Child, Just Ignore Them: 5 reasons to stop engaging racists online
By EEW Magazine Online Staff // Racism // Christian Conduct
In today’s globally connected world, we encounter diverse people, perspectives, and philosophies – some good and some bad. Among the worst evils to which we are exposed is racism that rears its head in many forms and through various outlets, especially the Internet.
While online, if you are active on social media, you will inevitably come across hateful bigots that infect Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and other forums with deeply offensive racist rhetoric and white supremacist ideologies.
Though you may feel inclined to respond and push back against their distorted views and assertions, there is nothing to be gained from going toe-to-toe with a racist troll. To help you ignore them, as hard as it may be, EEW Magazine Online is giving you 5 reasons to stop engaging racists online.
#1 You’re not going to change their mind. Just as no one can convince an anti-racist that racism is right, no one can convince a happily racist person that they’re wrong. They are set in their ways, and you’re not going to change their mind or warped philosophies by arguing with them, calling them names, or scolding them for their bigotry. It’s best to pray for people like this, avoid responding to their foolishness, and move on with your day.
#2 You’re only going to trigger yourself further. Individuals that feed and thrive off hate are hard to stomach and aren’t good for your mental health. By engaging a racist, you make things ten times worse, because you voluntarily walk into a toxic cloud of harmful rhetoric, breathe it in, infect your mind and soul, and trigger yourself further. Don’t do it! Their nasty words and callous behaviors can be quite triggering for anyone, despite how strong someone thinks they are. If you allow a racist to get inside your head, you’ll inevitably have a negative emotional response and experience a great degree of psychological stress.
#3 You feed into exactly what they want. If you think racists are deterred by negative attention, think again! They thrive on inciting violence, fueling controversy, and using whatever means they can to spread their hateful vitriol—even you. They love triggering you and seeing you repost and react to their words. When you give them an audience and clap back online, you feed into exactly what they want which is more attention. By ignoring racists, you help mute their voices. So, instead of responding to trolls, focus on being positive and spreading truth to combat misinformation.
#4 You increase the risk of coming out of character. A preacher got angry at a troll and cussed him out online. The minister later had to apologize and admit his embarrassment to his members and followers. As a believer, your witness for Christ is important. But if you let a racist make you angry, you increase the risk of coming out of character. James 1:20 says, “Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” Though outrage and righteous indignation is okay (Jesus turned over the money changers’ tables in the temple!), mud-slinging, filthy communication and stooping to their level is not.
#5 Nothing good will be accomplished. Some people’s only ministry is trolling, and nothing good will ever come of your decision to engage a professional troll. Scripture simply calls them fools and says don’t address them at all (Proverbs 24:6). Rather than wasting your time, stressing yourself out, and contributing to the chaos on the Internet, let your light shine instead. Do the opposite of what racists do: spread love and truth. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Look, it isn’t always easy to take the high road and rise above all the hatred and racism you see around you. In fact, without God’s help, it’s impossible. This is why it’s necessary to be led by the Holy Spirit instead of your emotions. Then and only then can you govern yourself in the way the word of God instructs you to.
