Two tools to fight intolerance

Ignorance and intolerance are constant bedfellows. Experts tell us that these personality faults are rooted in little or poor education, lack of honest intellectual curiosity to grow in experience and understanding, and related to that last point, an unwavering commitment to surrounding oneself with similarly ignorant and intolerant people.

There might not be a panacea for the stupid or hurtful things that unthinking and/or insensitive people say and do, but there are ways to help combat tendencies toward ignorance and intolerance.

One is to get outside your comfort zone. Is there a better way to teach tolerance than to force yourself into situations or circumstances where you're a minority? If you're a Christian in a place that's 90 percent Christian, or a white in a place that's 92 percent white, or a Republican in a place that's 70 percent Republican, chances are that you really don't know what it's like to walk a mile in the other guy's shoes. Nor are you likely to understand what it really means to be persecuted or ignored. What's worse, you might be emboldened to perpetuate only the "realities" of those who are like you with complete disregard for the realities of those who are not.

Getting outside your comfort zone via travel is almost guaranteed to expand your horizons and, therefore, your understanding and perhaps even compassion for people who see the world differently than you do. Toward that end, The Press will provide a passport to other realities starting tomorrow. Created by a delightful young woman who grew up here, who graduated from Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy and distinguished herself in college, this new travel feature celebrates the wonders of other places and people while the author exults in sharing her suggestions and experiences with you.

Another weapon in the war on ignorance and intolerance is laughter. Unless you're truly sick, it's impossible to feel hateful or angry when you've got a good grin on your melon. Laughter also is the best medicine we know for making others feel comfortable, for creating camaraderie among disparate tastes and beliefs. We've got something for you on that front, too. Starting March 31 on The Press weather page, and running every day until the creative well runs dry, we'll be offering another feature intended to fracture the granite-like countenance on all those serious faces long enough for a hint of a smile to sneak through.

Even if these modest attempts at enlightenment and lightened moods fail miserably, we'll keep trying. There's something invigorating about laughing at ourselves, too.