Dining Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a learner focusing on community health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (also a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation 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 “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. 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 was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. 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 could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
