>> Its a couple of different people with similar viewpoints. The bigger topics of debate lately are usually racism (especially recent protest movements) and healthcare, but abortion and LGBTQIA+ rights have come up occasionally too.<<
Facts are occasionally useful, at least in terms of disproving "X does not exist." But to get people to do anything you have to move them emotionally, which is harder.
>> I try to find things in them we'd agree on even if they're very basic and obvious things.<<
Good idea.
A very relevant one for racism: "If rational methods do not solve a problem, people will move on to less rational methods. So if you want them to use rational ones, you must make sure those work." But white people will ignore and abuse black people until there's a riot, and then whine about the riot.
>> Sexism... I can speak from experience. Trying to be an ally for some of the others... I try to present these issues well, and accurately. (I hope I succeed.) <<
As far as I can tell, you're doing a lot more to fix those problems than most people are.
Re: Well ...
Facts are occasionally useful, at least in terms of disproving "X does not exist." But to get people to do anything you have to move them emotionally, which is harder.
>> I try to find things in them we'd agree on even if they're very basic and obvious things.<<
Good idea.
A very relevant one for racism: "If rational methods do not solve a problem, people will move on to less rational methods. So if you want them to use rational ones, you must make sure those work." But white people will ignore and abuse black people until there's a riot, and then whine about the riot.
>> Sexism... I can speak from experience. Trying to be an ally for some of the others... I try to present these issues well, and accurately. (I hope I succeed.) <<
As far as I can tell, you're doing a lot more to fix those problems than most people are.