Dining Over the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a student focusing on community health
Political history 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 sketch of a tea cup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, 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 weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in future.
