After a terrorist attack, after intense crisis, after prolonged war, we always say we won't forget.
“Remember the Alamo.”
“Remember the Maine.”
“The War to End All Wars.”
Political purposes often leverage these events. Over the course of time, many leaders attempted galvanizing generation after generation of people to rally against future destruction, but regardless, these catastrophes remain etched into our national memory to this day. Columbine, 9/11, and Newtown indelibly mark our generation. Around the globe, wars, drought, famine, and genocide still ravage communities.
How do we move from “never forget” to “never again"?
All Pictures are Personal Photographs Taken at a Memorial for Genocide Victims Just Outside Kigali, Rwanda
Twenty years ago, a genocide ripped apart the country of Rwanda. Entire families disappeared, and other families fled to neighboring countries. While far from perfection, the healing and redemption occurring in the intervening years is truly remarkable.
For example, with an overwhelmed and under-staffed justice system in the wake of the genocide, the government utilized gacaca courts based upon a traditional community model for resolving disputes. The gacaca courts facilitated reconciliation. With irregular effectiveness, the system nonetheless offered the opportunity for individual communities participation in rebuilding trust.
My Friend Whose Family Died During the Genocide
Today, Rwandans face unique challenges and embrace new opportunities. Almost 42 percent of the population is under the age of 14. The median age is 18.8 years. This puts Rwanda with the 27th youngest population in the world. Despite the genocide, Rwanda is growing, and the young people of the country have the opportunity to usher in a bright future.
The story of Rwanda is the story of many countries and many communities around the world. From the Greeks immortalizing the 300 Spartans to the cities bathing their capitols in the colors of the French flag, they represent things remembered. However, it is time to stop just remembering.
It is futile simply remembering something occurred. Lack of action brings recurrence. Twenty years ago, warning signs blazed bright in Rwanda until it was too late, and the country erupted. Despite the harbingers of the genocide, chaos reigned and millions died.
This Church Held a Chapel-full of People When Grenades Went Off Inside and Busted Out All the Windows
No magical 10-step process exists ending these tragedies. I have no single solution for preventing a harrowing event like the Holocaust at Auschwitz or a solitary gunman wreaking havoc. However, I do know I will not stay silent about the chaos simmering around the world.
Start here: South Sudan, Burundi and Yemen.
What storm clouds do you see on the horizon? What will you do about it? What solutions can you offer?
This time, do not stop after changing the filter on your Facebook profile picture. Never forget but never again.
We will never let it happen again.
