The focus of tolerance education is to deal with the concept of equality and fairness. We need to establish confidence with children that there is more goodness than horror in this world.

In this quote, Morris Dees, a prominent American civil rights lawyer and co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, discusses the importance of tolerance education in shaping the values of the next generation. He emphasizes that the primary goal of such education is to promote equality and fairness, teaching children that people of all backgrounds deserve equal treatment and respect. The idea behind tolerance education is to challenge prejudices and help children understand the importance of coexistence in a diverse society.

Dees also suggests that tolerance education should go beyond just teaching about equality—it should help children build confidence in the world around them. By focusing on the positive aspects of human nature and showing that there is more goodness than horror, children can grow up with a sense of hope and optimism. This, according to Dees, is essential in fostering a generation that is not only knowledgeable about equality but also emotionally equipped to combat hate and injustice with a positive, constructive attitude.

The quote touches on the idea that teaching tolerance is not merely about instructing children on abstract concepts but also about fostering a mindset that sees the world as a place where goodness can prevail over evil. It is about providing children with the tools they need to navigate a world filled with both light and darkness, and instilling in them the resilience to focus on the positive aspects of humanity.

Ultimately, Dees is advocating for a holistic approach to teaching tolerance, one that blends the intellectual understanding of equality with an emotional grounding in optimism. By instilling this sense of balance and hope in children, we can create a future generation that is not only aware of the world's problems but also empowered to make it a better place for everyone.