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This is just semantics. When people say that we need "tolerance," they don't typically mean that we should start to tolerate the intolerable; only that we should question whether or not our own definition of "intolerable" is perhaps too restrictive.

Here are a couple of MLK quotes... these clearly indicate a desire for tolerance, together with a desire for change:

“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”

“Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, ‘Love your enemies.’ It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.”

Further, one can be tolerant and still desire (and work for) change. The world is not so black and white.



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