OK, I can accept that you didn't know, and that you don't intend to cross the line, but that just indicates you're not aware of what's expected here and you need to learn, and to make an ongoing effort to stay well inside the bounds.
A line like “Whether it's slaves or illegals, it's still wrong” will always be classed as an inflammatory statement on HN.
> I never attack a person directly
That style of rhetoric in the reply is hostile to the parent; we often don't know how hostile our words can seem to the person on the receiving end of them; they don't seem so bad when they're just thoughts in our own mind.
> even though I have witnessed it being done and others have done it to me.
You should flag things or report them to us at hn@ycombinator.com so we can investigate and act where needed.
I'm aware of my run ins with you and dang and regret hitting that threshold, but it's never intentional.
I never attack a person directly, even though I have witnessed it being done and others have done it to me.