How can we regain civility between amongst Americans after the most divisive election in my lifetime?

What I mean is, for those who voted for Trump, they have done something inexcusable

Do you think there's a possibility for difference between a Trump supporter and a Trump voter? How many Trump supporters can there really be if he won the GOP primary with a plurality?

that side is also anti-expert, anti-academia, and anti-research

There are examples of Democrat-aligned demographics that are anti-expert and anti-research. It can be argued that academia itself has fallen to the very type of partisanship that the OP prescribes. Those are different groups with different values.

that side

Do you see how easy it is to generalize and create an out group? Disagreeing with Trump supporters who wish to enact mass arrests on Muslims is one thing. Making the connection of those people to everyone who voted for Trump is another.

liberalism vs conservatism

This very argument you are making appears to be just that, though. A simple two-way dichotomy with little room for nuance and understanding.

If I say I will treat a Trump supporter with an open mind, I am lying.

Then you are very much an active participant in degrading civility. What practical use does that have? Or does it merely provide personal gratification and utility?

I am a person that would actually like to heal the divide in our country

Then do what needs to be done and go a little further in dissecting ideas and framing your perception of what you think of as an opponent.

/r/PoliticalDiscussion Thread Parent