Letter to the Editor: Say it, forget it. Write it, regret it.

After witnessing never-ending arguments regarding the No Kings protest, I found myself less interested in the specifics of crowd estimates and more concerned with what the reaction revealed about us as a community.

On social media, people are easily labeled, dismissed, and dehumanized based on a single opinion or affiliation. These platforms reward outrage; the louder and more extreme the take, the more attention it receives. Nuance, meanwhile, gets buried.

But real life is not lived in comment sections.

Warwick provides tons of opportunities for in-person engagement and conversation. For instance, The We the People Warwick Dialogue Series encourages attentive listening, respect for diverse perspectives, and building stronger community relationships.”

The next round begins April 7; could the timing be any better?

The level of open vitriol some have for fellow residents online is concerning. Lashing out online may provide instant gratification, but how will you feel when you run into that person at a local coffee shop? Or when your children end up in the same class and want to have playdates? We must model better behavior for the next generation.

Close the app. Go enjoy nature. Volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to you. Try a new sport or hobby.

If none of this resonates, perhaps keep the words of the wise Dorinda Medley in mind: “Say it, forget it. Write it, regret it.” The internet is forever; words written in a moment of anger could come back to haunt you someday. Is it really worth it?

Megan Cooke
Warwick