I agree, @cryptogee's suggestion is a very good one and I imagine it can have an opening impact on a potentially divisive situation.
I too have witnessed so many tricky interactions and disagreements in person and in cyberspace and they always throw me for a loop. It's a miracle when civil discourse can happen but so essential! We need to connect as humans more than ever and so many of us are silenced in the face of the spite that's out there.
One on one we have a better chance of connecting and hearing each other but it's a mine field. It frightens me when I know no one is speaking when everyone is uncomfortable, as you 've said this is dejavu from very scary times in history.
Thanks for your comment and insights, good to know we are all in it together!