indian was treated, there are many examples in every country. History tells stories of bad things and good things but that doesn't mean we should close down our museums because they tell bad stories, it's our history, we can't change the past but we can learn from it.

     There are terrible atrocities that are happening to people today but it is the action of people.  Of the many things to be concerned about in the USA, do you really think the eliminating the confederate flag should be I on the top of the list?  I don't.  Seems like the news media and society are always ready to support the vocal minority.  "Just Saying...."