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TL:DR; Challenge intolerance whenever you see it. Be brave, speak up, and be willing to fight.
Tolerance is often celebrated as a fundamental value in harmonious societies, enabling diverse groups and individuals to coexist peacefully. However, the paradox of tolerance, as articulated by philosopher Karl Popper, reveals a critical flaw in this ideal: if a society tolerates intolerant behavior - such as hate speech, discrimination, or systemic oppression - it risks enabling those who seek to dismantle the very foundations of equality, freedom, and justice. This is why it is not only important but imperative for the public, particularly those aligned with activism and pregressivism, to refuse to tolerate intolerant behavior. Drawing on the philosophy of Erode "Periyar" Ramasamy, a radical social reformer and anti-caste activist from India, we can further understand how rationality, solidarity, and a relentless fight against oppression are essential to building a just and equitable world.
Intolerant actions and ideologies are not merely abstract concepts that populate our phone and TV screens; they are tools of systemic oppression wielded to maintain power hierarchies. Whether it is racism, sexism, casteism, or xenophobia, these systems of oppression target marginalized peoples, perpetuating cycles of poverty, violence, social maladaptation, and dehumanization. When a society tolerates that behavior, it becomes complicit in the suffering of the oppressed, and it quickly changes the culture held by its people into one of passivity, apathy, and avolition; It becomes a culture where no one can save themselves or others. Periyar’s philosophy, rooted in rationalism and self-respect, provides a powerful framework for understanding why we must actively resist intolerance. He saw caste, gender, and religious hierarchies as irrational constructs designed to uphold the dominance of a privileged few. His "Self-Respect Movement" was a call to arms for the oppressed to reject these hierarchies and demand equality. For activists, this philosophy is a rallying cry: tolerance of intolerance is not neutrality - it is collaboration with oppression.
Periyar’s emphasis on rationality as a weapon against oppression is particularly relevant in today’s political climate. (*cough cough* global fascism is on the rise *cough cough*)
He believed that irrational traditions, superstitions, and dogmas were the root causes of social inequality. By encouraging critical thinking and self-respect, he sought to empower the marginalized to challenge their oppressors. That is in-line with the leftist commitment to dismantling systems of power and exploitation. This means not only calling out intolerant behavior but also organizing against the structures that enable it - whether it is capitalism, patriarchy, or white supremacy. Rationality, in this context, is not passive; it is a call to action. It demands that we confront the uncomfortable truths about power and privilege and work tirelessly to redistribute both.
This call-to-action can be answered by confronting someone when you hear them parotting conservative talking-points, or casually supporting supremacist ideology. Telling them they are "not allowed to speak in a
harmful or intolerant way around you" is an effective measure in stopping the spread
of fascist ideology, because it directly challenges the normalization of
such ideas. Intolerant rhetoric thrives in places that it is not challenged, where it can be percieved as legitimate in comparison to more educated and empathetic ideologies. The internet is becoming a breeding grounds for such thinking, but in real-life, individuals can disrupt this process of normalization and dissemination by simply vocalizing strong disaproval, or threaten to enforce boundaries you set for the space around you. It also empowers others who may be silent or complicit to take a stand,
fostering a culture of collective accountability. On a broader scale,
this kind of confrontation undermines the social infrastructure that
fascism relies on to grow, making it harder for such ideologies to gain
traction. In essence, it is a grassroots form of resistance that
protects vulnerable communities and upholds the values of equality and
justice. You yourself can do it.
Critics of this stance often argue that refusing to tolerate intolerance infringes on free speech or risks authoritarianism. This argument, however, is a smokescreen designed to protect the powerful. Freedom of speech does not include the right to spread hate, incite violence towards the marginalized, or deny others the dignity of a humane existence.
Understand that true freedom cannot exist in a society where some are free to oppress others. Periyar’s philosophy reinforces this understanding, emphasizing that liberation requires the dismantling of oppressive systems, not the preservation of abstract ideals that serve the privileged. Drawing boundaries against hate is not authoritarianism; it is a necessary step toward liberation.
In conclusion, refusing to tolerate intolerant behavior is not just imperative - it is a political necessity for those committed to assuring that everyone gets to live good lives. It is a rejection of the systems that dehumanize and divide us and a commitment to building a world rooted in equality and justice. Periyar Ramasamy’s philosophy reminds us that rationality, self-respect, and solidarity are our most powerful tools in this fight, and that it is, in fact, a fight. Oppression is the true enemy of mankind, and it is only through collective action and unwavering resistance that we can defeat it. For us, this means embracing politics of radical empathy and relentless struggle, refusing to compromise with intolerance, and fighting every day for a future where everyone can live with dignity and freedom.
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