I think the best way to go if someone delivers toxic diatribes is to BLOCK them. I don't think you should worry about hurting other people's feelings. I think if you express yourself authentically you are doing the right thing and it is for the reader to take responsibility for their own reactions: it's not something we, as writers, have any control over.
Side note:
I think there is a different way to "teach" Medium about which artices you like or don't. There is a button for "see more like this" and "see less like this" - i shall try and hunt down where it is and maybe do a post. Thanks for your thoughtful response and sorry you have been on the receving end of unpleasant responses. A🙏💚