I’ve found myself to be intolerant of those around me who are racist. I would prefer to distance myself from them but circumstances being what they are, I am unable to do that. How would stoicism view this problem?
DISCLAIMER: I don’t know shit about stoicism! Anyway… That’s a difficult one. I think racist people are damaged people and lack acceptance, maybe even fearful, idk… The point is, you differ from them. You, as yourself, are incompatible with these people. Their views are hurtful to others and to you. That’s why, naturally, you desire distance.
Now the thing is, in the circumstance that you can’t avoid them, you won’t have any choice but to take it as it is. But you can relish in the fact that you know that you can’t change them, nor is your duty, and your views are yours and they can’t take that away from you.
I would feel pity for them. What led them to be this way. Their views can’t replace yours. Take shelter in your own mind. Be tolerant, to save your own sanity. Let their views slide past you like Neo let’s bullets slide past… Or something.
Anyway, a stoicist will give the correct answer…
You could point out that uneducated and ignorant racism can be educated but being outright racist, refusing to be educated and being wilfully ignorant is a reflection of being just plain stupid.
That is a very good and valid point.