Dining Over the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, 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 US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay 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 believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
