Date: 2006-09-18 12:48 am (UTC)
Interestingly, I was in Rwanda following the genocide of April 1994. It was August and there was still evidence being preserved of what had gone on. Now the racism there was between two cultures that had been in conflict for many generations, but I don't know exactly how long. I do know that the Hutu and Tutsis had/have some very similar things to say about each other as far as how awful the "other" is and the things they say sound remarkably similar to what you'll find in that book. They are both catholic though, this is clan/racial/cultural.
What stays with me long after that trip (I work in news) was the question I put to myself and others, could this happen here? Clearly we aren't different from the Rwandans as humans. Why did the people participate? Why did some sit by quietly? Why did a few people stand out as heroes? Which one would I be?
The answer to the first question, that which lets me sleep at night is: it was believed to be in the interest of those in power to stoke the flames of hatred and to work hard at dividing the two groups. When the time came to set the match to the tinder, the sparks were ready. Does that exist in America? There are many divisions, but for the people in power (or who want power) to get us up into a lather would take some doing. When WWII was on, there was the internment of the Japanese and there was scattered violence against Germans and those misidentified as German. That's as close as we've gotten, in my opinion. (Today I mean, hundreds of years of slavery counts as a form of genocide.)
That I don't know the answer to the rest of my questions still keeps me up at night. I'd hope to be someone who stands against the lie, stands with those unjustly treated... but would I? If I directly benefited? What if I was in the effected group? Would I kneel in front of the machete or hide in my garden? Do you have any answers?
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