Dining Across the Divide: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact He self-learned to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think 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 Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
