Conversing Across the Gap: A Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat 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
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish 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 preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people 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 money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in future.
