Conversing Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, now a student studying community health
Voting record Supported Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
