Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration 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.
Peter He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain 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 anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby 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 certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: 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 Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
