If They Shout on the Internet and No One Cares, Do They Still Make Noise?
Dear Advice,
In light of the recent tragic shooting involving individuals from the transgender community, I’ve been thinking a lot about anger and how it shows up in public spaces. I participate in an online forum that is, for the most part, filled with kind, respectful people. Unfortunately, there is one individual who identifies as transgender and seems consumed with hostility.
This person frequently posts hateful remarks about our president, our country, our military, and even goes so far as to speak against God, seemingly just to provoke others. The tone is always bitter and designed to upset. It’s discouraging, because while the majority of voices there are decent and civil, this one voice dominates with negativity.
My question is: how should I respond to someone like this? Should I try to engage with them directly, ignore them completely, or address their behavior in a way that doesn’t fuel more division? I want to stay true to my values, stand up for what I believe, and also not be dragged into endless hostility.
— Your Local Sanity Survivor
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