Why am I bringing this up out of the blue? The Rwanda genocide happened over a 100 day period, during this time, fifteen years ago. I have a good friend who has traveled to Rwanda, I believe before the genocide of 1994 to do relief work. As most of us, when we travel to a place like that, it becomes special in our hearts. She has been so sweet for the last several days to communicate to her friends "Remembering Day XXX".
Again, I am embarrassed to admit, I don't even know basic details of the genocide. It all started with an airplane being shot out of the sky that had a prime minister on board. The plan was in place already to conduct the atrocities, but the assassination was the pulling of the trigger that started the whole mess.
What happened during that time? Over one hundred days, an estimated 1 million people were slaughtered. An estimated 250,000 women were raped. Millions survived, and live with the aftermath.
I won't give the one hundred day time line because my ignorance wouldn't do it justice. I am still educating myself. As a Christian, I feel a deep need to pay attention. So, I am hoping my little heartfelt recognition of these one hundred days does something to bring awareness of this horrific genocide. I also realize genocides tend to happen when people are not paying attention (ie Vietnam, Bosnia, Germany, etc). All of them have in common, the rest of the world wasn't paying attention. Specifically, those in power weren't paying attention. Those who could actually do something to make a huge difference in the outcome. In Rwanda's case, in my little opinion, the U.N. owes a lot of responsibility to what happened.
But if you want a really great resource to educate yourself, here is a great website that gives a very brief detail of the history of Rwanda's genocide. Click here.
Here is another spot on this page that gives a brief outline of the one hundred days. Click here.
Also, here is where your heart will break and also swell with joy. Stories of the survivors. This website is a great tribute to these people, their will to survive, and to continue on with dignity. Click here.
And so let me put it out there....I remember today, day 26.
2 comments:
Thank you for your acknowledgement. 15 years ago, international bodies, governments, and individual all failed to recognize the horror of the events unfolding in Rwanda. We all turned our backs on innocent men, women and children and decided it was someone else's problem. While our attention now does not make up for our indifference then, we can make an effort to help people pay more attention to the world- to all parts of the world, not just economically or politically strategic areas. As a country, if we are to be a true world power, that power comes with great responsibility. As individuals, we do have a voice, and can use it to stand up for what is right; we can use our voice to speak for those who do not have a voice. We have a moral responsibility to learn about our world, and take a stand. While the world said with regret "never again" after the Rwandan genocide, it has happened again, and is happening. Let's all pay attention.
I have been privileged enough to go to Rwanda both before and after the genocide. The one thing I would most want to convey about Rwanda is how amazing the people really are. They have a capacity for forgiveness and reconciliation that surpasses comprehension. We can all learn from them. I hope everyone will take a moment to read a few of the survivor testimonies, and be open to what they can learn from those lives. If we are open to it, it can be a very humbling and enlightening experience. While they work towards ongoing forgiveness and reconciliation, this 100 days is a difficult time for many Rwandans. Let's all be in prayer for them, and repentance for our failures of 15 years ago.
Today, I remember day 26.
And that is my friend I referred to in the post. Very passionate about remembering Rwanda's 100 day genocide.
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