Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former government employee, currently a student studying public health
Political history Voted Green recently (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “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 the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less 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 drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.
