Dining Over the Divide: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported Green recently (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe 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 US and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding 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 believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
