Dining Across the Gap: A Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize 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 bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at 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 either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom 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 prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
