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Friends. Here is my question: Should a person respond to anti-Semitic statements in the blogs hosted by newspapers?
Background: I go into the journal news website (lohud) and I see vile abti-Semitic posts. I used to respond and the responses to my posts would get even more outrageous – so I stopped. The anti-Semitic posts have not stopped and in fact get worse with each story. In one story bloggers were commenting to each other how much they like to “bash Hassids” with each other.
I started taking a different approach and now I click on the report abuse button and the hate speech caption and explain why the comment should be deleted. Some comments get removed and others do not.
Ok, friends – your thoughts – what is the best approach to take?
mdlevine – Save your time and disregard it. The Journal (lohud) clearly supports these rabid anti-semites and any effort you expend is bound to be futile.
Secondly, who cares? There are many anti-semitic websites out there, lohud is just one of them.
You have to understand that some of the people spreading their “hate” posts are bigoted & ignorant. They love getting a rise out of you. They annoy me as well, but I know that by answering them, that they LOVE the confrontation. Think about it, why are they posting these comments on an online forum? because these people are afraid to do ANYTHING in person, they feel powerful when they are fighting with people in the safety of their home.
The sites themselves are not necessarily anti-semitic, they just hold by “freedom of speech” So people can go on there spewing just about anything, unless they get a few complaints about the comment, then they take it down.
I agree with josephf. Why not use your time more wisely? Say, take all the time you would’ve otherwise wasted on the newspaper blog and learn a Mishna.
i agree u could try once or twice but then if u dont like it dont go on those blogs and stay here
I have come to the same realization- it does not pay to pay attention to these rabid dogs. I have spent time refuting their responses but then realized “there are more of them and they have more time to make up SNs to post ‘i agree with you’ comments.” Every so often respond, but “reporting abuse” may be better. Perhaps go to a different computer where there is a different IP address so the site doesnt realize it is the same person commenting and reporting abuses all the time. Oh, and another thing, if you are writing to your congressman/other officials dont give winding arguments. I was told to just write “support proposition ___” and if you want, underneath write why. this way, they do not count your vote for the wrong policy. But generally, they do not read the reasons and just check off a box saying “one constituent wants a yes”…
I once got into a heated debate with some Holocaust deniers. It was gut wrenching for me to think there were people in this world who really denied the Holocaust. The problem is, they are not invested in the outcome and I was. It was a terrible experience for me – they brought all these facts and figures disproving one thing or another and there was just no way for me to refute it all. I spent about three days up all night, trying to respond and crying. It was terrible.
I don’t respond anymore. They can flame away, but I don’t add any fuel to the fire. If only a few people are posting and they all say “XYZ” and then “I agree” the conversation will die out. These people live for controversy.
BS”D
I have wasted my time with all sorts of conspiracy theorists, self-haters, anti-Semites, baalei machloikes bekirbeinu, “(formerly) frum skeptics” etc and it is not a worthwhile pursuit in the least. The last time I did it was in the aftermath of Mumbai, and right after that I added many sites to my filter so I won’t get drawn in again.
These people are looking for attention. Few really believe a word they say. Responding to them only allows them to spew more of their hateful trash.
Itziks- You are right- if we do not respond then they will have to stop shouting their garbage… if there is no audience, the speaker will go home.
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