Conversing Over the Gap: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner studying community health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less 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 split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to 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 should only go 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 come over and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
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.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, 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 drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
