I saw a chance to academically cooperate with an university in Dresden. I wanted to learn more about the city and found this: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50266955 (Sorry for a BBC link).
Information says that Dresden is far-right leaning. I am a Pole, and given that neo-nazi sentiments arise in Germany (e.g. the popularity of AfD), I decided to do not apply for this cooperation. Maybe academics are statistically less far-right and neo-nazi, maybe I use “collective responsibility”, but this simply disgust me.
The same can be said from many other political trends. Staline was a mass murderer too, but many communist downplay it a way or another.
In both case, they only see what they want to see. They don’t have the courage to go and see the other side viewpoint.
But if we don’t even make the effort to go and talk with them, can we even ask them to do the same?
No matter how extreme some people’s views can be, they are the result of their lives. Being a positive part of their life, while disagreeing with them, is also a way to convince them to consider changing their views.