Dining Across the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? 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.
The big beef
Akshat I view migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, 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 same page, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
