Dining Across the Gap: A Meeting Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Supported Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about 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 engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. 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 must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in future.
