Well, another cowardly attack...

[Veilex]

39. "So why focus on words when you can focus on bigots?" - perhaps its because...

Words are usually our first indication on if we're dealing with a bigot or not. Actions always speak louder than words, but words are generally a precursor to actions.

I suppose in the absence of a clear way to impact issues such as bigotry and sexism, people, perhaps, focus on addressing what they can identify... in this case, words. I certainly agree that when compared to acts of discrimination and sexism, words are indeed low hanging fruit. Though, they serve not just as the proverbial canary-in-the-coal-mine of our culture, to see where our level of civility is at, but also end up being a guiding light to younger folk. In this way, we can think of these words as being seed stock with which we're raising the next generation.

At least, that's one perspective.