Conversing Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate 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 arrive and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
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 weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone 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 anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
