Left to Tell

Left to Tell is the story of Immaculée Ilibagiza, she tells of how she was able to find comfort and peace, amidst the terrible Rwandan Holocaust, by forgiving those who murdered so many of her family and friends. In the book, she wrote about the relief she felt when she

Hotel Rwanda is a tragic movie that puts a face on the conflict that was largely ignored by the western world. It graphically shows the results of various conflicts and the results of racial prejudice caused by historical actions. It also demonstrates that racism can occur outside the ‘normal’ black white conflicts. Hotel Rwanda falls short when giving an in-depth explanation of the causes of the war. However, a little research and critical reading bring a greater understanding of the film and the suffering of

Forgiveness is very important throughout life. If people don't forgive, they are going to be stuck in the past always remembering about the mistake that person did. Forgiving someone can make yourself feel better because you know you forgave that person and there's no negativity between you and that person.

Many people tend to believe that vengeance has more value than forgiveness and it’s ok. Seeking vengeance is not the same as forgiving someone who wronged you. When you forgive someone after being wronged, you let go of a desire to harm the person. Therefore, forgiveness has more value that vengeance since it helps you live a longer and healthier life, feel relief without feeling resentment of holding grudges, and it helps you protect yourself from future hurts.

Forgiveness is something that everyone struggles with at some point. Forgiving anyone can take time and is sometimes very hard to accomplish. In Tuesday's with Morrie, by Mitch Albom, we learn that it is essential to forgive ourselves by letting go of our regrets because what we have now may not always be there. It is always important to look at life as it is now with a positive view, holding a grudge will only damage your response to living.

In her book, Immaculée Ilibagiza shares the power of faith in God through her moving experience of the Rwandan genocide. God saved her life for a reason. “He left me to tell my story to others and show as many people as possible the leading power of his Love and Forgiveness” (208-09). Her book proves that “with God all things are possible”. Her objective is not to give a historical account of Rwanda and/or of the genocide. She gives her own story. She attests that through God’s help, forgiveness is possible – even to those who killed her parents. Her book is meant to help people to let go of the chains of hatred and anger, and be able to truly live in God who is love. Left to Tell is a breathtaking book that proves the fact that “the love

The two ethnic groups that were include in the Rwanda Genocide was the Tutsis and Hutus. The Tutsis were the minority population in Rwanda, but they held all the positions of authority. On the other hand, the Hutu made up around 85% of Rwanda’s population, but held no political power, they were denied higher education and land ownership. The size of the nose and the color of the eyes were the factors that determined whether a person was Hutu or Tutsi. The Tutsis disapprove of the colonial rule of the Belgians and demanded to become more independent. After World War II, the Tutsis felt impatient and that it was time they took matters in their own hands to pursuit their independence. In 1959, the tension and violence between the Tutsis and Hutus were greatly increased.

Tom Zoellner, writes in his bibliography “An Ordinary Man” about the period of the Rwandan Genocide. Its impact and repercussions on the people, and how one hospitality-employed leadership figure by the name of Paul Rusesabagina saved 1,268 Tutsis through goodwill and courageous negotiations, are chronically ordered and told in detail. Ominously, the author introduces you into a standard of life that to us seems inexistent.

Forgiving is vital and is shown frequently throughout the book in the characters relationships. One example where healing is shown is when Kumalo forgives his sister Gertrude. Forgiving is not easy in every situation but it leads to healing. “ His eyes fill with tears, his deep gentleness returns to him. He goes to her and lifts her from the floor of the chair. Inarticulately he strokes her face, his heart filled with pity. -God forgives us, he says. Who am I not to forgive? Let us pray.” (Paton 61). As Kumalo mentions, God always forgives us, every single day and as great as God is there is no reason to we should not forgive. Although it is difficult it will only heal relationships in our life rather than separate them.

