"We owe to it ourselves to be constantly on guard against this, because if we succumb we become less."

I couldn't agree more. This sort of mindfulness is very important when discussing these matters and confronting those whose opinions differ. However, challenged they must be and they should be challenged without recourse to violence. Which leads us on to...


"That sure doesn't seem right to me, but how do we answer that challenge?"

There are always a small number of idiots out for trouble and they need to be challenged from within the group they claim to represent; informal gatherings and ad hoc groupings need to be very aware of the presence of these people and call them out. Self-policing is vital. Also, non-violence is vital, even in the face of extreme provocation. The atmosphere at Charlottesville was toxic and there were armed alt-right militias at the demonstration; this sort of provocation must be hard to endure as threat is implied by the presence of people in camo gear with guns.

Always peaceful protest.