Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student focusing on public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as âleft, and globalist instead of nationalistâ
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as âsomewhat right of centreâ
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write Urdu. âI have no use for it, I was just fascinatedâ
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, Iâve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured â we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters â seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; Iâve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I donât think it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby you canât bring your family over, itâs incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peterâs sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, 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 â government, the media â thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Letâs say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I donât think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peterâs concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didnât persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in future.
