Blog Post 10: WP1: Pre-Write Assignment 3

The Rwanda and Burundi highlands are the last part of Africa to be reached by Europeans in the colonial expansion of the late 19th century. Before then, local tradition tells of many centuries during which the Tutsi, a tall cattle-rearing people, infiltrate the area and win dominance over the Hutu, the people who already habitat the land and are living by agriculture.

The history begins at the reign of Rwabugiri. He comes to the throne in 1860 and eventually comes to gain control over land almost as large as present Rwanda. His area is comprised of a feudal system; with the Tutsi as the aristocracy and the Hutu their vassals. The Tutsi-Hutu divide is by class and occupation, the racial distinction has been blurred by intermarriage and honorary status's, the Tutsi are the upper class and are mostly herdsmen. The Hutu are the lower class people who, for the most part, live by farming.

In 1894, Count von Götzen, the first European to enter Rwanda, comes to visit the court. In the next year the king dies and with Rwanda in turmoil over the succession, the Germans move in to claim the land for the Kaiser as well as Burundi. They treated both areas as one colony, Ruanda-Urundi. For the fact that these colonies are very inaccessible, German rule is indirect and is not yet extensive when the region is taken form their hands abruptly after the outbreak of the European war in 1914. Fast-forward two years and Germany is invading Belgium. Belgium retaliates by moving east to occupy Ruanda-Urundi. The League of Nations confirms the existing state of affairs and grants Belgium a mandate in 1924, allowing them to administer the colony. From 1925 Ruanda-Urundi is linked with the Belgian Congo, however, colonial rule takes differing forms in the two territories. The administration of Ruanda-Urundi is left in the hands of the Tutsi. The Belgians, observing the distinction between Tutsi and Hutu, make it the very core of their colonial system.

The Hutu are subject to forced labor. From 1933 everyone is issued a racial identity card. They are defined as Hutu, Tutsi or Twa. Consequence of the Belgium’s attitude towards the groups they set the mood for the future violence. In 1959, the first outbreak of violence is sparked when a group of Tutsi political activists beat up a Hutu rival, The resulting nationwide campaign of Hutu violence against Tutsi is known as 'the wind of destruction' (HistoryWorld). Over many months the Tutsi flee from Ruanda, in 1960 the Hutu score an overwhelming victory in the election, declaring their independence. The tow parts Ruanda-Urundi become independent in July 1962 and the names were changes to Rwanda and Burundi.

The first presidential election is won by Kayibanda. In the spirit of his movements, ‘cockroaches'(HistoryWorld) becomes the favored slang name for the Tutsi. In December of 1963 several hundred Tutsi guerillas infiltrate southern Rwanda. They advance not even twelve miles to the capital, Kigali, before they are eliminated by the Rwandan army. After declaring a state of emergency, within days, 14,000 Tutsi are massacred. It was described as 'the most horrible and systematic massacre'(HistoryWorld) since the holocaust.

The Tutsi form a group the Rwandan Patriot Front (RPF) to try and infiltrate Rwanda. There are many unsuccessful attempts. Following the issuance of the Hutu Ten Commandments under the rule of Habyarimina; because of this, extremist supporters formed groups, Interhamwe, to rid Rwanda once and for all of their "infestation". August of 1993 President Habyarimina signs a peace treaty, officially bringing the war to an end and allowing the return of all Rwandan Refugees. These concessions seem outrageous to the Interhamwe and their political masters, April 6, 1994, Hutu extremists fire a rocket and bring down a plane, and in it contained two presidents- the head of state in Burundi and Habyarimina.

The assassination of the president is the immediate prelude to the large amount of Hutu extremism. Radio broadcasts urge people to "do their duty"(HistoryWorld) and seek out the Tutsis and their sympathizers. "Eliminate the cockroaches"(HistoryWorld) is the message. On April 29th the radio announces that May 5th is to be the 'cleanup' day by which the capital must be cleansed of Tutsis. "One notorious broadcast even suggests a necessary precaution in the interests of thoroughness; unborn children should be ripped form the wombs of dead Tutsi women who are pregnant"(HistoryWorld). Between April and July some 800,000 Rwandans are slaughtered.

With this new found information there are several new ways one can interpret and analyze the photo. The woman in the shadows could be representative to the Hutu in the beginning under the Tutsi rule, who are represented by the woman out in the open. The dark sky and background suggests the dark future they will soon endure. The fact they are standing in green land and not around houses is symbolic to the agricultural start the land was founded. Another viewpoint one could take on this photo would be that the woman in the shadows is actually the Tutsi and the other group is the Hutu because they greatly outnumbered the Tutsi, and when you first look at the picture the visual hierarchy focuses your attention to the colorful group in the open.


