Ceuta: lack of humanity reopens Spain's do-gooder debate
A Cadena Ser remark about Ceuta has reignited the clash between humanitarianism and border control in Spain. A single figure, 40,000, floats through the debate with no context.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Ceuta: the problem is a lack of humanity, say the do-gooders
Picture the border of Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in North Africa: a fence, an autonomous city, and a remark that landed like a slap. "The problem in Ceuta is the lack of humanity," declared Cadena Ser. The reaction was swift, and not exactly applause.
Those who oppose the humanitarian narrative respond with irony: if humanity is lacking, those preaching it should start by opening their own homes. Public officials who demand solidarity without leading by example come in for criticism. The accusation of "do-gooding" — that attitude which avoids firm decisions under a veneer of sarracena — hangs over every intervention.
Do-gooding as an alibi
The term, popularized in political debate, is used to defuse any criticism that puts rights ahead of control. In this dispute, do-gooding becomes the perfect alibi for avoiding any talk of figures or management. The argument goes that abstract humanitarianism does not solve migratory pressure, and that the lack of humanity is not just a matter of attitude, but of resources.
The figure nobody contextualizes
Throughout the controversy, the only figure circulating is 40,000, with no source and no context. It is proof that the debate is being fought on the terrain of principles, not data. While some talk of humanity, others talk of invasion, and nobody provides an official statistic on arrivals.
The problem in Ceuta might be a lack of humanity. Or a lack of data. Or, quite simply, the inability to agree on what the word "humanity" means when there is a fence in the way.
Picture the border of Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in North Africa: a fence, an autonomous city, and a remark that landed like a slap. "The problem in Ceuta is the lack of humanity," declared Cadena Ser. The reaction was swift, and not exactly applause.
Those who oppose the humanitarian narrative respond with irony: if humanity is lacking, those preaching it should start by opening their own homes. Public officials who demand solidarity without leading by example come in for criticism. The accusation of "do-gooding" — that attitude which avoids firm decisions under a veneer of sarracena — hangs over every intervention.
Do-gooding as an alibi
The term, popularized in political debate, is used to defuse any criticism that puts rights ahead of control. In this dispute, do-gooding becomes the perfect alibi for avoiding any talk of figures or management. The argument goes that abstract humanitarianism does not solve migratory pressure, and that the lack of humanity is not just a matter of attitude, but of resources.
The figure nobody contextualizes
Throughout the controversy, the only figure circulating is 40,000, with no source and no context. It is proof that the debate is being fought on the terrain of principles, not data. While some talk of humanity, others talk of invasion, and nobody provides an official statistic on arrivals.
The problem in Ceuta might be a lack of humanity. Or a lack of data. Or, quite simply, the inability to agree on what the word "humanity" means when there is a fence in the way.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (23 replies).
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