It was an interesting read, just reading the introduction to Dawes’ That the World May Know: Bearing Witness to Atrocity. He speaks about what is to follow in the work of literature reflecting on the genocide of Rwanda and what the reader should be feeling and thinking, at least at the beginning. It seems obvious that such a topic should make one sad, angry, confused, and/or just plain disgusted, but Dawes goes more into detail. Even himself stating that one can only view the atrocities of this genocide from the outside. The reader wasn’t there. The reader never experienced this event and never will. One can try to wrap their head around it, to learn from it, and develop well though-out opinions. At the end of the day however, it must be understood that the reader can never have a definitive answer on what was or could be a correct response to such a thing. Dawes even says that the detailed account as given by witnesses can be tainted or distorted due to trauma, translation, or simply poor memory. The only thing that really gives one an account of the suffering of genocide is truly being there at the time of its occurrence and experiencing the evil in all its unholy glory. As with most traumatic and evil happenings, the average person can only hope to understand it as best as possible as an outsider. What really stands out is the line by Karen Elshazly, the Senior Advisor to the President of the American Refugee Committee when she says, “the hardest part is that you can drive away.” As Americans who may face diversity and struggle, though never on such a level as the Rwandans, it is difficult to not only understand their pain but to even think about it for too long. Reading and studying such an event, it is easy to simply walk away when it becomes too much. Those who suffered the genocide did not have such an opportunity. The same is true whenever one looks at those less fortunate than themselves, they can simply look away if they don’t like what they see and it becomes all the more difficult to make changes surround issues that people don’t even want to look at.

The 400 Years Project was an interesting presentation. It was cool to see natives of different areas acting in their own normal fashion. The first portion with photographer Brian Adams about the native Alaskans struck as especially interesting. He himself being of native Alaskan blood had familial ties to some of those whom he photographed and spoke about. He showed how they gathered food stuffs and processed and packaged them for consumption and he showed families living and celebrating together. It was cool to see a family gathering centered around a senior member who was believed to be close to death. Adams explained how the others sang and ate and simply celebrated with their family. It wasn’t a mourning but a party for the elder. It was really beautiful to hear about. It was really a deeper look into the culture and lives of these people. As the presentation went on, I would be lying if I didn’t say I grew a little bored and my memory became passive. I know they spoke of an event at Standing Rock that likely pertained more to human rights, but I recall very little of what was said. Personally, it was more of a look into a unique and beautiful culture, something Rwanda very likely has and probably once flourished before the genocide. It makes one think of what might happen should these people be killed, or imprisoned, or in any way removed from their way of life. That culture could be lost and forgotten so quickly. It would be a travesty of immeasurable proportion.