Conversing Across the Divide: An Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a student studying community health
Political history Supported Green recently (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, 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 salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant 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 for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve 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 talk to people every day with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
