Conversing Across the Gap: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had 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 excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay 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 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
