Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a student focusing on public health
Voting record Supported Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write 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 the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. 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.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
