This is so great—perfectly describes what I think is one of the largest challenges in being an activist in such a heated and violent climate. I struggle every day with learning how to communicate and engage with the people I’ve been told are my enemies. Learning to give people the benefit of the doubt and talk to them as humans. Of course it is not always possible to communicate when someone is threatening you, but learning to walk away rather than stooping to their level is difficult.
Yes, it does indeed take some skills. You are not the only one to bring up that topic. Perhaps the subject of another post to write. :) thank you @malloryblythe for commenting and sharing your thoughts and feelings. I appreciate that very much.
I always try to play the empathy game. I imagine if I were someone who completely disagreed with me about something—I’ll invent an entire character with a backstory if I have to—and I try to come up with a reason that someone would feel that way that isn’t inherently hateful or full of bad intentions. I usually am able to do it. Of course there are positions that are completely hateful and it’s impossible to rationalize them no matter how hard you try. Once in a blue moon if I come from that perspective I succeed in at least getting someone to see it from my side. It’s better than screaming at your computer monitor, at least.