Introduction to Genocide Cornell Notes

What is Genocide? As defined by the United Nations in 1948, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national ethnic, racial, or religious group, including: Killing members of the group Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group. Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. Taking measures to prevent births within the group. Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Activity #1: Draw a small circle map: Next, I will show you the next slide that has other definitions of genocide. After reading the definitions, brainstorm using the Below circle map, and write down whatever comes to mind when you think of genocide around the world; i.e. statements, words, questions, countries, etc. MINIMUM of 6 things in your Circle Map. Genocide

Other definitions of genocide: The systematic and planned extermination of an entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group The deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political or cultural group 3 entries found for genocide: Main Entry: ethnic cleansing Part of Speech: noun Definition: mass killing of an ethnic group Synonyms: final solution, genocide, holocaust, mass destruction, mass extermination, mass murder, pogrom, race extermination, race murder, Roman holiday, ruthless clearance of populace, wholesale murder Main Entry: mass murder Part of Speech: noun Definition: mass killing Synonyms: bloodbath, butchering, carnage, ethnic cleansing, extermination, final solution, genocide, holocaust, massacre, mass destruction, mass execution, mass extermination, race extermination, race-murder, Roman holiday, slaughter, wholesale Murder Main Entry: massacre Definition: killing Synonyms: annihilation, assassination, bloodbath, bloodshed, butchery, carnage, decimation, extermination, genocide, internecine, murder, slaughter, slaying

Below your circle Map, label your paper Activity #2 Below your circle Map, label your paper Activity #2. Answer yes or no to the following questions; restating question in your response. HAVE YOU EVER…? Answer truthfully. It is for your eyes only! Use the response format I provided. Have you ever: 1. Overheard a joke that made fun of a person of a different ethnic background, race, religion, or sexual orientation? I have/ have not heard a joke that…..For example, … 2. Been the target of name calling because of your ethnic group, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation? I have/ have not been the target of… 3. Made fun of someone different than you? I have/ have not made…..For example,… 4. Engaged in stereotyping (lumping together all people of a particular race, religion, or sexual orientation? (Ex. White men can’t jump.) I have/ have not engaged in stereotyping. For example,… 5. Been threatened by someone different from you because of your difference? I have/ have not been threatened by someone because of my difference. For example, … 6. Committed an act of violence against someone because that person is different from you? I have/ have not committed an act of violence….For example, …

Below your responses to Activity #2, Label your paper Activity #3 Below your responses to Activity #2, Label your paper Activity #3. Discussion board questions. Respond to questions using the provided format. 1) Why do you think people tell ethnic jokes about other groups, insult others, or exclude them socially? People tell ethnic jokes about other groups, insult others, and exclude them socially, because… 2) Why would these differences cause a person to “put down” someone else? These differences would cause a person to “put down” someone else because… 3) Where do people learn to disrespect people who seem different? People learn to disrespect people who seem different from… 4) Can you give an example of a prejudice you have learned through the media? An example of a prejudice I have learned from the media is…

Below Activity #3 or on the back of your paper, label your paper Activity #4: Pyramid of hate Based on the case study, answer the following questions: A. Where would you place “whispering and laughing” on the Pyramid? Whispering and laughing would be placed… B. Why do you think that what seemed harmless initially progressed into violence? It progressed into violence when… C. Even if it seemed harmless to the perpetrators and bystanders, do you think it felt harmless to the victim? How do you think he felt? The victim probably felt… D. At what level of the pyramid do you think it would be easiest for someone to intervene? What would be some possible ways to intervene? It would be easiest to intervene… Some possible ways to intervene would be…

Below Activity #4, Label your paper Activity #5 “The Eight Stages of Genocide.” Copy down the stages 1-8 in your notes. 1) Classification: All cultures have categories to distinguish people into “us and them” by ethnicity, race, religion or nationality. If societies are too divided, they are most likely to have genocide. 2) Symbolization: We give names or other symbols to the classifications of ethnicity, race, religion, or nationality. When combined with hatred, symbols may be forced upon unwilling members of minority groups; i.e. the yellow star for Jews under Nazi rule. 3) Dehumanization: When one group treats another group as second class citizens. The group may be compared with animals, parasites, insects, diseases, etc. This makes it easier for the group in control to murder them. 4) Organization: Genocides are always organized by the state or by terrorist groups. Army units/ militias are trained and armed. Plans are made for genocidal killings. 5) Polarization: Extremists drive groups apart, broadcast propaganda that enforces prejudice and hate. Laws forbid intermarriage or social interaction between groups. Intimidation is used. 6) Preparation: Victims are identified and separated out because of their ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are drawn up. 7) Extermination: Mass killing legally called “genocide.” 8) Denial: Always follows genocide. The perpetrators try to cover up the evidence and intimidate the witnesses. Perpetrators deny crimes and blame victims. Leaders of genocide continue to deny unless captured and a tribunal (special court) is established.