Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in future.
