Intolerance

William R. Colagrande, MS

What are some of the psychological components behind racial prejudice? Well, first let’s look at the definition of prejudice. As it is defined in Webster’s as a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or experience, we know right away that to be prejudiced is to be irrational. Not necessarily raving lunatic irrational, but just not based in reality or experience. We all hold irrational beliefs on one subject or another and in varying degrees of intensity. And it is the intensity that certain beliefs are held along with the sense of authority or legitimacy with which one holds them that determine how problematic they become. Most of us recognize our irrational beliefs as irrational when we see them, just as most of us recognize that when our irrational beliefs are potentially destructive or hurtful we try our best to curb them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

One of the root causes of racial prejudice is the notion of authoritarian child rearing practices. Typically tolerance and respect are not highly valued concepts in authoritarian households. When a child is brought up with strict or even harsh rules and explanations for these rules are not provided nor the harshness of them mitigated in some way by warmth, affection or respect, the child will likely grow up with a desire to in turn inflict his will on someone else. Anybody perceived as different along racial, social, economic, educational or gender lines are all likely targets for this type of treatment.

Another of the functional psychological causes for prejudice is known as projection. Projection is an unconscious defensive function of the ego whereby traits or characteristics of the self that appear too dangerous or threatening to be tolerated or acknowledged become projected onto others, much as a movie projector displays images on a screen. Also a function of an environment lacking a basic sense of tolerance or respect, the threatening or despised aspect of the self is only recognized in others who are then hated or otherwise disparaged for it. Characteristics such as greed, selfish indifference, aggression and even racial intolerance are among those traits often projected.

Even as projection is an abdication of taking responsibility on a personal level, we also see it manifested on a social, political or cultural level. In this instance societal issues such as economic, military or political shortcomings or failures are projected outward by the majority group with minorities taking the blame. Probably the best known modern example of this was the treatment of the Jews by the Nazis back in the thirties and forties. The Jews were blamed for Germany’s dire economic situation and Hitler skillfully manipulated this projection to catapult himself into power.

So what does all this have to do with us now. First of all, on a personal or familial level, it points to the importance of raising our children with a strong emphasis on tolerance and respect. We can’t teach tolerance without practicing it; in fact practicing it is the only effective way to teach it. I’m speaking about practicing it with your children, with how you related to them and handle them and also serving as a role model for your children by demonstrating tolerance in your day to day interactions. This is no easy matter and may require some close personal and even painful scrutiny of your own values and the extent to which you allow your prejudices free reign. A Do as I say but not as I do attitude will not cut it. To the extent that you have prejudices, acknowledge them, first to yourself and then to your loved ones. You, after all, are not perfect, nor do you need to appear to be so. By acknowledging your personal shortcomings appropriately you are leading by example and teaching tolerance in its highest form.

Secondly, I think that public displays of intolerance, racial or otherwise, can serve as a community inoculation. Think of the flu vaccine: a small amount of the flu virus is purposely injected into our bodies with the result being that our bodies grow in their ability to resist further harmful infection. A display of racial intolerance such as our community may soon experience can, taken in the proper light, serve the same function. Use this opportunity to talk to your kids about racial intolerance; have a family meeting to discuss and examine what is going on. Teach about ways to handle incidences of intolerance when encountered. Emphasize that as human beings we have a heck of a lot more in common than we do have differences (as we’ll all come to suddenly appreciate once the first signs of extraterrestrial life are encountered.). Model for your children an adult, reasoned and restrained approach to racial intolerance that they can employ and integrate into their own personal and social interactions.

I encourage you to restrain whatever impulses you may have to lash out: that is only meeting intolerance with more intolerance. Focus instead on the message of taking personal responsibility for our own feelings and actions, regardless of the actions of others around us. Demonstrate that we run our lives and we need not allow ourselves to be provoked by the actions of others. I think of the poignant lyrics of Lerner and Lowe’s song from South Pacific, You’ve got to be taught. Racial, or for that matter, any prejudice has to be taught: here is an opportunity to teach tolerance and respect, a real life civics lesson. Seize the chance, you won’t regret it.

2005

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