In a crowded restaurant, Lucas and Rose-Marie found themselves sitting across from each other. They then jumped into a deep and soulful conversation that traversed the political and personal arenas. Their back-and-forth exposed the deep divides that exist between their viewpoints on issues facing us today and how experiences and backgrounds inform each of our world views.
Lucas runs art projects for the NHS and regularly makes the trip to Manchester to perform with the performance art collective Carnifolk. He communicated his ideas about political action with an inspiring and invigorating sense of urgency. He wrote about his voting record, saying he will be ashamed of the vote he casts for Labour in the next election in 2024. Now, he is making serious calculations about switching to the Green Party or Your Party for the next election.
Lucas added, noting his frustration over the lack of new thinking in today’s hyperpolarized political environment.
On the other side of the table, Rose-Marie spoke from experience. She is a retired Renaissance woman with an incredibly diverse career from the police department, newspaper and hotel inspection. She has always been one to vote Conservative. In reality, she confessed, she left her party due to their response to the Covid-19 pandemic. For Rose-Marie, voting Conservative in the last federal election wasn’t an easy decision.
“After how they handled the crisis, I just couldn’t vote for them,” she said bluntly.
A Culinary Experience with Political Flavor
As their discussion progressed, these dishes clearly provided a metaphorical canvas for the artists’ conversation. Rose-Marie enjoyed a chili prawn meal with chicken sweet and sour, plus two glasses of wine. While we didn’t find out what Lucas chose to eat, we did learn that the dining experience certainly contributed to making their conversation dynamic.
The energy in the room was electric with passion and conviction. Lucas described his distaste for former President Donald Trump, calling him “a ghoulish creature of the village” for his impact on American politics. His vivid imagery inspired an entire generation to see this monstrous, unsettling presence that has left so many marginalized with feelings of unease.
Rose-Marie’s criticism of Lucas’s zeal was biting. At one point, “it seemed like he was reading a textbook on Trotsky while he was flailing his arms,” she said. The depth of his delivery sometimes distracted from the lack of substance to his arguments.
Reflections on Historical Events
Their conversation also veered into historical territory. Lucas brought out other key turning points such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. From these examples, he illustrated how extreme and divergent domestic political environments can influence national security and affect public perception. These historical anecdotes were just enough to remind us how treacherous the waters of political decision making can be.
Rose-Marie waited patiently as she listened, sometimes offering a nod of affirmation and then countering with her own thoughts. She pointed out the urgent need to manage our natural resources wisely. “Scotland has a sea full of oil and gas,” she continued, “and we can use those while we address our energy issues.” Her pragmatic approach underscored her belief in utilizing available resources while acknowledging the need for sustainable solutions.
Bridging Divides Through Dialogue
Though they clearly disagreed on many aspects, civic imagination prevailed to ensure that both Lucas and Rose-Marie appreciated the chance to have an honest discussion. Their exchange illustrated the way that lived experience impacts political ideology, molding unique individual decisions at the polls.
The intersection of Lucas’s activism and health care work creates a rich counterpoint to Rose-Marie’s broad career path and old school conservative voting history. Still, they both illustrate a longing for effective action and a shift towards more sustainable thinking inside of their respective political worlds.
As they ate lunch, it was clear that their negotiation wouldn’t resolve their rift. Rather, it increased their mutual appreciation for the other’s perspective.