Class Discussion – Week 8
Watch the brief documentary “Flowers of Rwanda: Making Peace with Genocide” (24
min.). You can find it under the “Films on Demand” section of the PSU library website.
With your ODIN ID you can access the movies. The direct link is:
=102733&xtid=40621
Discuss the movie integrating ideas on reconciliation developed in this week’s book
chapter by Kriesberg and the attached book chapter. Be specific in demonstrating that
you understand the theory of the book and apply it to the specific case of the movie.
Engage with your peers in an active discussion for full credit consideration.
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Christina Kreitzer
Feb 26 8:01pm
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Reply from Christina Kreitzer
Dayton and Kriesberg argue that “the nature of a struggle’s consequences depends
significantly on how the former adversaries and others interpret the way the conflict
ended.” This perspective can be applied to Flowers of Rwanda: Making Peace with
Genocide and Rwanda’s ongoing struggle to reconcile after its 1994 genocide.
The situation is complex because while the genocide officially ended, its psychological
and social toll continues to shape the daily life of survivors (and offenders). For many
survivors, the absence of violence doesn’t automatically translate to peace, especially
when acknowledgement and apologies from their perpetrators remain absent or limited.
The film shows us that this isn’t a single historical event but more of a daily process that
continues decades after the violence ends.
A recurring theme in the film is the absence of apologies from perpetrators. For many
survivors, an apology is not just an act of accountability – it’s a way to feel safe again
and start to rebuild their lives. Yet, when apologies are withheld, the process of healing
is even more difficult.
I found it admirable that Rwanda chose a path forward based on “never again” rather
than retaliation. Instead of using the end of genocide as justification for revenge, the
nation’s leaders have prioritized economic stability and education as ways to prevent
more violence. The survivor who said “having a job is peace” captured the heart of that
shift in philosophy. Peace is also defined by the ability to rebuild, participate in society,
and find purpose beyond just keeping yourself alive.
This approach seems to validate Dayton and Kriesberg’s discussion about how
settlements are perceived over time. When agreements are seen as fair and inclusive,
they create better cooperation. But when they’re viewed as imposed or insufficient,
resentment tends to grow. The idea is that people aren’t easy to forgive after such awful
acts of violence occur. Rwanda is taking some reconciliation steps like offering
communal storytelling, an effort to transform how both victims and offenders understand
their roles in a post-genocide world.
Education is probably the most important tool in this healing process. By teaching
accurate history and creating empathy, Rwanda is trying to do away with the divisive
viewpoints that enabled genocide to begin with. This supports the authors’ argument
that both external actors and domestic policies play important roles in making sure that
peace agreements lead to stability. You could see they also took great care in
preserving the historical artifacts of the genocide, which as the chapter outlines, is an
important piece to gaining the respect and trust of those who were affected. It’s part of
the education piece – not erasing the shameful acts of violence. Hiding the artifacts
would be like denying the events ever occurred, making it harder for the community to
move forward and heal.
I was pretty moved by the story of the young orphaned boy who dreams of becoming an
actor. Despite losing his family, he chooses hope. His hope to see Rwandans
represented in film speaks to the power of representation in the media in reshaping the
culture.
Another survivor stated in the film, “It will never happen again. That I promise you.” He
seemed so sure of his safe future. I got the sense he wasn’t worried about a repeat of
this event. Yet other survivors who were interviewed expressed fear, anger, and
uncertainty over whether another act of violence was waiting for them. They couldn’t
start to build a new better life without getting the reconciliation act of asking for
forgiveness. Without taking all the steps outlined in the reading, it’s like the survivors
and offenders are trying to rush a peace process that is missing core, foundational
aspects.
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Tiffany Greiner
Feb 25 11:36am| Last edited Feb 25 11:37am| Last reply Feb 25 4:05pm
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Reply from Tiffany Greiner
In “Flowers of Rwanda: Making Peace with Genocide,” they discuss how Rwanda is
integrating the practice of reconciliation into their society, not only from the top down but
also from the bottom up.
Reconciliation is a relatively new concept within the practice of conflict resolution. There
are no set guidelines for exactly what it is, but John Paul Lederach suggests that conflict
reconciliation “takes just as long to get out of a conflict as it has been going on”(Hauss
2021). This can be a hindering factor in reconciliation. Kriesberg has laid out for us four
aspects of reconciliation to achieve peaceful living.
“Reconciliation is itself a complicated, highly contested term. Some see it as simply
coexistence, others respect, and others mutual forgiveness” (Brahm 2003). Kriesberg
discusses that there needs to be “first, the nature of the settlement must suit the present
conditions of conflict. Second, means must be taken to reconcile adversaries. Third,
constructive intervention is useful to move the parties to a better path”(Brahm 2003).
In “Flowers of Rwanda,” the people of Rwanda are following the recommendations that
Kriesberg has put into place for reconciliation. Truth, Kriesberg says, “is coming to
acknowledge there is some merit to the other side’s interpretation of events.” Rwanda
has openly acknowledged the horrific crimes committed in supporting and initiating a
genocide within their own country. They are educating their young children with traveling
movie shows, showing them the historical events of hatred that took place. By
acknowledging these truths and teaching the population about their wrongdoings, the
government and the people who participated in these crimes against humanity are
labeling them as such and truth is being told. Not only from the side of the perpetrator
but from the perspective of the victim.
Next is justice. Kriesberg says, “gaining redress as a means of putting the past to rest.”
Rwanda is applying justice to those who have committed horrible crimes by putting
them on trial and sentencing them to time in prison. By the government acknowledging
what happened was wrong and restoring justice to society, it helps lay a foundation of
trust within communities that experienced this horrific genocide.
Next is regard, which is “forgiveness on the part of the victims.” Individuals that
participated in the genocide are given an opportunity to apologize to victims’ families,
giving the person who committed the crime an opportunity to ask for forgiveness.
Individuals in the video share that neighbors are released from jail because they say
that they are sorry. While others share that no one has addressed them on behalf of
their family to say “I’m sorry” for committing crimes against them and their families. This
brings me back to Lederach’s point when he shared that conflicts take a long time to
truly reconcile.
Next is security, the expectation of peaceful existence. In the video, some people truly
believe that by educating the youth of their nation about the horrific crimes that
happened in the past, such crimes will never again be committed. They said they have
addressed the underlying issues that caused the conflict, so there is no way for it to
happen again. Talking to individuals who are victims of the conflict, some say that at this
time they feel safe but do not know the future. This shows the lingering effects of trauma
and the struggles of reconciliation. Though this nation is strongly trying to promote
reconciliation from the top down and bottom up within the community, it will be an
ongoing struggle and consistent work to bring about long-lasting peace and unify their
nation as one people.
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