Absolutely agreed.
My point was about the attitude that they cannot possibly be persuaded. We are all very quick to attribute characteristics to every member of the opposition that are only deeply held by the most pernicious of them, with the others not really caring.
Embracing the attitude of “there exists irredeemables” can only lead to one final conclusion, and it’s not a pretty one.
At least for myself, writing off a significant segment of the population is more a way of absolving myself of my responsibility of talking with people whose attitudes are different from mine despite the help it might bring in getting better policy. It’s the intersection of my personal laziness with my brains desire to stereotype groups that I don’t interact with.
As an aside, oddly enough in studies, Republican supporters tend to be more accurate (although not terribly accurate) about how Democrat supporters would answer a survey than Democrats were capable of predicting what Republicans would answer.
Indeed. And certainly crafting a platform that has no appeal for racists is necessary and desirable. But I think you’d find much of Trump’s support simply doesn’t care about racism. The crossover between would-be Sanders voters and Trump voters was not zero.
And while not caring about racism is pretty large character flaw, I’d say it’s one that can be brought into the fold.
And since leaders have influence, I’d rather them following someone who encourages their better natures rather than a leader that is served by their basest fears.
