I have to watch Hotel Rwanda in the next day or so. I need to pull a clip from it for youth group on Sunday. Our discussion is focusing on "Us and Them," the divides we create or believe are there when we talk about social justice issues and service.
As the film accurately explains, the difference between the Hutus and Tutsis was basically imposed during the colonial era. In the film, the white reporter cannot tell the difference. As he comments, regarding two women one of whom is Hutu and the other Tutsi, "They could be twins."
From the earliest age we place different labels on ourselves and others to try to understand the world around us. And to an extent, we have to do this. Animal, vegetable, mineral. Stranger, friend, family. Inedible, edible. Often these labels help us to know what is good or right in a situation.
What becomes dangerous, is when we apply fictitious or inaccurate labels, or worse yet, impose such labels on others. That, and the negative effects of the colonial era, helped lead to the genocide in Rwanda. That, along with insecurity, is what leads to bullying.
While I sincerely hope that the world has learned its lesson and the tragedy in Rwanda will not be repeated, I worry. We like our labels far too much. It is a slippery slope we venture on when we let ourselves fall prey to labels.
(Note, I also posted this on my personal blog)
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