“No Place For Hate” is a slogan thrown around quite often, yet not everyone seems to take it seriously. There is still racism, sexism, homophobia, and ageism present in our society, and people are hurt every day as a result. Nevertheless, there have been too many genocides, terrorist attacks, and basic human rights violated over the course of our history to stop fighting for the “no hate” initiative.
The Rwandan Genocide took place in 1994, when the Hutus attacked the Tutsis, two ethnic groups that then populated Rwanda. Approximately 800,000 Rwandans were killed, devastating thousands of families. If you have ever heard of or seen the movie “Hotel Rwanda,” this is a historical drama focused on the events during the Genocide.
Similar to any horrific historical event, the opportunity to hear survivors speak is not one we should take for granted. Survivors of tragedies are the strongest people in our world; they often have wisdom and perspectives comparable to no one else. It is important that we take time to listen to these people not only to honor their bravery, but also to share their stories on a personal level.
Cornell Hillel’s Social Justice Committee will warmly welcome Dydine Umunyana, a survivor of the Rwanda Genocide, on Thursday, November 16, at 6:00 p.m. in Goldwin Smith 142. All are welcome to listen and attend this free event.
Ms. Umunyana will focus her remarks on her memoir, Embracing Survival, a story through the lens of a 4-year-old child witnessing the genocide experience. Now, Ms. Umunyana strives to create an atmosphere of communication between various groups of people to understand their social and cultural differences. This inspirational woman has seen a lot of hate, but in her words and in the words of so many others working for a peaceful cause, “hate is not the answer.”
