Conversing Over the Gap: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a student studying public health
Voting record Voted Green recently (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years 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 NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with others in future.
