My thoughts post-Hotel Rwanda screening.
- Life is short.
- People are suffering.
- Those who aren’t suffering like to ignore those who are.
- I want to adopt – preferably orphans who would otherwise be overlooked.
- I’m sickeningly ignorant about Africa.
The following quote in the movie took my breath away. I won’t soon forget it.
“The West, all the superpowers – they think you’re dirt, you’re worthless. You’re the smartest man here. You could own this hotel, except for one thing. You’re black. You’re not even a nigger. You’re an African. They’re not going to stop this slaughter.”
I’m reminded of a quote that I read everyday for three years during French class.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me –
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
Martin Niemoller (1892-1984)