Under the power of Tutsi King Rwabugiri, ethnic differences were established when the King implemented a system in which, in return for labour, access to land was given. However, this system only applied to Hutu farmers and exempted Tutsi farmers (Eriksson, 1996). During the German colonization and later the Belgian trusteeship, the Tutsi were also favoured and viewed as superior (Eriksson, 1996). The Belgians increased the emphasis on the distinction of ethnic identity by issuing cards bearing the nationality designations of Rwandans (Klinghoffer, 1998). The colonisation by both Germany and Belgium contributed to an ethnic jealousy in Rwanda through treatment of the Tutsi (O’Halloran, 1995). The general decolonisation in Africa led to the Hutu revolution in which Rwanda underwent the transition from a Tutsi dominated monarchy to a Hutu led independent republic, which resulted in tens of thousands of Tutsi fleeing into exile (Eriksson, 1996).

“Left to Tell” is a real life story of a survivor of the Rwanda genocide. The author of this book, Immaculee Ilibagiza, who survived the genocide describes in this book the fear and suffering she went through. Ilibagiza is a Tutsi and born in Rwanda. During the genocide she and seven others managed to survive hidden for ninety-one days in a cramped tiny bathroom, no larger than four feet long and three feet wide (pg. 73). The bathroom was hidden behind a wardrobe in Pastor Murinzi’s home, who was a Hutu. During those horrible days that she was hidden, she lost most of her family who were murdered by the Hutu majority. Although, the Hutu Interahamwe searched and searched for her, there was no success. Ilibagiza survived the genocide and throughout

Before Rwanda became an independent African run country, it was under Belgian control. In the 1930s Belgium imposed indirect rule and put Tutsis in control of government. The Belgians did not invent the two ethnic groups, Hutu and Tutsi, but colonial intervention enforced a new meaning for the two ethnicities and thus engrained a hierarchy among the Rwandans . The Tutsis could be determined by their taller slighter build, lighter skin and thinner noses; in conclusion, they were the whitest Africans . By 1994 the two groups were visibly indistinguishable because of mixed parentage. This is portrayed in the movie Hotel Rwanda when a journalist asks two women what ethnicity they are; he discovers that one is Hutu and the other Tutsi. The journalist replies that the women could be twins. In the 1950s the newly established United Nations began to pressure Belgium to vacate Rwanda. Belgium introduced reforms to increase Hutu representation in politics, so from the 1950s until 1962, when Rwanda achieved independence a Hutu movement was born. The Hutu movement was gaining momentum and national recognition; the violence conducted during this period forced thousands of Tutsis to leave the country. In 1961 Belgium sponsored the federal election and a Hutu man, Gregoire Kayibanda was elected to power. This Hutu revolution excluded Tutsis from government and military. Kayibanda’s successor,

As a self-proclaimed history junkie, I am almost ashamed to admit that prior to reading “Left to Tell,” I had never even heard of the Rwandan genocide. From the moment I picked up this novel I was eager to educate myself on this tragic piece of history that I had so naively missed. The epitome of strength and perseverance, Immaculée Ilibagiza’s firsthand account of the genocide was nothing short of heart wrenching. I hung on to her every word as she restored my faith in the power of prayer and forgiveness.

Because the genocide was, “conducted in ethnic terms” (Jones, pg. 16), I pray to God that I Immaculee can teach you my greatest gift to love your enemies for they are you.

Prior to colonial era, Rwanda had larger population of Hutus compared to Tutsis and Twa. Rwanda as a country was divided into three ethnic groups i.e. Hutu (approximately about 85%), Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%) (United Nations). Although, Tutsis were the minorities, they belonged to the higher strata compared to the other ethnic groups; Tutsis were privileged and had power and control over the Hutus and Twas. “Hutus were formerly bound to their Tutsi patrons via client ship” (Sinema, 2012). When Rwanda was colonized by Germany followed by Belgium, they favored Tutsis as they represented the upper class prior to the colonization. These created a social system like feudal system where there was a power difference between the Hutus and the Tutsis. Tutsis were considered as lord and the Hutus on the other hand, were considered as peasants. As a consequence, this created an ethic tension between the Hutus and the Tutsis and created a system more like apartheid. Nonetheless, they managed to co exist in Rwanda until they were decolonized. Although there is no social distinction between the Hutus and the Tutsis, the conflict between these tribes increased tremendously after the independence from Belgian that led to mass murder and ethnic cleansing of the Tutsi by the Hutu.