The truth is, I feel sorry for the Old Etonians. Everybody should

Host: The cool evening air wrapped itself around the city square, the glow of streetlights reflecting off the cobblestone paths. The sounds of nearby chatter and footsteps filled the air as Jack and Jeeny sat on a stone bench, watching the world move in its usual rhythm. Jack leaned back, his eyes fixed on the horizon, while Jeeny held her cup of tea with both hands, her fingers tracing the rim. The soft murmur of a distant conversation floated on the wind, blending with the rustling leaves. The conversation, as it often did, had taken a turn towards the politics of the day.

Jack: “You know, I get the whole point about privilege, but there’s something I don’t get. This whole assumption that the Old Etonians are all out of touch. Everyone assumes they’re born into power and that they don’t understand the struggles of the average person. But doesn’t that just play into the same stereotype we’re so eager to break?”

Jeeny: “I think it’s because people tend to demonize the rich, Jack. We look at them as if they’re automatically unqualified for any kind of leadership because of their background. But I think it’s dangerous to assume someone’s out of touch just because of where they come from. It’s more about what they do, not where they’re from.”

Host: The air seemed to shift as the conversation deepened, the weight of the words hanging in the space between them. Jack’s expression was thoughtful, but there was a touch of skepticism in his eyes as he looked at Jeeny. Her brow was furrowed slightly, her intense gaze fixed on him, as if she were determined to make him see things from another angle.

Jack: “But don’t you think that’s part of the problem? We’ve created this narrative that people from certain backgrounds, especially the Old Etonians, are inherently unqualified for anything because of their upbringing. Society has become so obsessed with fairness that we’ve turned it into a kind of fashion to discredit those in power. There’s this constant assumption that they’re out of touch — but what if they’re not? What if their background doesn’t make them any less capable of leading?”

Jeeny: “I think it’s a bit more complicated than that. It’s not just about discrediting people based on where they come from, Jack. It’s about the systems of power that have historically benefited the privileged. And the truth is, the more you get into these elite circles, the more you realize they’re often insulated from the struggles that the rest of us face. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have something valuable to offer.”

Host: The quiet between them thickened, as the weight of their conversation seemed to pull them both into deeper reflection. Jack shifted, his posture still relaxed but his thoughts clearly racing. Jeeny’s words hung in the air like a delicate thread, pulling them both toward the core of the issue.

Jack: “So, you think they’re just blind to the realities of the world? That they don’t see the inequality, the struggles of the working class? Isn’t that a bit too simplified? I mean, some of them have to be aware, right? We can’t just assume that everyone with a privileged background is out of touch, or that they’re unfit to lead because of it.”

Jeeny: “It’s not that they’re blind, Jack. But the truth is, it’s harder to understand the realities of the struggle when you’ve never had to face them. Sure, some people in these positions may be more self-aware, but many of them don’t have the lived experience that can help them understand the complexities of what they’re governing. That’s why it’s so important to have diverse voices in leadership, voices that reflect the broader population, voices that know what it means to fight for what’s right.”

Host: The evening’s quiet was now more profound, the shifting sounds of the city blending with their words. Jack’s eyes narrowed slightly, but the calmness in Jeeny’s voice seemed to settle the tension between them. The conversation wasn’t an argument; it was a search for something deeper, a deeper understanding.

Jack: “But that’s exactly what I mean. We’re so eager to label people based on where they come from or their background that we forget to look at the individual. We assume that someone from a wealthy background doesn’t understand hardship, doesn’t understand the plight of the common person. That’s not necessarily fair, is it? Merit should be what matters, not where someone went to school or how much money their family has.”

Jeeny: “You’re right about that. Merit should matter. But I think there’s a fine line between judging someone on their background and recognizing the systems of power that have allowed some to have access to more opportunities than others. It’s not about dismissing someone’s talent or intelligence, but it’s about making sure that people in leadership aren’t just representing their own narrow experiences. A good leader should have the ability to empathize with people from all walks of life.”

Host: The streetlights flickered briefly, their soft glow casting a hazy light across Jack and Jeeny. Jack’s hands rested on his knees, his fingers tapping lightly, as if he were considering Jeeny’s words in silence. She waited, her eyes gentle, allowing the conversation to breathe.

Jack: “I still think it’s wrong to assume that because someone comes from a certain place, they’re somehow less capable of understanding the complexities of government. The world’s a lot more nuanced than that. I feel like we’re doing the very thing we accuse the Old Etonians of doing — making assumptions based on their background, not their actions.”

Jeeny: “Maybe it’s not the assumption of their inability to lead that’s the issue. Maybe it’s the assumption that we’re all so blinded by power and privilege that we forget everyone, regardless of their background, should be held accountable. Maybe it’s not about whether someone is out of touch or not, but about whether they can really understand the people they’re leading. That’s where the real fairness lies.”

Host: The air had become still, as if the city itself were listening. The light from the streetlamps grew brighter, and the conversation between Jack and Jeeny slowed to a thoughtful murmur. There was an understanding between them now — a recognition that the issues at hand were more complicated than simply blaming one group or another. Both had seen that truth. The conversation didn’t end in agreement, but it ended with a shared understanding of the complexities beneath the surface, the nuance of the world they lived in.