Gamu Nhengu and the context of justice

The campaign to save Gamu Nhengu from being deported - which is supported by someone even richer and more powerful than the Prime Minister - demonstrates the power of fame. Autonomous Mind says that it shows the “moronic cult of celebrity.” And Afua Hirsch says:

Once the media gives an "illegal immigrant" the privilege of a personality, neighbours who are willing to testify to their "hardworking" and friendly character, and a little bit of the X Factor, then they are transformed into something new - a human being.

There are two closely related mechanisms operating here.
One is our tendency to feel more altruistic towards those who communicate with us - and, by implication, less generous towards those who don’t.
The other, say Catherine Eckel and Philip Grossman is that “fairness and altruism require context: the circumstances of the recipient determine what is the fair or appropriate charitable action to take.” See also the work of Joe Oppenheimer and Norman Frohlich.
The typical immigrant is unknown to us, and lacks any context. Gamu, however, is contextualized, and so we feel better disposed towards her.
There are two implications here.
First, our degree of selfishness/altruism and our sense of justice are not fixed. In abstract contexts, we are harsher and more selfish than in concrete ones. Those people who are opposed to immigration in principle but sympathetic to Gamu are not behaving freakishly, but rather in accordance with what we know from experimental evidence.
Secondly, there are huge costs to being out of sight. Whether it be benefit claimants in the UK or the poor overseas, the mere fact of being anonymous means people are meaner towards you.

Comments

[Chris Purnell]

Surely all that this is saying is that I care more about the sick person next door more than the (anonymous) 2 million who die of AIDS. Disassociated 'caring' without a hook is literally impossible. There has to be a narrative underpinning the concept to act as an intellectual driver.

[john Terry's Mum]

I strongly recommend Nick Davies book "Dark Heart" an exploration of what is being hidden in Britain today. Beyond compelling.

[Ralph]

As the "X Factor" is now obviously an immigration status competition, rather than a singing one, I'm going to win it next year. I can't sing a note; but I've got the best Visa.

[x]

If she hadn't gone on the X Factor, then hardly anyone would care if she was deported or not.

[pat]

A bit like how I feel about groups of people and individuals of these groups. I find my self making gross generalisations about people, cultures, and nations but in reality when I meet said people from these groups, cultures, nations invariably get on with them. I think it goes the same way people behave in groups in ways they would never as an individual.

[ViX]

I don't know more about Britain,but when she sings that 'make you feel my love', I really cry, not for her story or anything, just deeply touched by her voice and emotion. It's a pity she has to leave.