Hempstead City of Character

The word tolerance comes from a Latin
word tolerare, meaning "to bear." In other
words, a person who is tolerant bears
another person's weakness or irritation.

Tolerance doesn't mean changing what
you know to be wrong to seem to be right. It
does mean to remember that some are just
now learning what is right and giving them
room to grow. A tolerant person will
encourage and help a person to want to
learn good character.

A tolerant person doesn't judge a person
by his outward appearance or by things he
can't help or that are different. He tries to
understand a person's inward motivations
by learning about him and asking him
questions.

A tolerant person will look at his own
faults when he is irritated by another's
actions. He will choose to be peaceful
when others irritate him.

Concept by

Staring out the frozen window pane of her home, Abigail Adams' thoughts turned toward the
cheerful young boy outside diligently chopping wood. The young boy's happy smile was one thing
Abigail could count on to brighten the lonely days during her husband's absence. "What would I do
without James?" she thought affectionately.

Many people considered it impossible to have friends with different colored skin. The fact that her
skin was white and James' skin was black didn't make any difference to her. It was James'
character that made him special.

Did you spot the "I Will"? Abigail accepted her unchangeables and the unchangeables of others. She
valued character rather than the color of a person's skin.

In addition to James' cheerful spirit, Abigail appreciated his appetite for learning. Smiling, she laughed
softly as she remembered all the questions James had asked her that very morning. Suddenly,
Abigail had an idea. She would teach James to read so that he could answer his own questions.

Without delay, Abigail pulled down the dusty old readers she had used to teach her own children. Each day, James' finished
his chores around the house so he could concentrate on his studies. One evening during their lessons, Mrs. Adams could not
help but notice that James was distracted. "What is bothering you, James?" Quickly he blurted out, "I was wondering if I might
attend school!"

Abigail wanted the very best for James. "What a wonderful idea!" she responded. "I will make the arrangements and pay the
tuition myself."

Did you spot the "I Will"? Abigail Adams looked for way to help others mature.

A short time after James started his classes, Abigail heard a loud knock at the door. A neighbor entered the room seeming to
be greatly disturbed. "Mrs. Adams, this is not a social call. I thought you would like to know that there are those who strongly
object to James' presence at school. You should probably keep him at home."

Abigail was shocked. "Has he misbehaved? Or has he been a hindrance to the other children's studies?" Offering no clear
answer, Abigail was forced to come to a conclusion on her own. The objections had nothing to do with James' character. The
complaints were directed only toward the color of his skin.

Realizing that there was not any problem with James' behavior or performance at school, Abigail responded. "Perhaps you
might be able to tell me who the others are, and why they have not come to voice their opinions," she said. The man seemed
quite embarrassed.

Did you spot the "I Will"? Abigail listened before forming an opinion.

"Sir these are things that James cannot change. They have nothing to do with his ability as a student. In fact," she continued,
"your concerns attack the very principal of liberty itself. James is a free man as much as you are. There is no reason why he
should be denied an education."

Did you spot the "I Will"? Mrs. Adams did not confuse what was right with what was popular.

The man could not argue with the truth in Mrs. Adams' words. Reluctantly, he admitted, "You are right. Let me assure you, no
more complaints will be made."

After the door closed, Abigail caught sight of James hiding behind the staircase. "Thank you!" he whispered. Abigail smiled in
return, "You'd better go back to your studies." With a grin that stretched from ear to ear, James hurried off to his lessons.