Conversing Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration like adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to 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 opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like 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 since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, 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 questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
