Dining Across the Gap: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood 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 have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish 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 regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.