Gore Vidal Quotes

Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened. Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures. They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat.

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

No human trait deserves less tolerance in everyday life, and gets less, than intolerance.

Race prejudice can't be talked down, it must be lived down.

It's a tragedy, in a way, that Americans are brought up to think that they cannot feel for other people and other beings just because they are different. They think they're different. It's very limiting.

No one is born hating others.

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

Learning to live with offence is the price of living in a diverse society.

That differences of race, color, and creed are natural, and that diverse groups, institutions, and ideas are stimulating factors in the development of man; That to promote harmony in diversity is a responsible task of religion and statesmanship; That since no individual can express the whole truth, it is essential to treat with understanding and good will those whose views differ from our own; That by the testimony of history intolerance is the door to violence, brutality and dictatorship; and That the realization of human interdependence and solidarity is the best guard of civilization.

Liberals allow right-wingers on their platforms to have a 'civilized discussion,' but there's no reasoning with racists. I don't want them to have a platform that humanizes them. I want to talk down to them and meet them exactly where they are, with absolutely no respect.

My parents taught me never to judge others based on whom they love, what color their skin is, or their religion. Why make life miserable for someone when you can use your energy for good? We don't need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful. When you hear people making hateful comments, stand up to them. Point out what a waste it is to hate, and you could open their eyes.

There is a huge difference between being tolerant and tolerating intolerance

Respecting differences is very difficult.

I am a universalist, passionately devoted to the cause of equality within the human family.

Because we should always respect other nationalities, I have always tried to play them with dignity.

It is through accepting other people in our own countries that we shall come to respect our neighbours and be respected in our turn.

There's nothing I love more in life than turning around a bigot.

I want our students to be so accustomed to children of other cultures that the words 'diversity' and 'tolerance' won't be in their vocabulary. They won't need them - they'll live it.

When I have kids, when I have a family and nieces and nephews, I'm gonna teach them to love more and be kinder and to not judge someone by the colour of their skin or any other thing.

Everyone should play their role in tearing down the wall of hatred.

I remember while I was at school some of my Muslim friends talked about a handful of people spoiling things in every culture. Hatred or hurt or pain isn't specific to a religion. I think it's a matter of acceptance. The one thing the world has to accept is everybody is different. What is normal to us is different and unusual to somebody else.

Discrimination is not liberal. Arguing against discrimination is not intolerance.

I celebrate everyone's religious holidays. if it's good enough for the righteous, it's good enough for the self-righteous, I always say.

I really care about people, and I would need someone to also genuinely value other human beings and want to be connected with people in the world and to know about other cultures. That might not be a high standard for someone else, but for me, it's really important to try and stick to that.

In Europe, the big word is tolerance. You tolerate everything.