Genocide: A Historical Perspective
Genocide is not a new thing when mentioned and has existed for the longest time. By definition, Genocide refers to violent crimes which are usually committed towards a group or groups whose intent is to destroy the group and its existence totally (Goldhagen). Genocide is generally defined by the intentionally doing away of a given ethical group, tribe, or even a religious group. Unlike war, where there is a general attack due to geographical, political or religious disagreements, genocide is usually an attack on an individual's identity.
Minority Communities and the Struggle for Acceptance
In most countries, minority communities and immigrants face difficulties in their pursuit to be accepted as citizens who can freely live in that particular nation or region. The individuals that determine is allowed to live in a given society are always leaders with power and influence. Genocide, in its own settings, is a form of prejudice and discrimination in which the minority group is targeted and killed with the officials doing nothing and even supporting it. In Rwanda the Tutsi were targeted by the majority Hutu community where more than 800,000 people were killed, the Guatemala Government on-slaughter of more than 200,000 Mayans in the 1980s using its military forces, and the murdering of Jews by the Nazi led by Adolf Hitler during the Holocaust (Goldhagen). Various actions have been undertaken by national governments and the UN to combat the crisis like the prosecution of the culprits, prevention of armed conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. Ultimately, the local governments have the responsibility to protect all citizens.
Work Cited
Goldhagen, Daniel. “Genocide: Worse Than War.” YouTube, uploaded by PBS, 4 June, 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=w7cZuhqSzzc.
