Africa
is a continent known for its rich natural resources, but it is a continent that
is also known for the violence that taints both the past and the present. The
continent has a history of being abused by western powers that were after its
resources. In the process, these western powers instituted many policies that
would have a lasting effect on the nations that they would soon leave at the
end of colonization. Even after their independence from colonial powers, many
of nations that comprise Africa were hounded by problems that were caused by
their colonizers. Such is the case of Rwanda, whose long history under the
Belgians would eventually lead up to the genocide that happened in 1994. This
was chronicled in the film Hotel Rwanda
that was directed by Terry George. The film tells that story of a hotelier
named Paul Rusesabagina, who used his position in order to shield may Tutsis
from the genocide occurring outside the gates of his hotel (Hotel Rwanda). The film not only speaks
of the heroism that the protagonist displayed in real life but also the effects
of ethnic conflict and human rights violations that the world seemingly turned
a blind eye to.
The
lead up to the genocide that happened in Rwanda in 1994 has roots deep in the
nation’s history. Rwanda is a nation that is divided into two ethnic groups,
the majority Hutus and the minority Tutsis. The tension that sparked the genocide
came from a time when the nation was still under the power of the Belgians, who
found that the Tutsis, who were tall and slender in build were superior to the
Hutus, who were short and stocky (Mboti 323). As such, it became common for
many Tutsis to hold positions of power under their regime. This seemingly
arbitrary decision would eventually build resentment among the Hutus. By the
time of their independence, power had resided among the Tutsis who held
positions of power. However, the independence would eventually ensconce Hutus
into power.
The
years of resentment against the Tutsis would eventually build up. This was
despite the fact that Hutus were already in power, and were the majority in
Rwanda. This was quite peculiar because even though one would say that they
were ethnically different, the two ethnic groups were technically not different
because they came from the same Bantu stock that migrated into the region
thousands of years before. The only real distinction was that of class, because
the Tutsis were cattle herders, while the Hutus tilled the land (Mboti 320).
However, this class distinction would eventually come to fore at the arrival of
the Belgians, who as earlier stated would install Tutsis in positions of power.
This built up resentment and would eventually lead up to the point where Tutsis
would be blamed for the problems of the young Rwandan nation. Power in this
case transferred from the minority Tutsis to the majority Hutus.
This would eventually blow out of
proportion when Juvénal Habyarimana and Cyprien Ntaryamira were assassinated
and the blame thrown against Tutsis. The speed at which the violence escalated
was remarkable because an estimated 200,000 Hutus had managed to decimate over
half a million Tutsis (Waldorf 103). The speed at which it was executed spoke
of a deep-seated resentment that had built up over decades. The power the
Tutsis held over the Hutus in the past was no match for the hatred and violence
that would follow the aftermath. All it took was one accusation of
assassinating two Hutu leaders. Later investigation would show that the missile
that downed their airplane would come from Hutu extremists in the Rwandan Army.
This speaks of how propaganda tactics can be used to sway the opinions of an
already tense people. The film shows us that power resides in the opinion of
the majority.
Although the film shows that violence
of the genocide, it also presents us with the concept that even though there
was an ethnic divide, it was also possible for one race to care for and take a
compassionate stand towards another. As in the case of Rusesabagina, who could
have turned his head in the other direction and just took care of his family (Hotel Rwanda). However, he could not
turn his back on his neighbors and the refugees that would fill up his hotel.
What is peculiar about this is how the world would turn a blind eye to the
events that were happening.
The film shows us that the United
Nations contingent was busy evacuating foreign nationals but had their hands
tied when it came to helping the Tutsis who were literally being slaughtered
right in front of them (Hotel Rwanda).
It had to take one man and his clever maneuverings to save the lives of over a
thousand of his countrymen. From this point of view, power resides in the resolve
of one man to make a difference. While it can be said that he was in a position
of power, this would not have been enough if he did not resolve to take action.
It also shows that although the rest of the world had the power to make a
difference, they did not do anything until close to a million Tutsis and Hutus
had already died (Waldorf 115). The irony of it all was that the racial
tensions were started by colonizers who build up tension gradually and
eventually created a divide that was not supposed to be there in the first
place.
Hotel Rwanda merely presents a slice
of genocide that happened in Rwanda. It speaks of how power can corrupt the
minds of people and lead to violence that was uncalled for. It may be
simplistic to think that the problem was could have been solved at a snap of a
finger because the problem has its roots far back into the history of Rwanda.
However, much of the killing that happened could have been mitigated by
dialogue and intervention. The bravery and compassion shown by Rusesabagina
towards his fellowmen are remarkable but what is remarkable is how one man saw
through ethnic lines and put his life and job on the line to make a difference.
Works Cited
Hotel Rwanda. Dir. Terry George. 2005. Lions Gate Entertainment/United Artists
Mboti, Nyasha. To show the world as it is, or as it is not: the gaze
of Hollywood films about Africa. African
Identities. Nov2010, Vol. 8 Issue 4, p317-332. 16p.
Waldorf, Lars. Revisiting Hotel Rwanda: genocide
ideology, reconciliation, and rescuers. Journal
of Genocide Research. Mar2009, Vol. 11 Issue 1, p101-125. 25p.
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