As a child, growing up with Monster films from the 50’s and 60’s, I rooted for the Monsters.
I always felt they were misunderstood.
As humans we tend to see the World from our perspective. We have difficulty understanding others, anyone or anything outside of our culture or environ.
When considering other potential lifeforms we must try to see them thru their eyes, their environs. Once we do, then and only then, are we justified in judging them thru our beliefs.
In my serials you will find that the characters do not prejudge. They accept the other life forms within their cultures and envirnons.
If we break away from our current 12th Century concepts on space travel, i.e., chemical rockets, and 19th Century communications, i.e., radio waves, and become true space farers thru Alcubierre Warp Drives and Instantaneous Communication Systems, we still have a lot maturation to do yet.
Tolerance is not and will never be acceptable.
Acceptance of other cultures is the only way. Acceptance doesn’t mean you have to change your beliefs or culture. It just means you need to accept others who are different than you and their way may be just as acceptable.
For me this concept is second nature from conception and I believe that it is a nature that we must adapt before entering the Cosmos.