Is this not normal? If you treat people kindly and with respect, they’re more likely to respect you back and treat you kindly. This common courtesy establishes a level of trust where others are more willing to listen to what you have to say. This is the only way people can ever change their minds.

I have never seen any instance of anyone changing their minds because others were demonizing them and making fun of them. I feel like the people who advocate for others to be dicks to people like this guy tend to be major assholes themselves, and these people are big part of the problem. Yet that views is becoming more and more common. So props to you for treating this guy like person, you might think much of it, but your interactions with him might very well be the reason why he even has the chance of coming around.