Its not a question about guts. Rather its a question of whether you want to break off ties. Of course you don't want to show people that they got to you.
Its easy to break face with people. But, I think we just have to realize that people will be people. I answered in context of people who drive you insane.
And you really want to say something, but have self control. However, if there something I need to tell someone in terms of a necessity for that person to know my opinion. And if its a win win situation then I might consider it.
Even if initially they might be upset. However, you have to know when you might be in a situation of "don't shoot the messenger".
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.