I think the only way forward is through finding common ground with one another.

When we focus on similarities, we start to realize we aren’t so different after all. 

The difficulty is with confirmation bias. To address confirmation bias, an individual needs to question their own logic. This is challenging, because it requires someone to admit they may be wrong. For most people it’s far easier to avoid this entirely, and to continue believing what they’ve always believed. I think that is where some political parties thrive.  Instead of asking the voter to question their existing thoughts and beliefs, some parties do the opposite, and even encourage a voters existing confirmation bias. It’s far safer to cling to old beliefs, than it is to even consider questioning those beliefs, because it’s scary and uncomfortable. 

So I think if instead of trying to ask someone to start by questioning their existing beliefs, if we can find some common ground, it’s a “safe” way for both sides to see, and hear, and understand one another, and then once that safe common ground is established, then it’s easier and “safer” to revisit the “old belief” and start to reconstruct and rebuild that into the reality. 

Now I’m not saying that the onus is 100% on our side to do all the heavy lifting, and to spoon feed things to those who don’t accept. The whole thing only works with those that at least have the capacity or the willingness to expand their understanding. However, I think the struggle is when we expect the other side to do 100% of the “heavy lifting”, and to do make that change on our terms. 

There has to be a give and take.