The Definition of "Bigot"

First of all, I want to start this by clarifying this is not written in defense or opposition of anyone's specific opinion about any specific movement / cause / belief system. This is about the trend I've seen in social and mainstream media to label certain figures and large groups of people (their political opponents) as bigots.

To quote The Princess Bride: "You keep using that word. I don't think you know what it means."

So let's start with definition of "bigot" - "a person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions."

Pretty straightforward, huh?

Yet day after day I see high-minded, self-riteous individuals pointing the finger at, for example, everyone who voted for Trump and calling them "bigots" because they didn't vote for Clinton. Swaths of people who support women's rights point at women who voted for Clinton and yell "bigot." Um, ladies and gentlemen, by calling one who holds an opinion contrary to yours names, you are defining yourself as a "bigot." You are exactly the insult you are tossing out.

This leads to the bigger problem in our country today: widespread, institutionalized bigotry. Yes, I'm talking about you, internet holier-than-though policer of all wrong opinions. I'm sure you are quite passionate about what you believe. Good for you! But guess what? So is the person who disagrees with you, and he or she may be right, too. I'm not saying there are no right or wrong ideologies out there. What I AM saying that, as a nation, we have become grossly intolerant of the beliefs and opinions of others who do not agree with us. The growth of social media has normalized this behavior and I, for one, find it highly amusing that such a large number of bigots are so quick to use the word in grand fashion to define millions of their fellow citizens who don't agree with them.

Part of this is caused by my generation. I'm sorry. Too many of my peers have raised children who are incapable of dealing with conflict, of granting another human being the basic respect of making an attempt to understand his or her viewpoint and conduct a healthy discussion about, well, any topic. I'm sorry my generation gave you trophies for simply showing up and shielded you from every possible source of emotional pain and discomfort. Yes, you ARE "special" to mom & dad, but so is that person who votes for the opposite party from the one you support.

Our colleges have sanctified and commodotized this kind of coddling to the point that we have created a huge number of emotionally stunted, bigoted people. It's time to stop.

Before you throw the word "bigot" out on Twitter, SnapChat, InstaGram, Facebook, whatever...take a breath and ask yourself, "Am I being intolerant of this person's opinion?" If the answer is yes, you are being a bigot, so don't say it for risk of looking like an idiot along with being a bigot. No one will respect your opinions when you act in a way that indicates your opinion is the only one that can possibly be correct.

Here's the reality Millenials need to understand: 47% of Americans voted for HRC and 47% voted for Trump. Sure, the popular vote was less than 1% in favor of Clinton. How someone voted does not make them just like the person who voted the same way, nor does it make them your mortal enemy. Grow up. Learn that the need for "tolerance" applies to those who disagree with you as it much to those who agree. You will NEVER help one group by being intolerant toward another, and no one will ever respect your opinion when you disrespect their own. Also remember that your name calling and hateful statements online will haunt you the rest of your days. You can delete that post, but it never really goes away.

Parents, it's not too late. Stop teaching your kids they are perfect and always right. Punish them. Teach them to respect others, especially the opinions of others. Teach them that different people have different needs, different beliefs, and not only is that okay, but that they may actually learn something by listening to and attempting to understand what someone else thinks.

Next up: "Hypocrite"