Conversing Across the Divide: An Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, now a student studying public health
Voting record Voted Green last time (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: 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 had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people every day whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there 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.
