Just be polite and keep an open mind. Listen to others as you would expect them to listen to you. Compliment your antagonists whenever you can and be magnamenous.

Or you can keep your yap shut and not act like a self-important cunt while finally growing up and realizing that everything doesn't have to be about you?
Yeah. I know that's a pretty tough concept for the drama queens and primadonnas here at the Stranger.

Why not just not go? So many articles about how to survive this holiday with hateful people who are going to stress you out and not one offers the option: DON'T GO. STAY HOME. VOLUNTEER. TRAVEL TO NORTH DAKOTA AND HELP SUPPORT THOSE PROTESTING THE DAPL. GO OUT FOR A MEAL. HAVE A MEAL WITH LIKE MINDED FRIENDS WHO YOU WON'T HAVE TO ARGUE WITH OR "DEAL WITH" WHILE WISHING YOU WERE SOMEWHERE ELSE. Seriously, get a grip. There are so many things one can do besides spending time with people you don't want to spend time with just because we all for some reason expect that's what we should do. Family is found through bond, not blood. Some of the best Thanksgivings of my life were with friends in Seattle. And one year, I made myself a veggie lasagna and binge watched a season of the Sopranos (to be fair I did have a retail job that year and I had to work the next day, so I couldn't travel home to be with my family, who I would not have fought with and would have enjoyed seeing. I actually called them 4 times that day).

Q: How racist is that cartoon?
A: Not at all because the Stranger staffers have too much moral virtue to be racist you filthy deplorable.

@2
You mean be a spineless coward when confronted with someone who wants to dehumanize my friends and neighbors?

Please tell me you don't have children.

@5 I'm guessing he has adult children who have had to cut him off, unfortunately.

What about.... Honoring the spirit of the holiday by finding things we are actually grateful for and sharing that with each other? I've spent the last couple of weeks reeling around in horror and babbling incoherently (and calling my representatives, and going to marches, and organizing events, and and and...). I really feel ready to take a 24-hour break from all that and just be grateful to have a huge amount of delicious food and a nice roof over my head, and people to share it with. I can go back into action-mode on Friday. We don't have to take EVERY SINGLE opportunity to start a discussion (or a fight). It's really okay to take a day off.

I love how every liberal blog posts this EXACT SAME article every Thanksgiving. Dammit Ansel I thought you were more original than this cut-and-paste hack job pandering.

@3 has got it right. If your family lacks the self-awareness to be embarrassed about their votes for Trump, save your Thanksgiving feast for your friends or the homeless. Save your precious time off to actually relax and go somewhere you like with people who aren't ignorant trash. Even if you do want to see them, take it from me, it's always better to visit at a lower-key time than major holidays.

@3 xina: Thanks for your spot on good suggestions. I am traditionally doing just that; staying home and quietly counting blessings while avoiding those in my immediate family who are unhealthy to be around. Bless all of you who are in North Dakota protesting and / or are supporting the protesters fighting against the pipeline. I stand with Standing Rock, and made a small donation.
@8 gueralinda: Amen! I appoint you official winner of this thread, and wishing a safe, sane, and healthy Thanksgiving to all.

Just read them your Wizard of Id fan faction and when it time to go home follow them out and hit them in the back of the head with a mace.