[Note from Kathie Malley-Morrison: Today we again feature a post from Andrew Potter‘s experiences in Rwanda.]
In a way that only being physically present in this country could convey, I’ve realized that the genocide is a very difficult thing for Rwandans to talk about. If people do speak about the horrors they have encountered, it is only under very hushed circumstances or around people they trust.
Because of the delicate social issues, it is difficult to capture the real psyche of this nation on camera. Yet it is incredibly important to be in Rwanda and to ponder the nature of what took place here: the largest genocide in modern history.
We must remind ourselves that friends, family members, and neighbors perpetrated this genocide against one another.
Because of this, reconciliation is everywhere, as the people have needed to move forward. The very fact that people are living side by side in peace is an incredibly powerful achievement to witness.
In an earlier post I spoke of how the New York Times has portrayed Rwanda as a “suppressed” nation. I feel as though this was an unfair portrayal of the country. In the U.S. we are often hyper-critical of another country when democracy is lacking. We criticize as if we know better, as if we stand on a higher moral ground.
In actuality we have a lot to learn from the way Rwanda is conducting itself. Criticism is good when it is done in balance, yet it is dangerous when it causes us to ignore realities. We need to observe. We can certainly ask questions, but it is too soon to judge.
Andrew Potter