Yes, this is by far the most painful article I've ever had to write. Ann Coulter represents beliefs that I find incredibly vulgar and completely anti-American. I also believe that she is essentially a shock commentator, a conservative figure that has remained in the spotlight due to her uncanny ability to anger and outrage liberals. But here's the thing, she is still an American citizen that is protected by the first amendment.

Milo Yiannopoulos of Breitbart recently experienced what Ms.Coulter is currently going through. UC Berkeley cancelled his event there when protests turned violent and property was damaged by angry students. Milo has repeatedly targeted individual students at the schools he's attended which, to me, invalidates his right to be there. So in the case of Milo, I feel like colleges refusing him a platform was acceptable if he planned to continue to expose individual students and their private lives. But Ann Coulter does not engage in this behavior– she just spouts out generally horrific things. And even if the students at UC Berkeley do not agree with these things, it is not their right to stop the conservative students on campus who'd like to hear her speak from inviting her to do so.

I am no fan of the so called "antifa" or anti-fascist. And of course I also do not support their opposition of the alt-right and other extreme right groups. To make it exceptionally clear, I oppose any extreme political group. Most Americans are rightfully disgusted by the absolutely abhorrent hate speech spewed by our clean cut Nazi wannabe Richard Spencer, and were most likely not too sad when he received a punch to the face. But I don't condone any violence, especially when riots like the ones being engaged by the childish protesters at UC Berkeley are endangering both property and ordinary people's lives and well being. If they really wanted to show their disdain for Ann Coulter's beliefs, perhaps they should attend her event, listen, and then ask her questions afterwords in order to at least open up a dialogue.

Now of course, she might not accept the questions, she may be rude and mock any person with a differing opinion, but guess who now has the high ground? Republicans jump at any opportunity to label liberals or democrats as the violent side of American politics; look at the Trump rallies as the perfect example of this. And they love to paint liberal students as the "new fascists" who refuse to allow their conservative peers to speak their minds.

I love talking to conservative students. Even though we differ on numerous topics and views, it's always insightful and we always leave with a greater respect for each other. How can you expect conservatives to listen to and consider more liberal viewpoints if democrats and liberals simply act as if their ideas are the word of God and anything contrary is blasphemy? I've seen this type of arrogance, and it only serves to drive the political discourse of this country further and further to the extreme ends of the political spectrum.

So, to those masked self-indulgent vigilantes who believe they are saving the republic, you're doing just the opposite. For every brick you throw, for every Trump supporter you punch, and for every poorly worded and juvenile strung together speech you deliver with a megaphone, you are simply proving Ms.Coulter and her followers right. Take off the masks, don't fly the Soviet flag and maybe consider wearing something other than black or camo sweatshirts. Then when you've done all that engage with facts, actual policy and a willingness to understand your fellow American and really show what makes this country great.