Conversing Across the Divide: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, now a learner studying community health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, 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 understand 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 US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely 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 had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration 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.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
