Conversing Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to people every day whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.