Conversing Across the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a student focusing on public health
Voting record Voted Green last time (also a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 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 supported the Conservative Party. 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 was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life 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, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, 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. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view migration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter 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 get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter 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 could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
