You just viewed a scene from the film "Hotel Rwanda" starring Don Cheadle. This film is an account of the genocide that took places in this country in 1994. For hundreds of years, the two major tribes of Rwanda were the Hutu and the Tutsi. They lived together with no animosity between them. When Belgium colonized Rwanda, they gave preferential treatment to the Tutsi because they (the Belgium's), thought the Tutsi's to be "superior" due to the fact that they were taller, their skin was lighter and their noses where pointier. This caused a divide between individuals of Hutu and Tutsi descent even after the era of colonization came to an end. As new generations were born, they no longer blamed the Belgium's, they blamed the Tutsi's themselves because the new generation of Tutsi's (growing up in this divided culture) began to see themselves as different from the Hutu.
In this particular scene, a hotel manger (who is a Hutu) by the name of Paul is buying supplies from a distributor and fellow Hutu. Paul is hiding Tutsi friends and neighbors in his hotel and the news is spreading that Paul is a Tutsi (Hutu's also refer to them as cockroaches) sympathizer.
What does your text say about Dominance and Subordination between Groups?
How did the discrimination by the Belgium's change the cultural perceptions of these people?
Impact of Colonialism on Dominance and Subordination in Rwanda
The historical context of colonialism in Rwanda, particularly under Belgian rule, significantly influenced the dynamics of dominance and subordination between the two major ethnic groups, the Hutu and the Tutsi. The preferential treatment given to the Tutsi by the Belgians, based on physical characteristics perceived as superior, created a power imbalance that exacerbated existing tensions and sowed the seeds of division and conflict between the two groups.
Dominance and Subordination between Groups
The colonial legacy of favoring the Tutsi over the Hutu based on arbitrary physical attributes such as height, skin color, and nose shape reinforced a hierarchy that positioned the Tutsi as superior and the Hutu as inferior. This hierarchical structure perpetuated notions of dominance and subordination within Rwandan society, leading to resentment, envy, and competition for power and resources between the two groups. The dehumanization of the Tutsi as "cockroaches" by the extremist elements among the Hutu further exacerbated the dynamics of oppression and marginalization.
Cultural Perceptions and Discrimination
The discriminatory practices of the Belgians not only institutionalized power imbalances but also deeply ingrained notions of ethnic superiority and inferiority within Rwandan society. By systematically favoring the Tutsi elite and marginalizing the Hutu majority, the colonial authorities perpetuated divisions along ethnic lines that persisted long after the end of colonial rule. The cultural perceptions of Hutu and Tutsi as inherently different and unequal were reinforced through education, administration, and social norms, shaping intergroup relations and identities for generations to come.
Impact on Modern Society
The legacy of colonial discrimination continues to reverberate in modern Rwandan society, as evidenced by the deep-rooted tensions and resentments between Hutu and Tutsi communities that culminated in the tragic genocide of 1994. The intergenerational trauma and mistrust stemming from historical injustices have hindered efforts at reconciliation and nation-building, highlighting the enduring impact of colonialism on social cohesion, cultural perceptions, and identity formation in Rwanda.
In conclusion,
the discriminatory practices of the Belgian colonizers not only entrenched power dynamics of dominance and subordination between the Hutu and Tutsi but also shaped cultural perceptions and identities within Rwandan society. The lasting effects of colonialism continue to influence intergroup relations and societal dynamics, underscoring the need for acknowledgment, healing, and reconciliation to address historical injustices and promote a more inclusive and equitable future for all Rwandans.