It's said that the Belgians were the most brutal colonisers.
Under Belgium and Germany Rwanda suffered under the divide and rule structure, as was common among colonisers at the time.
The genocide in Rwanda was (for me) one of the most horrifc things i've ever heard of seen accounts of. At that time, pictures on the news of bodies hacked to death for reasons no-one could seemingly explain other than tensions between Hutu and Tutsi's, was almost beyond belief.
Apparently, the genocide was planned meticulously, and how much world leaders knew at the time I don't know, but it's said they were fully aware.
There's very interesting documentary you can watch called the Ghosts of Rwanada.
I'd usually post it live but the images are quite horrendous so i'll just post the link.
How could anyone? Is the only question.
Was it a result of the brutality of the history of the place?
Never underestimate what we as humans are capable of that's for sure.
It comes in twelve parts, and you can watch it ... here.
Part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
part 6
part 7
part 8
part 9
part 10
part 11
part 12
the colonial legacy. the Belgians planted a divide and conquer, a hatred so strong it has survived their time in the country. All across the continent wars and instability reigns from deep divisions created by our colonial masters. people with no cultural history of wars etc. Don't know if you've read King Leopold's Ghost. That evil bastard killed over half the population in the Congo area, very deep history. When these guys go on and on about Hitler I always laugh. American and the European powers were demonic, Hitler was in very good company. They were hell bent on controlling minorities, starting wars and genocides at the stroke of a pen. fuck em
ReplyDeleteback in the day my dad was adamant it was like some intricate master plan by the Europeans to keep the door open in Africa. probably hatched at the Berlin Conference. If they can't unite we will always be there to exploit. I dismissed it as some bizarre conspiracy theory but inclined to believe it having monitored things over the years. Its like no matter what organisations (OAU, AU) are formed Africans cannot find lasting peace, prosperity and good governance, very strange for such a diverse set of loving and welcoming people. Its like the Europeans hardcore cursed us - slavery and colonialism. it will take many more decades for Africans, within and without the diaspora, to be free of this terrible legacy
'King' Leopold was a piece of work. Your dad was pretty much on point with regards to the Berlin conference. It's difficult to witness certain things and think of a people as loving or welcoming though.. begs the question...are we fooling ourselves that we be any more loving than anyone else?...sort the sickness and then maybe
ReplyDeleteStill.. even with the colonial facts in hand.. many African 'leaders' appear to struggle. Quite a legacy.
As for the holocaust.. it's approximated that over 5 million non Jews were annihilated... blacks.. gipsies.. you name it.. something that seems easily forgettable... never seem to get a mention do they?.. sad really.
Kind Leopold was a piece of work.
ReplyDeleteYour dad was pretty much on point with regards to the Berlin conference.
It’s difficult to witness certain things and think of a people as either loving or welcoming ... begs the question.. are we really any more loving than anyone else?
kinda wanna stamp my feet and say ‘ “show me show me!!...”
Sort the sickness then maybe.... sort the sickness first
Funny really, even with the colonial facts in hand African leaders... still seem to struggle, still appear to be ‘selling out’
With regards to the holocaust over 5 million non Jews were annihilated... blacks.. gypsies.. you name it.. a fact that seems easily forgettable, as they never seem to get a mention... People think holocaust and stop at.... Jews.
Sad state of affairs really.
Genocide sickens me.