The Banality of Courage: Stories of ordinary people who risked their lives to save others in the midst of evil Stories of rescue in the midst of genocide in Rwanda Hypothesis: Negative stereotypes that portray 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 Holocaust Stories of heroic rescuers such as Schindler, Wallenberg, Sugihara... Stories of heroic rescuers such as Schindler, Wallenberg, Sugihara... The documentation of “righteous gentiles” at the Yad Vashem memorial museum in Jerusalem. The documentation of “righteous gentiles” at the Yad Vashem memorial museum in Jerusalem. Pearl and Samuel Oliner, The Altruistic Personality: Rescuers of Jews in Nazi Europe. (Perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers interviewed) Pearl and Samuel Oliner, The Altruistic Personality: Rescuers of Jews in Nazi Europe. (Perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers interviewed) Collections by Martin Gilbert and Robert Satloff Collections by Martin Gilbert and Robert Satloff

Genocide and mass violence in the 20 th 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? In the aftermath of mass violence and genocide RECONCILIATION is possible. In the aftermath of mass violence and genocide RECONCILIATION is possible. Reconciliation is a nebulous concept but scholars assume that many variables are involved. Governmental institutions, justice proceedings, education, and mass media policies are the most significant variables. Reconciliation is a nebulous concept but scholars assume that many variables are involved. Governmental institutions, justice proceedings, education, and mass media policies are the most significant variables. Stories of courageous rescuers that undermine negative stereotypes can contribute to reconciliation Stories of courageous rescuers that undermine negative stereotypes can contribute to reconciliation

RWANDA 1994 Genocide started after attack on President’s plane Hutu’s wage genocide against Tutsi minority Military and interahamwe forces deployed Roughly 800,000 murdered in 3 months Today: The Tutsi minority is generally in control of the government. There is a somewhat tenuous peace. Gacaca trials are ongoing in villages and towns

2008 population 10 million Ethnic categories are approximately Hutu 84 % Tutsis 15 % Twa 1 %

NyamataSchoolgirl in village

Silas NtamfurayishyaliNyamata

Epimaque Munyiragwe Nyamata

Odette Umulisa Kibuye

Innocent Ndamyimana Gisanura and Gitabita Nyantantaba Kibuye

Hadj Bazirake Jumaine Gisenye

Boys greeting car Gihara

Christine Mutimura Sister mary-Patrice MukandutiyeFelicita

Mwitakuze Felicita Gihara

Valentine Umuratwa on her wedding day

Muslim shopkeeperButare

Courageous individuals such as the rescuers can be us (or perhaps our children) What characteristics did most of the rescuers have in common (compared to bystanders)? What characteristics did most of the rescuers have in common (compared to bystanders)? a sense of personal efficacy a sense of personal efficacy a sense that people in the other group were no less worthy a sense that people in the other group were no less worthy a fear that not responding in a moral way would cause them a fear that not responding in a moral way would cause them to feel guilt or shame to feel guilt or shame 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 sense that all people deserve respect a religious or extended moral sense of obligation to outsiders (15% “religious”) - a sense that all people deserve respect justice and fairness perceived in global terms (Oliners, 1983) justice and fairness perceived in global terms (Oliners, 1983) 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 a corrupt system (Zimbardo. 2007) 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 a corrupt system (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 Fund UUP Nejra Nuna Cengic Stephen Gatsinzi Edmond Murenzi Jim Greenberg, Alan Caswell, Deb McClenon ODK Gladys