The Banality of Courage: The Banality of Courage: Stories of ordinary people Stories of ordinary people

who risked their lives to who risked their lives to save others in the midst of save others in the midst of

evilevil Stories of rescue in the midst of genocide in Rwanda

Hypothesis: Negative stereotypes thatportray outsider groups as evil or subversive are part of the explanation of how genocidal events happen. Stories that

undermine negative stereotypes of groups previously blamed for genocide promote reconciliation

Research on rescuers after the Research on rescuers after the HolocaustHolocaust

Stories of heroic rescuers such as Schindler, Stories of heroic rescuers such as Schindler, Wallenberg, Sugihara . . .Wallenberg, Sugihara . . .

The documentation of “righteous gentiles” at The documentation of “righteous gentiles” at the Yad Vashem memorial museum in the Yad Vashem memorial museum in Jerusalem. Jerusalem.

Pearl and Samuel Oliner, Pearl and Samuel Oliner, The Altruistic The Altruistic Personality: Rescuers of Jews in Nazi Personality: Rescuers of Jews in Nazi Europe. Europe. ((Perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers Perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers interviewedinterviewed))

Collections by Martin Gilbert and Robert Satloff Collections by Martin Gilbert and Robert Satloff

Genocide and mass violence in the 20th century

Namibia, Turkey, the HOLOCAUST, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and elsewhere.

The aftermath of catastrophic violence: Coping with denial, confronting evidence, seeking truth and justice

Why gather rescue stories?Why gather rescue stories?

In the aftermath of mass violence and In the aftermath of mass violence and genocide RECONCILIATION is possible.genocide RECONCILIATION is possible.

Reconciliation is a nebulous concept but Reconciliation is a nebulous concept but scholars assume that many variables are scholars assume that many variables are involved. Governmental institutions, involved. Governmental institutions, justice proceedings, education, and mass justice proceedings, education, and mass media policies are the most significant media policies are the most significant variables.variables.

Stories of courageous rescuers that Stories of courageous rescuers that undermine negative stereotypes can undermine negative stereotypes can contribute to reconciliationcontribute to reconciliation

RWANDA 1994 Genocide started after attack on President’s plane Hutu’s wage genocide against Tutsi minorityMilitary and interahamwe forces deployedRoughly 800,000 murdered in 3 months

Today: The Tutsi minority is generally in control of thegovernment. There is a somewhat tenuous peace. Gacaca trials are ongoing in villages and towns

2008 population 10 million

Ethnic categories areapproximately Hutu 84 %Tutsis 15 %Twa 1 %

NyamataSchoolgirl in village

Silas Ntamfurayishyali Nyamata

Epimaque Munyiragwe Nyamata

Odette Umulisa Kibuye

Innocent Ndamyimana Gisanura and Gitabita Nyantantaba

Kibuye

Hadj Bazirake JumaineGisenye

Boys greeting car Gihara

Christine Mutimura Sister mary-Patrice Mukandutiye Felicita

Mwitakuze FelicitaGihara

Valentine Umuratwa on her wedding day

Muslim shopkeeper Butare

Courageous individuals such as the rescuers can Courageous individuals such as the rescuers can be be usus

(or perhaps our children)(or perhaps our children) What characteristics did most of the rescuers have in common What characteristics did most of the rescuers have in common

(compared to bystanders)?(compared to bystanders)?

a sense of personal efficacya sense of personal efficacy a sense that people in the other group were no less worthya sense that people in the other group were no less worthy a fear that a fear that notnot responding in a moral way would cause them responding in a moral way would cause them to feel guilt or shameto feel guilt or shame

Most seemed to have an ethical framework of care,Most seemed to have an ethical framework of care, empathy, generosity.empathy, generosity.

a religious or extended moral sense of obligation to outsiders (15% “religious”) a religious or extended moral sense of obligation to outsiders (15% “religious”) - a sense that all people deserve - a sense that all people deserve respectrespect

justice and fairness perceived in global terms (Oliners, justice and fairness perceived in global terms (Oliners, 1983)1983)

Heroism is a quest, involving risk, persisting over time or a sudden, one time Heroism is a quest, involving risk, persisting over time or a sudden, one time action. Defying authority to right a wrong, correct injustice or change action. Defying authority to right a wrong, correct injustice or change a corrupt systema corrupt system(Zimbardo. 2007)(Zimbardo. 2007)

Thou shalt not be a victim

Thou shalt not be a perpetrator

Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander

A better title, perhaps -

“The Banality of Courage”

Edmond Murenzi and Stephen Gatsinzi

Acknowledgements:

Research Grants Office Provosts FundUUPNejra Nuna CengicStephen GatsinziEdmond MurenziJim Greenberg, Alan Caswell, Deb McClenonODKGladys