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I’m reminded of a quote that I read everyday for three years during French class.
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.
Colonel Oliver turns to Paul Rusesabagina and says:
“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.”
“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.
In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
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.
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)
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13 Responses to “Connecting the Dots”
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Twitter: EstherCrawford
- @jeffreine that bridge gives me chills
- @jeffreine yep! and watched tv ... I'm pretty sure every night should end like that
- @soccerhaus it was pretty hilarious... then another couple came in and started making out too.. it never ended
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Hotel Rwanda is probably my favorite movie. And I have a strong urge to do ministry in Rwanda after seeing the movie.
May 2nd, 2006 at 5:48 pm
Good thoughts. it is a difficult movie to watch– there’s also another with Debra Winger in it.
May 2nd, 2006 at 1:01 pm
ryc ~ you are most welcome! it was fun. I hear the movie was good??
May 1st, 2006 at 10:08 pm
If you like Africa, watch the movie “Invisible Children,” &/or go to the website http://www.invisiblechildren.com. We recently had a “global night commute” for IC this weekend. IT WAS AMAZING! Read up on it … lots of people are ignorant about Uganda, as well. I was, until my first years in college.
May 1st, 2006 at 4:51 pm
My goodness, that movie. It’s hard to know whether you can say “I liked it” when it is what it is. But it makes you think for sure, and that’s what’s important. Now, if only our media would cover these stories like they should be covered. I don’t know what’s happening or why they don’t, and I don’t want to place blame when I can just as easily do something, but maybe if we saw a little more of this and a little less current makeup trends and how to make your butt look smaller…
May 1st, 2006 at 11:04 am
That scene, Esther–the one where Nick Nolte is drinking and Paul thanks him for his help and he says “You oughta spit in my face…” I felt him speaking for the entire Western world there.
April 30th, 2006 at 11:22 pm
it was a profound movie…there is another movie, even more intense called Sometime in April, dealing with two brothers on opposite sides of this conflict…I’d recommend it to you, keep in mind the content and language will be strong….miss you friend!
April 30th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
Hey, we had a fun time hanging out with you guys last night. I’m glad you could come!
April 30th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
I just saw it last night! And I was thinking of that exact same quote. “By that time, no one was left to speak up.”
My main thought, however, was the age-old question: HOW can people do this to each other??
April 30th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
It’s encouraging to see that Hotel Rwanda is finally getting circulation within U.S. Christendom. It seemed all but ignored when it hit theaters due to Mel Gibson’s hyperbolic “Passion” bloodfest.
April 30th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
good final quote.
April 30th, 2006 at 7:53 am
I had similar thoughts when I saw it last summer…it’s hard to know what to say afterward. I remember being silent (me! silent!) for a few hours. How do you process all that?? Glad it made you think too.
April 30th, 2006 at 2:44 am
I especially liked Hotel Rwanda. I saw it when it first came out. I remember the news from there… then. It is something like the news coming out of Chad and the Sudan and Uganda where children form the militias.