A Failure to Act - Rwanda
We are watching the movie Sometimes is April. This post is different in that you will respond to questions based upon what you have seen in class. You can simply answer in same number format that is presented here if that is easier for you.
The genocide in Rwanda left many hundreds of thousands of Tutsi and moderate Hutu's dead. The reasons why genocide happens is complicated and confusing. Based upon what we watched so far in class, please respond to the following:
1. How did the radical Hutu's incite racist, genocidal actions among their followers (Give multiple examples)?
2. Augustine's wife points out that the new extreme govt. has published a decree that all Hutu soldiers cannot marry anyone other that a Hutu. Why is that important?
3. Why is control of the Radio Station so important to the Hutu movement?
1. 1. The radical Hutu's set up army-like camps where they trained them to kill. At the camp they sung songs and chanted about killing the Tutsi people. They supplied the followers with weapons to kill. Another thing the Hutu's did was force everyone to carry ID cards that identified them as a Hutu or a Tutsi. This is an example of symbolism. They also used dehumanization by calling the Tutsi's cockroaches. This further separated the two groups, leading to genocidal actions.
ReplyDelete2. The decree that all Hutu soldiers cannot marry anyone other than a Hutu is important because Augustine is a Hutu, but is married to a Tutsi. This is also important because it causes polarization, which further separates the groups and increases tension, making genocide difficult to avoid.
3. Control over the radio is very important to the Hutu's because it allows them to spread information, but more importantly, propaganda. The radio shares information about what is going on with the movement and encourages them to join. This source used by the Hutu's increases and spreads the hate.
1. The Hutu's were killing all the Tutsi's. One way they were able to get Hutu's on their side was through the radio. They used it as propoganda to kill all the Tutsi's. They also singled them out by making them carry ID cards that said their background.
ReplyDelete2. This was important because it stopped the race. They were trying to exterminate the Tutsi race and this was one way to stop it.
3. This was the only form of group communication. They were able to spread their one view, which was to kill the Tutsi's.