An Ordinary Man
1. Rusesabagina writes that “a false view of history is a toxin in the bloodstream.” How have you experienced this is your own life? Is there such a thing as a completely true view of history?
It seems as though wherever there is a disagreement between two people, each of them always has a different story. Given this, two friends of mine fought over a bet they had made. One said the bet was for $20 while the other disagreed that they had never shaken hands to declare it. This is a prime example of what Rusesabagina is describing. No matter what situation one is in, there will always be differing opinions over what took place simply because people are often biased in their views of the past, seeing only how it affected him or her. Thus, I do not believe in such a thing as a true view of history. 2. The culture of hate enabled Hutu murderers to think of themselves as victims because “the person whose throat you do not cut will be the one who cuts yours.” Where do you think that sentiment arises from? How do you think it can be counteracted?
The sentiment of “the person whose throat you do not cut will be the one who cuts yours” is one that is taught early on. Hutu students were taught in class that they were insignificant to Tutsi children, causing them to feel inferior. Years later, when the Hutu students grew to become adults, Radio-Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) became very popular. RTLM transgressed from a typical radio show to a politically racist show bringing back many of the same emotions from grade school to the Hutu people. This could have been counteracted had the government discontinued the show after its first few discriminating remarks. 3. Rusesabagina describes how he would listen to absurdly racist radio debates. Though he loathed the opinions expressed, he found the shows fascinating. Why do you think people are drawn to media sources that they disapprove of?
Media will always be attractive to society. Though we may despise it,
It seems as though wherever there is a disagreement between two people, each of them always has a different story. Given this, two friends of mine fought over a bet they had made. One said the bet was for $20 while the other disagreed that they had never shaken hands to declare it. This is a prime example of what Rusesabagina is describing. No matter what situation one is in, there will always be differing opinions over what took place simply because people are often biased in their views of the past, seeing only how it affected him or her. Thus, I do not believe in such a thing as a true view of history. 2. The culture of hate enabled Hutu murderers to think of themselves as victims because “the person whose throat you do not cut will be the one who cuts yours.” Where do you think that sentiment arises from? How do you think it can be counteracted?
The sentiment of “the person whose throat you do not cut will be the one who cuts yours” is one that is taught early on. Hutu students were taught in class that they were insignificant to Tutsi children, causing them to feel inferior. Years later, when the Hutu students grew to become adults, Radio-Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) became very popular. RTLM transgressed from a typical radio show to a politically racist show bringing back many of the same emotions from grade school to the Hutu people. This could have been counteracted had the government discontinued the show after its first few discriminating remarks. 3. Rusesabagina describes how he would listen to absurdly racist radio debates. Though he loathed the opinions expressed, he found the shows fascinating. Why do you think people are drawn to media sources that they disapprove of?
Media will always be attractive to society. Though we may despise it,