Thank you for your thoughtful response.

I’m only going to reply to a few of your points because of time constraints. I’ve written several essays here on subjects related to speech and dissent, and I recommend looking through them if you want a more complete picture of my evolving ideas on the subject.

To your use of the term “utopia”. I don’t think most social justice activists see their goals as utopian, and I usually see that word being used to describe left-wing ideas as unrealistic. Most of us don’t want a perfect society, but one that’s less violent, less unequal, and less harmful to its most vulnerable members.

As for whether nativists are justified in fighting outsiders for the same reasons, I would urge you to research actual data on whether such threats are real. There is significant evidence of the threats minorities face from bigots, fascists, and their sympathizers: everything from systematic denial of opportunity to mass murders. However, most evidence nativists cite of the threats posed by minorities turn out to be hoaxes, conspiracy theories, or extremely exaggerated examples of ordinary crime and violence.

I’m also not advocating the killing of people for their ideas. And if you believe ostracism is too great a punishment for knowing participation in the oppression of innocents, then I urge you again to look at the punishments many minorities face for mere existence and re-evaluate your priorities.