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Here is an example of an awesome persuasive essay. The prompt question? Should schools teach tolerance? Take a stand.Arthur Diep-Nguyen March 31, 2009
Mrs. Drake, English Period 4
Time for a Vaccine
Intolerance is the disease that courses through the bodies of all people, no matter the race or culture. It is a trait naturally built into all humans to enable us to survive, but it has proved to be a double-edged sword too many times. Intolerance and racism is steadily engulfing our planet like an epidemic; it must be stopped before humanity reaches the point of no return. To achieve this, we must be taught tolerance. It is the only key to free us from these chains of hate. The simplest way to do this, and probably the best way, would be to teach it in schools. Since children are always ready for new ideas, why not introduce tolerance into their fresh and innocent lives? We must spare them from a horrible fate that they may face every day. Also, since teachers are the professionals, they could teach children more effectively. In this way tolerance can be achieved.
If intolerance is a disease, tolerance is the cure. To counteract intolerance, tolerance teaches not to look down on other people, but to see them as equals. All children know the Golden Rule: “Treat other as you want to be treated.” It is that easy; if everyone follows this rule, the world might become as close to Utopia as it will ever get. Of course, there are those who disagree. Many would argue: “Tolerance is largely conceptual. Is it not likely that people will not be able to understand it or even refuse to believe it?” Although tolerance is conceptual, in reality, it is actually quite simple. As Jesus once said: “Treat thy neighbour as thyself.” Truth be told, many people still do not accept tolerance. Those people may feel threatened by other races. It may be because of peer pressure, family problems, personal relationships---it simply depends on the individual. But teaching people at an early age may solve the problem.
Because the minds of children are so pliable, it would be best to teach them tolerance before they become adults, when their minds are set. Scientific evidence shows that the brain of a child is much more “plastic” (which is neurologist jargon for when something is easily adaptable) than adult brains. Also, because they are expanding, they are much more willing to accept new material, ideas and concept. To clarify this: when humans (or any other animals) are young, they need to learn how to survive. Luckily, natural selection has done its work well. Because of this, children who are taught tolerance, especially at a young age, grow up to be more peaceful than those who are not taught tolerance, who themselves show signs of aggressiveness and violence. Thus, children must be taught tolerance to improve our modern society. As you know, the economy is not what it used to be. Some working parents might say: “I’m too busy to teach my child anything more than schoolwork. In fact, if I do not start working harder, I might get laid off!” This is perfectly logical, but there is a logical solution to this. Schools enforce tolerance already. Schools may cover it in some courses, and some even teach it as a school subject. Minor punishments are dealt out to those who treat others unfairly or unjustly, in order to reduce tolerance. In fact, schools are one of the best places to send a child to learn tolerance (except for extremely specialized classes that focus only on tolerance, and those are usually expensive, unnecessary, and difficult to come by).
The effectiveness of schools generally surpasses that of private tutors, afterschool programs, and, in some cases, parenting. Many of the most renowned people of our nation---Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln (and dare I say Chuck Norris? Just kidding.)---have stood for tolerance, even through some of the darkest times. Of course, not many of them were taught tolerance in school, but it would have helped. Schools that teach tolerance (or have tolerance-supporting organizations or bodies within the school) produce students that are more closely bonded. People hold special bonds with friends. The children who are taught tolerance together will have their friendships strengthened, particularly so with children who are of different races. Their friendships improve performance in group schoolwork and sports. What a pity for the schools that do not teach tolerance. Eventually, then hypercritical people come and hear this. They may argue as so, “You said it yourself! Some schools do not even teach tolerance. In that situation, what would a busy parent do?” Yes, schools that teach tolerance are better than those that do not, and some schools do not directly teach tolerance. Most moms, hearing the plain advantages of teaching tolerance in school, would complain to the schools that do not teach tolerance. I would not be surprised if President Obama found several letters waiting for him addressing the lack of schools teaching tolerance. Yet those parents might not know that although some schools do not teach tolerance, all schools (in California, at least) enforce tolerance. Most serve punishments to students that behave inappropriately towards other students. Punishments range from “dings” to lunch duty to visits with the principal. This discourages bullying and other problematic situations.
It is clear that intolerance of other people is unacceptable in civil society, and, with luck, will be dealt with accordingly. Because of tolerance, violence has left and leaves behind a refreshing peace. However, it still returns; in some places, it makes its unwelcome visits frequently. Nonetheless, our nation fights on, always trying to rid us of this plague for good. For our country to free us from the menace of intolerance, every citizen must put every inch of effort into this righteous cause. For once we are free from hate, we may be finally be at peace.