Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast Episode 327 - The Rwandan Genocide: Part 1
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Sep 2, 2024 Delve into the heart-wrenching history of the Rwandan genocide, a catastrophic event lasting just 100 days. The discussion uncovers the colonial roots of ethnic tensions that escalated into violence, emphasizing the manipulation of propaganda by President Habyarimana's regime. Historical context reveals how systemic discrimination set the stage for conflict, while the emotional impact of these events is thoughtfully examined. Throughout, the speakers balance heavy topics with light-hearted moments, reminding listeners to seek joy amidst sorrow.
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Scale And Speed Of The Genocide
- The Rwandan genocide unfolded in roughly 100 days, killing around one million people mostly with machetes.
- International promises to stop genocide failed as the world largely watched and did little to intervene.
Class Became Race Under Colonial Rule
- Hutu and Tutsi identities began as class distinctions between farmers and cattleholders, not fixed ethnicities.
- Colonial and later pseudo-scientific racial ideas transformed class into rigid, racialized categories.
Colonial Tools Hardened Identity
- Belgian and German colonizers reified class differences into racial categories using anthropological measurements and ID cards.
- The 1930s identity cards legally fixed Hutu/Tutsi labels and entrenched division.