Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Rationale for Tolerance (continued)

Ms. Carmona continued to explain tolerance. "If all persons are equal, then all lifestyles are equal. You are a person of value, so however you choose to live your life is OK. Nobody can tell you what's right for you or what's wrong for you. That's something everyone must decide for herself. Whatever you decide is right for you is right. Whatever you decide is wrong for you is wrong. Of course," she said, "if you have trouble deciding just what's right for you and what
isn't, there are higher powers available to help us in those decisions."

Shawna wondered if it was mere coincidence that Ms. Carmona's gaze seemed to rest longer on her than on the others—maybe trying to "connect," as her friends called it. Shawna sensed an electricity in that brief moment that reminded her of some of her past escapades—smoking pot, leaving camp to meet boys, and others.

Ridiculous, she told herself. Ms. Carmona and my old friends are not at all alike. My old friends were always trying to lead me into trouble. Ms. Carmona only wants to help me, to teach me how to understand myself better and how to be more tolerant of others. What could be wrong with that?

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