Again, I empathize with Lexy and can totally understand what she is saying. Perhaps that is due to the fact that I have had similar reactions to reading responses to others' and my posts here. One issue, as I see it, is in the nature of real communication. What I get from reading your response to Lexy is a 'story.' That story says that you think Lexy should be tougher, like you, in her reactions to people challenging her and to their use of inflammatory language. You cite examples of your own where people "tore you apart" in your field of science, like that is a badge of honor and made you tougher. Have you ever considered that not everyone else is like you, or reacts the same or even should? I think it can be viewed as a bit patronizing, to hold that someone, who has just explained to you her feelings and how she reacts to the way she is spoken to, should just 'take it' or 'be tougher.' That you telling her what you believe to be the motivations of those speaking to her is somehow more accurate than her own experience of their motivations.

So, my thougths are that if you want to really communicate with Lexy or anyone else, try to hear their story and accept that what she says is just as valid as what you perceive to be true. We are not all made the same. We are very unique in our nature/nurture and being. Maybe try to learn the language that is not so inflammatory and caustic that it makes some of us go away...