Dining Over the Gap: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Former government employee, currently a student focusing on community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat 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’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit 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 relatives.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
