This isn't the "what radicalized you" line of questioning. I always read those as the last straw. I'm more interested in your first steps.
I know everyone's journey is different.
Mine was realizing that despite being a complete asshole, I give a fuck about everyone.
I think you're right about both. I think for me it was after Obama's first year and I realized he was going to do nothing about the environment or climate change. I had just got a degree in a green job sector because supposedly that was a growth industry.