We have made great strides in our progress toward a truly multicultural society, but there are those who would unknowingly undermine such efforts. And undermine them even as they attempt to forward them.

The most recent example of this is the decision of Heather Reisman, chief executive of Indigo Books and Music Inc., to completely halt the sale of Adolf Hitler’s biography, Mein Kampf, from her Indigo bookstore chain. While many would say that Mein Kampf is the most reviled piece of hate literature ever written and Ms. Reisman was completely justified in banning the sale of the book, is this the best approach to promote a multicultural society?

What can be done to sway those who embrace racism and hate? Ms. Reisman and others would say that her decision is the first step. I wish she were right. It would be nice if society could wipe out racism and bigotry once and for all. Unfortunately, as long as individuals have the ability to think freely, racism and bigotry will exist.

In this battle to eliminate racism and bigotry and to encourage the development of a truly multicultural society, it is necessary to properly understand the ideas that threaten it. Indeed, one of the most fundamental tenets of winning wars is fully understanding the enemy. In that context, Ms. Reisman has struck a major blow against those who would try to understand hatred.

Ms. Reisman and her supporters have also introduced another dangerous variable in the battle to destroy bigotry and racism. For years, our Western society has encouraged the development of intellectualism over emotionalism as a form of ensuring the continued evolution of humanity. The development of this intellectualism, as we here at U of T know, has been encouraged through the increase of information available to the general public.

With the ban of Mein Kampf from Indigo stores, Ms. Reisman and her supporters have taken a dangerous step backwards. (Indeed, it could be argued that emotionalism, particularly fear of the unknown, is the very root cause of racism and bigotry itself.)

Ms. Reisman has taken a danger that was knowable and made it unknowable—she hasn’t banished it. If anything, she has strengthened it, because ignorance is the very medium in which hatred flourishes.

We have a long way to go to achieve a truly diverse and multicultural society. And to do that, we need the freedom to fight racism and bigotry. They can’t just be swept under the Indigo throw-rug.