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I have found that a fairly good antidote against polarization is to socialize with people that are different from me.
I guess I'm different enough that I have been able to do this. In liking and caring for all these different friends, neighbors, family members, coworkers, school parents, etc., I am less able to demonize groups of people.
However, I have also found those who rather don't interact with me at all. And that has been also educational, about me and about them.
In short, when you count among those you care about gays, lesbians, christians, muslims, jews, people born in different continents, cultures, speaking different languages, any statement of hate, gives you pause, as it should. And you grow skeptical of generalizations, as you must.
My advise? Go on and befriend those different from you and you shall be a radical, yet not a extremist!
