I just saw Hotel Rwanda, and I am a mess.

[fleabert]

I don't think I can process it all yet, but I am physically sick from sadness, regret, and disgust. Why didn't we help?

I am going straight to bed, and hope I can come back tomorrow, able to discuss. I am too sad now for words.

that said, I think everyone should see this movie. we ignored them before, we have another chance to pay attention and maybe learn from the past.

[NJCher]

1. forensics anthropology

Guess I won't be recommending any books to you on that topic

Seriously, once you've recovered (if you can), read The Bone Woman by Clea Koff. Toward the end, you will discover another perspective on why people do these things to one another.

Could it happen here? After reading the book, I think it could.


Cher

p.s. you might want to check out the reviews at Amazon.com.

[fleabert]

6. I am composed now. Recovered? I hope I don't in a way...

I will check out the book you mention. That's the only way we can learn, is to confront ourselves with the reality of life. It happening here or even again (anywhere) is one of the things that had me so upset.

I just don't comprehend how we humans can be so cruel to each other, it is out of my scope of perception. I believe that people are basically good, so it is very difficult for me to understand how one person (not to mention more) can get to the point where killing is not only okay, but is exciting or preferred.

It's just something I have to confront and try to wrap my head (and heart) around.

[bluestateguy]

2. Well I think I know why, but it's not popular to say

This was the aftermath of the Blackhawk Down incident in Somalia where we lost 18 Marines. Republican members of Congress and conservative newspaper columnists and talkshow hosts pissed, moaned and crankup the echo machine to demand that the troops be withdrawn. (Then of course, 8 years later those same people would attack Clinton for "cutting an running" in Somalia, somehow causing the 9/11 attacks).

Had the Clinton Administration considered a similar option for Rwanda they would have faced the same whining from the usual suspects of conservative white men. Mustering public support for the Bosnia mission was hard enought, but those were white people, people that Americans could relate to and identify with when they saw their suffering on television. People in the US are simply used to the idea that Africans are going to be racked by war and famine, so they tune it out, and resent any notion that it is any way America's problem. Hence, getting involved in another African ethnic conflict was not something the American people, or Congress, were prepared to support at that time.

[ikojo]

3. Excellent post.....most Americans do not realize that the US

did not aid the Jewish community during WWII. The doors to the US were shut tight, even to Jewish children. Once congress critter (I think he was from Louisiana but cannot be sure as I am going on a memory of something I read in a book) said that Jewish children should not be allowed in the US because Jewish children grow up to be Jewish adults.

What it boils down to is this: If the victim is not White or Christian then the US government does not care.

[fleabert]

8. that rings disgustingly true.

the reality of our foreign policy is so very different from what we were taught as children, and what we are force fed by our government today. Actions speak louder than words, and we have simply not done enough. bush is currently a prime example...'Freedom' and 'spreading democracy' just ring hollow for so many nations that he ignores. And the country he gives attention to? He bombs the shit out of in the guise of 'democracy'.

The man from Ghana (that I mentioned in another post) said, 'you cannot give me democracy after killing my mother, bombing my home, or shooting at my children.' (about Iraq)

[tooncesj0nes]

5. please explain further as Im not fully aware of how UN intervention procee

..I too saw the movie and was devastated..the US is only one country..what about UN the involvement from the European side?..I mean didnt Belgium have some say in this?..as well as the French that were supplying the Rwanda army?...

[fleabert]

9. I'd like to know more too, it was heartbreaking and infuriating

knowing the UN was there and couldn't even defend themselves from attack, much less the people being slaughtered.

[fleabert]

7. That jives with my memory of events.

I guess my deepest feeling is not only frustration that our and other governments didn't step in, but that I didn't do anything. I didn't know. The information was there, and I didn't get upset when it was productive to do so. I must have seen or heard things, but I honestly don't remember. I was in my early twenties and ripe for political outrage, I feel guilty for not speaking out.

There were only 7 people in the theater last night. One of them was a gentleman from Ghana. Before the movie started we talked a bit and the things you mention were discussed. Africa is ignored by the world, his belief is that it is all motivated by money and the diamond industry. He has compelled me to do more research on the matter. I don't know what I can actually do about anything, but there has to be something I can do.

[jfenway]

4. Clark's perspective on Rwanda, etc.

http://draftthegeneral.blogspot.com/

Clark was one of the very few that pushed for intervention in Rwanda. He has said since that he would not let something like Rwanda happen again within his power.

Also see Samanta Powers book "A Problem From Hell" which has a chapter on Clark and Rwanda. She endorsed Clark, of course.

This was one of the topics that drew me to him initially.

J.

[fleabert]

11. very interesting. I will have to check out the book you mention

thanks.

[Radical Activist]

10. There is no excuse for this not winning best picture

I don't think it was even nominated. An incredibly powerful film.

[fleabert]

12. Nominated for original screenplay.

I think it will be beat out by Sideways, because more people have seen it. :-(