Joanne, 52, SouthamptonView image in fullscreenOccupationKnowledge managerVoting recordDoesn’t have a party political preference, tends to focus on local issues – but mostly LabourAmuse boucheIs a huge football fan, and held a Charlton Athletic season ticket for 20 yearsJane, 58, WinchesterView image in fullscreenOccupationA little bit of property developmentVoting recordNormally Conservative; wouldn’t vote Reform, would deviate for the Lib Dems, particularly locallyAmuse boucheStarted her own kindergarten, and later a daycare nursery business, to develop a Froebelian approach. It’s a more natural philosophy, very much about the outdoors and communityFor startersJaneI wasn’t late, but I’m never early. She looked like a person who’s always early and prepared. She was friendly, smiling. She didn’t look like a person I’d be meeting normally, but not in a terrible way, just different.JoanneShe seemed, I think, a little bit wary. Nervous of the whole situation. I felt OK. For me, it was just: I’m going to have a nice dinner and a chat.JaneI ate pear salad, which was delicious – the blue cheese in it, I think it was dolcelatte, was so good. Then I had salmon, and a glass of rioja.JoanneI had spicy pepper and tomato soup and sea bass.View image in fullscreenThe big beefJoanneWe’d both done a bit of research: what actually is “woke” and what does it mean? We came to similar viewpoints – that it’s been overused, and it’s grown to become anything and everything. For me, the people who use the word, use it in a negative way. Whereas I think the traditional meaning was often “anti-racist” – and why is it bad to be anti-racist?Dining across the divide: ‘He couldn’t see that we were actually disagreeing’Read moreJaneIt was interesting that it meant something different to each of us, because we’re similar ages. I think we came from slightly different experiences. My father is Sri Lankan, so I had a different background. Not that I feel strongly about that.JoanneShe didn’t think, for example, if there was a period drama, there should be people cast who weren’t white, because it wouldn’t fit in with the period. Whereas, for me, if they’re a good actor, I don’t care what colour someone is. As long as they convince you that they are the character they’re playing, that’s fine. I could see her point: if you’re making a historically accurate programme, then it has to be accurate. But I don’t really agree. If it’s a drama, it doesn’t matter.JaneWe also talked about people who want to discredit the past, and there’s a lot to be ashamed of. But you can’t really undo it, it is what it is. Bring the truth to light, learn from it, but don’t think you can undo it. Equally, it was a long time ago, and there were people doing the best they could in the circumstances.View image in fullscreenSharing plateJoanneWe talked a bit about James Bond, and whether Idris Elba should have been cast. Some of the papers were outraged. And we laughed about that, we said it was ridiculous.JaneI felt that the best thing would be an Asian female James Bond. Going back to my period drama thing – James Bond isn’t in period now, is he? So we have to update the casting.View image in fullscreenFor aftersJaneI was inclined to think second homes were a good thing – even though I can see there are negative effects where they take over, it still gives people the opportunity to visit a place they might not otherwise see.JoanneMy dad lives in a seaside area, and it’s really sad. Most of the houses are empty except for two or three weeks of the year; businesses can’t stay open. She was leaning more towards “it should be allowed as long as the owners rent it out regularly”. And I could see that point of view, but, for me, it’s really sad: these little places are struggling, they’re dying, and they’re beautiful.JaneThere is a huge amount of legislation to maintain communities already, which I think is a good thing.View image in fullscreenTakeawaysJoanneWe actually had a really nice night. Both of us are middle-aged women, we don’t have children, we have a similar lifestyle. I’d definitely stop and chat if I saw her again.JaneWe were different enough not to be exchanging numbers, but alike enough that we’d talk if we saw each other again.View image in fullscreenAdditional reporting: Kitty DrakeJane and Joanne ate atThe Old Vinein WinchesterWant to meet someone from across the divide?Find out how to take part
Dining across the divide: ‘We both feel the word woke has been overused’
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Two Women Discuss Divergent Views on Social Issues Over Dinner"
The Guardian
7.5
TruthLens AI Summary
In a recent dining experience, two women from different backgrounds, Joanne and Jane, engaged in a candid conversation about their perspectives on various social issues. Joanne, a knowledge manager from Southampton, and Jane, a property developer from Winchester, found themselves discussing the term 'woke.' Both women agreed that the term has been overused in contemporary discourse, evolving to encompass a wide array of meanings. While Joanne viewed 'woke' as fundamentally rooted in anti-racism, she noted that its current usage often carries negative connotations. Jane, who has a Sri Lankan heritage, reflected on how their differing backgrounds influenced their understanding of the term. Despite their agreement on the term's overuse, they recognized that their experiences shaped their viewpoints, particularly regarding representation in media and historical accuracy. Joanne expressed her belief that casting should focus on talent rather than race, while Jane maintained that historical dramas should reflect the time period accurately, underscoring the complexities of their discussion.
