Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Voted Green recently (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. 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 was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed 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, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
