Conversing Over the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances 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 your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view 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 really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
