Conversing Across the Gap: A Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a student studying public health
Political history Supported Green recently (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. 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 restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion.
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.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people every day whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order 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 had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