The conversation continued as they delved into topics such as the portrayal of characters in modern media, with both women laughing about the controversy surrounding Idris Elba's potential casting as James Bond. They each brought unique perspectives, with Jane advocating for more diverse casting to reflect contemporary society, while Joanne suggested that the essence of a character should take precedence over race. They also touched on the issue of second homes in local communities, where Joanne expressed concern over the impact of empty houses on small businesses, contrasting with Jane's more favorable view of second homes as beneficial for tourism. Ultimately, despite their differing opinions, both women appreciated the opportunity to share their thoughts, resulting in a pleasant evening filled with meaningful dialogue. They recognized that while they might not become close friends, their shared experiences as middle-aged women without children created a basis for future encounters, should their paths cross again.
TruthLens AI Analysis
This piece presents a conversation between two individuals with differing political leanings, Joanne and Jane, who discuss the term "woke" over dinner. The article is part of a series aimed at bridging divides by facilitating dialogue between people with contrasting views. The tone is neutral, focusing on personal perspectives rather than pushing a specific agenda.
Perspective on the Term "Woke"
Both participants agree that the word "woke" has been overused and distorted. Joanne, who leans Labour, associates it with anti-racism and questions why being "anti-racist" is often framed negatively. Jane, a Conservative voter, acknowledges the term's evolving meaning but doesn't express strong personal stakes in the debate. Their discussion highlights how political language can become divisive even when individuals share common ground.
Purpose of the Article
The piece appears designed to promote understanding across political divides by showcasing a civil exchange. It avoids sensationalism, instead emphasizing shared human experiences (like enjoying food) to soften ideological differences. This aligns with a broader media trend of fostering dialogue in polarized times, though it doesn't delve deeply into systemic issues.
Potential Manipulation or Bias
The article leans slightly toward normalizing skepticism about the term "woke" by framing its overuse as a consensus. While not overtly manipulative, it subtly reinforces a narrative that critiques of "wokeness" are reasonable rather than examining the term's political weaponization. The lack of historical context about the term's origins in Black activism might obscure its deeper significance.
Target Audience and Impact
Likely aimed at moderate readers weary of cultural battles, the piece appeals to those seeking civility in discourse. It’s unlikely to influence markets or geopolitics directly but may resonate with centrist communities. The publication’s approach suggests an effort to position itself as a neutral platform, though its selection of topics (like "woke") often reflects mainstream media preoccupations.
AI Involvement and Style
There’s no clear evidence of AI-generated content, but the structured format (e.g., "Amuse bouche," "The big beef") mirrors algorithmic storytelling techniques. If AI were involved, it might streamline dialogue curation while avoiding overt bias—though human editors likely shaped the narrative’s tone.
Credibility Assessment
The article is credible as a human-interest piece but lacks depth in contextual analysis. Its value lies in documenting personal perspectives rather than investigative rigor. The neutral framing avoids misinformation but may oversimplify complex debates by prioritizing harmony over nuance.