Faith and Trust in Rwanda (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
Series: Voices on Genocide Prevention
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Length: 00:22:38
Also in the Voices on Genocide Prevention series
Gender-Based Violence in Eastern Congo (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:16:38)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Rebecca Feeley, a field researcher for the ENOUGH Project, discusses the current situation in Congo, particularly the massive problem of gender-based violence.
Mobutu’s Legacy and Congo Today (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:21:56)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Congolese journalist and writer, Mvemba Dizolele, joins Committee on Conscience Project Director Bridget Conley-Zilkic to discuss the legacy of long-time ruler of then Zaire ...
Violence in the Northern Caucasus (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:21:25)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Gregory Shvedov discusses the current situation in Chechnya and the spread of violence throughout the Northern Caucasus.
A Fond Farewell (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:18:08)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Jerry Fowler reflects on his time at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Tending the Youth Movement in Serbia (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:14:39)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Dragan Popovic, program coordinator with the Serbian non-governmental organization, Youth Initiative for Human Rights, discusses youth involvement in human rights issues and ...
The Impossible Mandate? (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:18:14)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Victoria Holt, senior associate at the Henry L. Stimson Center, discusses the challenges that peacekeeping forces have faced in genocidal situations, and what that implies ...
Narrating Atrocities (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:18:58)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
James Dawes (professor of English at Macalester College) discusses the role of storytelling in making atrocities known to the world.
Amel Means "Hope" (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:24:57)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Dr. Mohammed-Ahmed Abdallah, medical director of the Amel Center for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in Darfur, speaks about the current situation in Darfur.
Tents of Hope (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:23:51)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Darfur activist Tim Nonn discusses his latest national campaign, "Tents of Hope," and the challenge of maintaining hope and bearing witness in the face of genocide.
Women for Women in Congo (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
(00:22:57)
From: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Christine Karumba, country director for Women for Women International in the Democratic Republic of Congo, talks about how conflict has changed her life and how her ...
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Carl Wilkens, the only American known to stay in Rwanda throughout the genocide, discusses the choice he made in 1994 to remain in Kigali, the challenges Rwandans faced in resisting participation in the massacres, and how his faith and trust in God allowed him to take action. Carl is featured in the Committee on Conscience's newest DVD, Defying Genocide.
Broadcast History
Also available on the Website.
Transcript
FEBRUARY 15, 2007, FAITH AND TRUST IN RWANDA
JERRY FOWLER: My guest today is Carl Wilkens. In 1994 when the genocide began in Rwanda, Carl and his family were living in Kigali, Rwanda?s capital. When Westerners were evacuated in the early days of the genocide, Carl sent his family on but stayed behind. He is the only American known to have stayed in Kigali throughout the genocide and ended up saving hundreds if not thousands of lives. Carl, welcome to the program.
CARL WILKENS: Thank you very much; good to be here.
JERRY FOWLER: Carl, that day in April, or those days when the genocide was just beginning and there was a very massive evacuation operation for all of the Westerners really to leave Rwanda, how did you make the choice not to leave?
CARL WILKENS: I think it was definitely a process that started before that day. We had even had a meeting, probably a couple weeks earl...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porno Starlet vs. Rodeo Clown | Califone | Roomsound. | Thrill Jockey | 2001 | 00:00 |
Additional Files
- Wilkens (image_wilkens.jpg)
Related Website
Chris Chambers
Posted on May 26, 2007 at 09:42 AM | Permalink
Review of Faith and Trust in Rwanda (Voices on Genocide Prevention)
To quote Hamlet - words, words, words. Why should I do that when this is a story about taking action? This is about a genocide and the death of 800,000 people. We're constantly told throughout the interview that Carl remained in Kigali during those deadly weeks and took - action. Well great but let's hear about what that action was. At no stage does that happen. Instead, at least it seems to me, we hear a rather dull account of the reasoning to stay and a pulpit approach to morality. I have interviewed people who were also in Kigila during that time and there are extraordinary stories to be told. I'm sure Carl has similar ones but the questioning was such that there was never an opportunity for them to come out. Disappointing.