This placard from the Kigali Memorial captures much of what I’ve been wondering about since my arrival in Kigali. Today, Rwandans talk about reconciliation and unity. After genocidaires go through the gacaca process, apologize for their crimes, and serve their communities as directed by the gacaca court, they are considered ex-combatants and are supposedly accepted back into society. I’ve asked many Rwandans if they can genuinely forgive someone for killing their families and then live as neighbors once again. The answers have run the gamut: “Yes, I will forgive;” “No, I can never accept this person back into society;” and “We have no choice, so I will.” I wonder what Chantal would say today?
More photos of the Memorial here.
