Conversing Across the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. 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 exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
The second participant 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 permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
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 dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
