Laurence J. Peter Quotes

Unfortunately, the people of Louisiana are not racists.

The show doesn't drive home a lesson, but it can open up people's minds enough for them to see how stupid every kind of prejudice can be.

We've known for a long time, and I think culturally we've accepted, that diversity is an important thing in the work of knowledge.

Racism has a very quick expiration date when exposed to actual contact with people.

Instead of being presented with stereotypes by age, sex, color, class, or religion, children must have the opportunity to learn that within each range, some people are loathsome and some are delightful.

There are two things which cannot be attacked in front: ignorance and narrow-mindedness. They can only be shaken by the simple development of the contrary qualities. They will not bear discussion.

I am certainly not racist; I even like the British.

Bias and prejudice are attitudes to be kept in hand, not attitudes to be avoided.

I have never been racist.

People aren't born racist.

Nobody wants to be racist and I think that most people aren't.

I am not homophobic - in no way, shape or form.

I like the diversity that my children are exposed to every day.

It is, therefore, essential that we guard our own thinking and not be among those who cry out against prejudices applicable to themselves, while busy spawning intolerances for others.

Experience tells us that people are not born with the innate ability nor the wish to see the Other as an equal individual in society. Pride in one’s separate identity can be so strong that it obscures the intrinsic value of other identities. Pluralism is a value that must be taught.

He who is master of all opinions can never be the bigot of any.

This is an increasingly diversifying society, and people are coming into much closer contact with each other than they ever did. I find that a problem for a university, because bumping up against people who disagree with you is fundamental to the creation of new knowledge. And so universities can't go silent. You can't have a place where it's not permitted to make a certain kind of argument. But you can have a place which forbids epithets to be thrown at people.

I try to teach through my opinions, through my speeches, how wrong it is to judge people on the basis of what they look like, color of their skin, whether they're men or women.

For me, I don't have to defend myself that I am not a racist. I won't go in that discussion.

Education is the key solution for change, for peace, and for help in the fight against racism and discrimination in general.

We need to educate our audience. It's so important to have diversity. Let's not fear different voices.

I'm not homophobic in the slightest. I have lots of gay friends.

'Educate, don't hate.' That's my motto. The reason why there's so much pushback against diversity and against minority communities is because people are afraid to make mistakes and ask questions. They feel that they'll be chastised if they use the wrong label. It's too scary for them.

Don't assume that all fat people are gluttons. And don't use the word 'fat.' There is a principle here. Learn from logic and experience not to associate things - especially in preaching - that don't necessarily go together.

I try to support groups that are about educating people about different races, different religions, different cultures and different situations so that we can break down the barriers of prejudice and bigotry.