Dining Across the Divide: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported Green recently (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past 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 universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. 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 bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value 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 are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, 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 humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to people regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone 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 some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
