Conversing Over the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use 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 odd to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day with opinions are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in the coming times.
