I want to separate the nasty and destructive responses from the innocent questions and day-to-day debate.

The former is wrong and unhelpful in any situation, I agree. But having spent a great deal of time debating people online, I think it's unfair to characterise much of what we're seeing coming from the political right as innocent. If you're looking to hold the Left accountable which obviously I agree with, you can't do less for the Right.

And the issue with day-to-day-debate, is that these issues are not simply intellectual exercises for the people you're debating. These are material issues which affect their daily lives. Arguing from a position where the outcome clearly makes no difference to you is always going to lead to problems. Particularly if you don't at least try to be empathetic to the stakes involved. This is also what it means to “be kind.”

I don't think John McWhorter would characterise himself as a conservative at all (I don't know Maxwell). Neither would I. This isn't a #walkaway post (most people who #walkaway simply never knew what they stood for in the first place). I'm just clear enough about what I stand for that I'm happy to speak out against those who undermine it. Even if they're coming from the fringes of "my side."