There has probably been genocide all through human history. Many stories have most likely never been told or written down. One would think that the more stories are recorded, shared and acknowledged by others, the better the chances for “never again”.

Of course, not everybody has the same access to information and education. This is probably the biggest challenge. How can we make genocide unattractive, even for the most ruthless dictator in a “failed” state? We can make it a priority to fight poverty and improve the access to education and information as proclaimed by the United Nations in the Millennium Development Goals.

Overall, I still think that the conditions for the promotion of tolerance and mutual respect have greatly improved. Now, we can discuss a book about genocide with PTPI members around the world. Not so long ago, it took weeks to exchange letters from one continent to the next. The possibilities for international exchange have multiplied, which facilitates the promotion of mutual understanding. Shouldn’t that inspire hope?

And even with all the access to news we have in the States, I don’t think alot of people hear about situations like Rwanda, or even moreso how it flooded over to Burundi. So in other areas with less access to technology and ongoing education, they probably have never heard about Croatia, Cambodia or even the Holocaust, how could any of those memorials have any impact?

But, as Deo seemed to indicate, it HAD to be the leaders, who DO have knowledge of history and access to technology, who are the ones who still think they can gain power by either coercion, fear, or probably more realistically outright lying to less educated masses, to convince them “ethnic” cleansing is necessary. Obviously their more probable knowledge of earlier ethnic massacres made no difference. So sad!

I had met another gentleman who had survived world war II. He did not want to talk about the war or his feelings. He had lost several of his friends. He had escaped to USA and had made his life here.

I can go on and on about real people whom I have met who have shared their experiences about holocaust and the war and some who have kept MUM. I do not know which is better. What scares me is that the degree of hate-redness, cruelty we so called humans harbor, that can surface itself under certain odd circumstances. Why are we so cruel to our own species?
Memories haunted Deo. It was important for Deo to go back to Burundi for healing his memories. If he had not gone back, his memories would have haunted him for the rest of his life. Starting the clinic was very good for him. Many people may not have that opportunity come by to them for their healing.
Have we learnt anything from Genocide events. I hope we have. But probably not. It may not be called as ‘Genocide’ but all the same, people are being killed for no reasons or causes around the world.
I just hope we learn to tolerate each other irrespective of our color, creed, nationality or cultural differences. Otherwise we might become extinct from this planet. Deo is a good example for all of us.