UNLV professor Michael Green has taught history and honors courses at the university for several years now. He has written books on the Civil War era and is editing other books based on history. After studying and teaching difficult topics ranging from slavery and emancipation to themes in American Civilization, it is inevitable that the man has formed opinions on the historical progress that America has made, especially with our 45th President.

Green has recently issued an apology for a Facebook post he made, calling President Donald Trump a "syphilitic Nazi in the white man's house." He posted his statement to a congressman's Facebook page, so his words were available to the general public.

Now, of course, I personally am not happy with many of the things that Trump has said and done during or before taking office, but I remember standing in the crowds surrounding CNN and MSNBC when the last presidential debate came to UNLV, feeling uncomfortable and angered with the crude words said from all parties towards the candidates.

What did name-calling really do to the candidates? What did it actually do for them? These ad hominem attacks were illogical. I would have much more sympathy and be much more willing to listen if the arguments were about their policies, but I cannot stand behind an opinion based solely on how bad someone's hair is or how crooked the other is.

While I do see where Green's words came from, having experienced the anger and frustration that came with this election, I still do not understand why he—a college professor that teaches impressionable, young students—would post something like that on social media. It is so easily accessible for college students and easily spread. If you're looking to change things with words, teach your students history so they can change the future.