Don't do it

Do not make personal attacks anywhere in Wikipedia. Comment on content, not on the contributor. Personal attacks damage the community and deter users. Nobody likes abuse. Part of Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines Shortcut: WP:NPA Do not make personal attacks anywhere in Wikipedia. ...

Consequences

Many Wikipedians remove personal attacks on sight, and although this isn't policy it's often seen as an appropriate reaction to extreme personal abuse. Users have been banned for repeatedly engaging in personal attacks. Abusive edit summaries are particularly ill-regarded.

Ramifications

Remember that disputes on talk pages are accessible to everyone on the Internet. The way in which you conduct yourself on Wikipedia reflects on Wikipedia and on you. Stay cool.

Being reasonable

Different contributors may not agree on an article. Members of opposing communities reasonably wish to express their views. Synthesising these views into a single article creates a better, more NPOV article for everyone. Remember to accept that we are all part of the same community as we are all Wikipedians. Shortcut: WP:NPOV Wikipedia policy is that all articles should be written from a neutral point of view. ...

So, don't do it!

There is no excuse for personal attacks on other contributors. Do not make them.

Examples

Specific examples of personal attack include but are not limited to:

• Negative personal comments and "I'm better than you" attacks, such as "You have no life."
• Racial, sexual, homophobic, religious or ethnic epithets directed against another contributor. Religious epithets are not allowed even if the contributor is a member of a purported cult.
• Political affiliation attacks, such as calling someone a Nazi
• Profanity directed against another contributor.
• Threats of legal action
• Death threats.
• Threats or actions which expose other Wikipedia editors to political, religious or other persecution by government, their employer or any others. Violations of this sort may result in a block for an extended period of time which may be applied immediately by any sysop upon discovery. Sysops applying such sanctions should confidentially notify the members of the Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee and Jimbo Wales of what they have done and why.

The Nazi party used a right-facing swastika as their symbol and the red and black colors were said to represent Blut und Boden (blood and soil). ...

Alternatives

Instead, try:

• Discuss the facts and how to express them, not the attributes of the other party. This does not mean that you have to agree with them, but just agree to disagree.
• Never suggest a view is invalid simply because of who its proponent is.
• Explore issues in a less public forum like e-mail if a debate threatens to become personal.
• Read Wikipedia:Dispute resolution.

Agree to disagree or agreeing to disagree describes or refers to a situation where two or more people or groups of people resolve conflict by reaching an agreement whereby both sides tolerate but do not accept the views, opinions or position of the other side. ...

Remedies

If you are personally attacked, you may remove the attacks or may follow the dispute resolution process or both. In extreme cases, the attacker may be blocked, though the proposal to allow this failed and the practice is almost always controversial.

A misguided notion: "Kicking them while they are down"

Note: There are certain Wikipedia users who are unpopular, perhaps because of foolish or boorish behavior in the past. Such users may have been subject to disciplinary actions by the Arbitration Committee. It is only human to imagine that such users might be fair game for personal attacks. This notion is misguided. (added Fred Bauder 12:40, Dec 16, 2004 (UTC) )

Community spirit

It is your responsibility to foster and maintain a positive online community in Wikipedia. Personal attacks against any user - regardless of their past behaviour - is contrary to this spirit.

Suggestions of policy changes

See Talk page

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