Survivor speaks out against genocide

Students crowded into Wolff Auditorium for the opportunity to hear the inspiring story of Rwandan genocide survivor Joseph Sebarenzi on Monday night.

The former speaker of the Rwandan parliament told the audience his story of suffering, but also of his commitment to kindness, forgiveness and reconciliation.

"I cannot forgive genocide, but I can forgive those who were involved in it," he said.

Sebarenzi endured the 1994 Tutsi genocide that claimed the lives of more than 800,000 people, including his parents, seven siblings and numerous other relatives. Today, he recounts his story to audiences across the country and imparts a message of peace and reconciliation.

Author of "God Sleeps in Rwanda: A Journey of Transformation," Sebarenzi expressed his ongoing struggle to overcome anger and bitterness to commit himself to a life filled with love, compassion and forgiveness.

Sebarenzi was born in Rwanda during a civil war that began in 1954 between the Tutsi and the Hutu. Raised in a time of conflict, he recalled times his family had to flee their home and turn to Hutu neighbors for help.

 "Every time I thought of the Hutu who did wrong to me, I thought of the Hutu that took me in and protected me," Sebarenzi said.

Before the genocide began in April 1994, Sebarenzi fled the country with his wife, children and brother only to return to complete devastation.

"The Rwanda I saw was no longer the Rwanda that I knew," Sebarenzi said. "To say that I was devastated is an understatement."

Faced with a broken country, Sebarenzi said all he could do was help those who survived. He understood, despite the acts of genocide, that reconciliation could break the cycle of violence.

"If revenge is the cure to this virus that has affected Rwanda all these years, then I'll do it," Sebarenzi said, recalling a conversation he had with a friend. "But it wasn't."

Sebarenzi concluded the evening with a question- and-answer period.

"From a college perspective, I thought his story was a good reality check," sophomore Becca Barad said. "And even though the problems I'm dealing with in life are small potatoes compared to the ones he faced, his message of bitterness being destructive is very applicable."