🔗 Share this article Dining Across the Divide: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives Introducing the Individuals First Participant: Peter, 34, London Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying community health Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of patriotic” Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre” Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated” Initial impressions Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos. The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London. The big beef Akshat I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty. The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country. Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives. The second participant 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. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which 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 have to have a degree of humanity. Common ground Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged. The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics. For afters The first participant Peter believes that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No. The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now. Final thoughts Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community. Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.