Coffee Talk #24: Walls of Heartbreak (Part 1)

A few weeks ago I saw footage of a young adult, in southern Gaza, at the border with Egypt. He had climbed on top of a structure, and it looked like he was trying to squeeze himself through the fence. His right leg, right arm, and part of his torso were already through, and by the looks of it, squeezing his head through would pose as the only physical obstacle that stood in his way. Whether or not he was hesitant because of heavy surveillance on the other side of the fence, I could not tell.

These images are a window, portraying the current reality of life for a very large group of people. Immediately while seeing this young man’s attempt, I was reminded of a similar image, taken a few years ago already. Not in the Middle East, but in Northern Africa’s Morocco. Where a similar wall forms a heavily guarded barrier between a large stretch of Morrocco on one side, and a small patch of Spain on the other.

Men desperately trying to reach the other side, litterally claiming their entry onto European soil when both feet have touched the ground. A young adult set out to see how far his luck would take him, in a desperate attempt to climb over the first fence. I have no idea how high it actually is, but the picture showed he was well beyond the reach of the men standing on the ground. His luck ran out when he reached the barb-wired top, in which he got stuck.

I no longer recall for how long he was up there. But given the fact that these men are very likely to have suffered a tremendous ordeal already. Malnourishment and mistreatment being part of every step of the way before reaching this destination, which could have easily taken them weeks or even months. It doesn’t take any effort to imagine these men are both physically as well as mentally drained. Exposure to the scorching heat could be a destructive blow. The Spanish guards who rescued him, kept him on their grounds for a while to make sure he was alright, only to escort him back to the side of the fence he came from. His face down, severely depleted, carrying two bottles of water the guards gave him to avoid dehydration.

These images of erected walls, designed to keep people on one side from crossing over, illustrate the heartbreak. Regardless of the continent they’re in. These images illustrate the heartbreak, because of the conditions that led to these structures being built, because of what these structures have caused, and because of what these structures have established. Indeed, for a certain group of people there can be a sense of achievement and pride attributed to these erected barriers. But personally, I cannot see that dealing in such heartbreak can be part of any sustainable solution. Regardless of the location. Period.

Having a physical barrier that divides people, automatically establishes the reality that one group is free while the other is not. One group is secure, while the other is not. One group has more, while the other has less. One group is humanised, while the other is not. This transcends worldwide, and is not specific to a certain area.

Back to the young man in southern Gaza, as well as other Gazans, I can only hope aid trucks and air drops are coming through right now. But based on the recent developments I’ve seen and read about since I saw the footage he was in, I’m very well aware that this is wishful thinking. The heartbreaking conditions these people have been in for months on end, are deteriorating further and further, without a possible end to this madness in sight.

History is painstakingly repeating itself, with targeted exclusion and oppression being painstakingly evident. For the world to see. Broadcasted live.

To be continued. No coffee today.