Image by Pexels

By Neil Berro September 1, 2016

I never realized how “stupid” I was until I wrote a piece supporting Donald J. Trump for president in the Forward. As you can see, “stupid” was actually one of the most mild insults directed towards me in the comments section.

We are living in an age of online vitriol. We hate each other, and the rawness of that hate is palpable.

Our communications through social media are the most embarrassing. Our very imperfections as human beings are now transparent and exposed in every manner. Our unfiltered feelings towards one another’s views are being equally exposed and revealed.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

We should all be ashamed, but we are not. I may indeed find adherence to certain beliefs or values ridiculous or indeed worthy of a strong response. But I should also realize that diverse views add much to total understanding.

Our anger, whether being expressed as individuals or by segments of a society, is careening into chaos. We are reaching the point where people are forced to withdraw from either public expression or must self censor private remarks as we fear being politically incorrect and drowned in damning charges often of dubious validity. That would emerge as disastrous for this country — who is to say what happens if one day your views are deemed unacceptable?

There has to be a better way.

I believe that Donald Trump would best represent our country. I also really believe Hillary Clinton, who had the mantle of leadership at the State Department, failed to stand up to the Iranian mullahs when they were reeling back in 2009 and that she will fail to stand up to the Iranian mullahs drive for nukes in 2017 and beyond. If being an American matters at all, if for that matter professing to being a liberal matters at all, than my freedom to express these views is hardly a casual privilege to be taken for granted.

Screaming at me (or anyone) in print does not augment your progressive credentials, the strength of your argument, or the quality of our democracy.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount