How could they prepare for 2 things they didn't know existed. It's like us preparing for an alien envision. It's not possible. We don't know what technology or biological warfare they would have. And the previous post is right. Who cares if you can read when you are starving. Besides just because they couldn't read or speak the pilgrim language that doesn't mean they were stupid. They had their own language and their own way of recording history(pictographs). That's like saying Chinese people are barbarians because they can't speak or read French. It's completely ridiculous.
And for the op I would suggest going on a relaxing run and keeping a cool head. Especially if you have children, I would kick out anyone who initiates physical conflict. It sends the wrong message. It is never ok for adults to fight physically except in self defense. Call the cops immediately. After all even if the person only means to give someone else a couple of bruises it can go bad quickly. It's always a possibility that you let the fight go on thinking it will end soon and someone trips and falls funny and breaks his spine/hip/femur /any unforeseeable serious injury.