Barry Lewis. Life in Margate: A Personal Journey

Barry Lewis.  The life and experiences of a long-time Margate resident, touching on themes of diversity, career paths, political activism, and community initiatives. Barry shares insights into their journey from market research to professional gambling, his commitment to social justice, and innovative solutions to food poverty. The discussion also highlights the importance of road safety and the need for authentic communication in politics, emphasizing grassroots movements as a catalyst for change. This conversation explores various themes including the importance of listening in politics, and complexities of the education system. The speakers discuss how advertising influences consumer behavior, the pursuit of happiness in relation to money, and the social role of food in community. They also touch on neurodiversity and the need for a more inclusive education system, as well as the significance of learning from history.

takeaways

• Margate's diversity is a unique aspect of the community.
• The speaker has a background in market research and professional gambling.
• He was the first anti-poll tax councillor in their area.
• Fighting social injustice is a personal mantra for the speaker.
• The Summer Kitchen Project was initiated to combat food poverty.
• Social supermarkets provide a non-judgmental shopping experience.
• Road safety initiatives have been implemented to protect children.
• Wellbeing is about perspective and accepting life's challenges.
• Change in politics often comes from grassroots movements rather than top-down initiatives.
• Listening is crucial in politics and understanding others.
• Substance use laws often reflect societal hypocrisy.
• Education should focus on learning rather than competition.
• Advertising manipulates consumer behavior and desires.
• Happiness is not solely derived from monetary wealth.
• The education system fails to accommodate diverse learning needs.
• Cultural perspectives shape our understanding of food and communication.
• Community meals foster equality and connection among people.
• History provides valuable lessons for the present and future.

Sound Bites

 

• "The diversity is unusual."
• "I was a professional gambler."
• "I was the first anti-poll tax councillor."
• "My mantra is to fight social injustice."
• "We set up the Summer Kitchen Project."
• "It's not judgmental, you just come in."
• "Life's about chapters."
• "Change comes from below."
• "You've got two ears and one mouth."
• "Prohibition has never worked in history."
• "Food is quite a great social equalizer."