Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a learner studying community health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, 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 the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history 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 the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
