Dining Across the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to people every day whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
