"One thing I don't think people realize is that in arguments about human rights, it's not about trying to persuade the other party. It's not about them at all. They've already made up their mind.

It's about persuading the audience.

If I call out my teacher on being homophobic I'm not trying to change his opinion. I'm trying to convince any closeted kids in the room that they're not the monsters he's made them out to be.

If I argue with my aunt about how racist she's being it's not because I expect her to change her mind. It's because I'm hoping to god my cousin's kids hear and learn that maybe skin color doesn't mean what she says it means.

People will try to hush you and say 'they're not going to change their minds, don't bother' but it's not about them. It was never about them."

-sepulchritude

@antifaintl

Fair point, but you might not want to give up hope for these people. I don’t know your teacher or your aunt, but generally, people will automatically argue back if you put them on the defensive.
Sometimes though (not always), after your points have had time to percolate through their brains, they might grudgingly accept some of them.
(Damned if they’ll admit it to YOU, though.)