Do Unto Others: Toward Understanding Racial Tolerance and Acceptance

Abstract

The ultimate, practical objective of understanding both prejudice and tolerance is to reduce discrimination. No where is this more important than in diverse societies where differences exist in culture, colour and creed. Tolerance is only necessary when difference or diversity is present and entails endurance at the most basic level and acceptance at its best. Racial tolerance has been under-researched and is largely unexplored from a psychological perspective and there are both definitional and conceptual issues needing further clarification. This paper will discuss definitional and conceptual issues surrounding tolerance in general and racial tolerance in particular and report on the fledgling literature about racial tolerance.