ABSTRACT
Ethnic tolerance is tolerance towards people of different ethnic origin in one’s own surroundings (e.g. residential and work situations) such that ethnic origin does not constitute a reason for withholding rights, positions and opportunities. In South Africa, the blacks are ‘tolerated’ as a pool of second-class workers or domestic helps, and in certain areas in The Netherlands, ethnic minorities are ‘tolerated’ in slum dwellings, while the indigenous population lives in new dwellings. In the period 1973-1976 it could also not be said that ethnic tolerance prevailed among the indigenous population or in the action group. However, the configuration of factors which led to this situation was not the same as it had been in previous years. Whereas, in the Old West prior to 1980, the indigenous residents had been giving the incoming immigrants an unfriendly, if not intolerant, reception, after 1980 a situation of ethnic tolerance developed.
