Conversing Over the Divide: An Encounter Between Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
