“Life is short. Make sure you spend as much time as possible on the internet arguing with strangers about politics.” — a popular meme
There are (at least) two ways to respond to angry/hateful statements that you encounter on (anti-) social media: With anger/hate in kind, or with love.
How about saying, “We should talk”?
As much as I treasure words, when it’s only the words on a page or screen, the words can be misconstrued. You don’t hear my tone of voice; you don’t see my facial expression.
If words leap off the page and accuse me of wanting harm against innocents or some such, before I respond with the same malice I perceived, maybe I should just say, “We should talk.” Clearly the writer doesn’t understand me, and perhaps the confusion is mutual.
(Anti-) social media has been invaded and infected. Knees are jerking, and people unconsciously search for (perceived) knuckleheads to put in their place. Facebook and Twitter have taken on the awkward atmosphere of a party where a loudmouth or two have started saying contrary things to anyone within listening range — and everyone is listening. Civility is shouted down. Those who are not with me are against me and must be prevented from speaking further. And, of course, those who wish to be left alone may not. Live, and let live? Are you nuts?
No wonder we seek out pictures of puppies, or kittens, or some other innocent creatures, and sit quietly and uncomfortably in the corner waiting for it to stop.
We should talk.
Puppies. I have been forever unable to fix stupid, and I am not willing to spend all my time educating those that should have already learned better on their own by this point in their existence. Therefore, my response to every potential confrontation is always, “More puppies.”