Dining Over the Divide: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view migration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to people regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
