Friday, December 2, 2016

Intolerant of Tolerance

I hate the word "tolerance". No, it's not lost on me the irony of using "hate" to describe my feelings toward "tolerance." But despite the word being used as a positive attribute, something to aspire to, there is, hiding there beneath the surface, a level of hate. Dislike or disapproval at the very least.

We hear a lot about tolerance these days. Always in the context of how we view each other, react to each other, negotiate our lives in our neighborhoods, cities, states, country, globally. We're all here together, the same and different. What are we going to do about it? Accept? Reject? Tolerate?

Quote of acceptance by Eminem | www.BakingInATornado.com | #acceptance #compassion


To me, "tolerance" is just such a condescending word. Arrogant. It implies the right to judge, find distasteful or subpar, but allow anyway. Subpar? Distasteful? These are sentiments appropriate to a different kind of experience or a new flavor, but not to the core beliefs or lifestyles of other human beings.

Don't like chocolate {{gasp}}, pistachios {{double gasp}}, we have every right to decide to tolerate these flavors or avoid them.

Don't like Jews? Gays? Hispanics? Do we really think we have the right to decide whether or not we are "willing to allow"? Not so much. At least I hope not.


Cannoli Wontons, all the delicious flavors of a cannoli in an oven baked, sugared wonton shell. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert

Cannoli Wontons
Cannoli Wontons, all the delicious flavors of a cannoli in an oven baked, sugared wonton shell. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert



It's not enough to be tolerant. It's not enough to begrudgingly accept each other with an attitude of indulgence. We cannot just abide differences from the lofty stance of giving permission. It does not move humanity forward, it's actually insidious. It allows us to hide under the veil of complacency.

It would be wonderful if we could truly embrace each other, respect each other, learn from each other, utopian and idealistic as that may be. Clearly as a society we are clearly not there yet. Maybe never. Ultimately we must come to accept each others' inalienable right to breathe. Can we just start there? I'm disheartened to have to say that it seems to be coming down to just that. The future of our country depends on it. The future of our planet depends on it. Dire? Overly dramatic? I'm going to have to let you be the judge.

And yet, despite my distaste for both the word and the sentiment, given the direction in which I see our society currently heading, I would gratefully accept a climate of tolerance. 

Because the only thing worse is intolerance.


Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics





Cannoli Wontons
                                                                          ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
2 TBSP sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 TBSP butter
24 wonton shells
1 1/2 cup ricotta
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBSP Egg Nog
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
1/3 cup chopped unsalted pistachios

Directions:
*Grease two 12 cup muffin tins. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*Mix together the 2 TBSP sugar and 1/4 tsp cinnamon and set aside. Melt the butter.
*Gently press the wonton shells into the muffin tin cups. Lightly brush the melted butter into the shells. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
*Bake for 8 minutes until the cups start to brown. Remove from oven, cool completely, remove cups from the pan. You can store these in a sealed container.
*Whisk together the ricotta, powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and Egg Nog. Mix in the mini chocolate chips. Place into a pastry bag and refrigerate until ready to serve.
*To serve, pipe the filling evenly into the shells. Sprinkle with the chopped pistachios.

17 comments:

  1. Oh, my goodness! You are SO right! I never put it into this context before. It does have a condescending tone, doesn't it? I love that quote by Eminem.

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    1. I love Eminem's quote too. This is actually the third time I've used it in a blog post. It's so simple yet clear.

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  2. It's sad to see where we are at in this point in time. I don't understand people who feel that it is their right to judge another. I thought only God could do that. I love that quote as well.

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    1. I agree. We should all have enough to keep us busy in our own lives, we shouldn't be wasting our time and energy on how others live.

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  3. I haven't even read it yet. I will. I will. I'm just stuck on this recipe. Wow. I love so many of your recipes, but this is definitely my new FAVORITE.

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    1. So glad. You were who got me thinking about cannolis so it's fitting that you like the recipe!

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    2. I couldn't love you (or this recipe) more, if I tried!!!

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  4. I accept everyone, except for assholes. I tolerate those folks. I love this article. 💖💖 Very well written.

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  5. We all tolerate some people or some things because the opposite is just wrong generally speaking

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    1. Although it's true that we do tolerate some people, it's not what I'd hope we aspire to. We can and need to do better than that.

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  6. I was just looking today for a recipe using eggnog (I have an abundance of it) and look what I found - philosophy and a recipe all rolled into one. So agree, with both your thoughts and your recipe. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    1. Well look at that, a two-fer. And I've got more eggnog recipes too, let me know if you want me to send you the links.

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  7. Great post and recipe. I know about some people I will say "I tolerate them" and that is really not a positive. It is like tolerating a puppy having accidents in the house. You know it is not something you have to deal with forever. I want a Mike's Cannoli, NOW!

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    1. Yes, that's just the connotation of the word that bothers me.

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  8. You're right. It's a grin-and-bear-it word, smacks of minimum expectations. Never thought of it before. Don't just tolerate, aspire to embrace, celebrate, respect. Very thought-provoking post, Karen.

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    Replies
    1. And although it smacks of minimum expectations, sadly, I think we've taken a lot of steps backwards. At this point tolerance may be the place we need to start. Again.

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