Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Among Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a student studying community health
Political history Voted Green recently (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. 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 anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained 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 dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
