🔗 Share this article Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives Introducing the Participants One Diner: Peter, 34, from London Occupation Former government employee, currently a student focusing on community health Voting record Voted Green recently (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist” Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry Political history Originally from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre” Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated” Initial impressions The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos. The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think 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 the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of London. Key disagreements The first participant I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned. The second participant He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation. The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily 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 became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out 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 think we must maintain a certain level of compassion. Sharing plate The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted. Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values. For afters Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. 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 United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities. Takeaways Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society. The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.