Works Cited

"History of RWANDA." HistoryWorld. Web. 01 Oct. 2009. http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad24.

"Hutu -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 01 Oct. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutu.

"Interahamwe / Peuple en armes pour la liberation du Rwanda (PALIR) /." GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable Security Information. Web. 01 Oct. 2009. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/interahamwe.htm.

"Kangura: The 'Hutu Ten Commandments'" Truman Web Design Dot Com - Home. Web. 01 Oct. 2009. http://www.trumanwebdesign.com/~catalina/commandments.htm.

"Kigeli IV of Rwanda -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 01 Oct. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kigeli_IV_of_Rwanda.

"Tutsi - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage, Relationships, Living conditions." Countries and Their Cultures. Web. 01 Oct. 2009. http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Brazil-to-Congo-Republic-of/Tutsi.html.

Blog Post 9: WP1: Pre-Write Assignment 2

The people in the photo are arranged in a way that it shows a distinct separation between the two groups is land. Perhaps the photographer is demonstrating two sides to the people in his community.

The woman on the left is the part of his people that is sad and disparaged; and the groups on the right in the brightly colored clothes and in the sunlight symbolize the happiness the group on the left is trying to obtain. However, because of "the land" in the middle (rebel forces) the happiness she yearns for is further than it appears.

At first glance of this photo the visual hierarchy is as follows: the colorful group on the left, the woman and children in the shadows and then the background and sky. The photographer uses the contrasting groups and the sky not only as a visual hierarchy but also as vectors of attention. As aforementioned the group in the shadows could be representative of the sadness of the people while the group on the right is the happiness they could be a part of, while the sky emits on imminent danger to both, perhaps.

The ethos of the photo lies with the photographer because we know that he lives in this country, this country that is torn apart by war the audience has no choice but to trust him. To trust him to depict the truth in a very raw and genuine way. When you look at the photo you feel as though you want to help these people. I want, as an audience member, to be able to take away their pain and suffering and to make them and their country whole again. I believe the argument trying to be made here is that Dominique challenges us to climb out of your comfort zone of protection and security we feel in our own country and to try and experience the lives and hardships that others around the world feel and experience everyday of their lives.

Blog Post 8 WP1: Pre-Write Assignment

The photographer of this photo is Dominique, born in 1991. Bihonda Dominique arrived at the Imbabazi Orphanage May 6th, 1998 at age seven. He was brought to the orphanage by Roberto Mauri of Doctors Without Boarders. He told him that he saw both of his parents killed by machetes at Byumba. For nearly six months he never smiled. Now he is a good student and is at the Kanzenze Secondary School.

I found this photo on the website, Through the Eyes of Children. It is a project that began as a photographic workshop in 2000. It was created by photographer, David Jiramek, and was inspired by Rosamond Carr, founder of the Imbabazi Orphanage.

It first began with using disposable cameras, the children took pictures to share with others. To show them their community, and to find beauty as the country they live in struggles continually to rebuild. The pictures were, at first, developed locally and displayed on the walls of the orphanage and put in photo albums by the children. However, in 2001, the children were invited by the US Embassy to exhibit their work in the capital, Kigali, where the photographs were sold and all the proceeds went towards the education of the children.

In a country plagued by an internal war there is strong separation of the people and with this woman and her two children in dark clothing and in the shadows is separated from the other woman surrounded by other children could be showing this separation. Another contrast that could be demonstrated in this photo could be the wealth of families. If there are poor people in a land then there must be people with money. The woman standing in the shadows could be a representation of the disenfranchised in Africa. The woman with the several children and bright clothes could demonstrate a family with more money, after all, she has more mouths to feed.

On account of the fact that there are no buildings or houses in het photograph it makes me feel as though housing is scarce, and with the people not wearing shoes, living conditions are horrible.

Works Cited
"About the Project." Through the Eyes of Children. Web. .

Blog Post 7: Photography

Photography has always been my United States to Christopher Columbus, unexplored territory that will eventually be discovered. I have always been a naturally curious person, delighting in learning about anything and everything to do with creating something unique and beautiful. Whether it be acting on stage, singing an opera composed by Verdi, playing an instrument to the best of my abilities, drawing inspiration, composing a novel or writing a poem from the heart; capturing a beautiful moment or telling a story with the snap of a camera has not been one of the things I've been able to do.

I have always been interested in Photography. They say pictures speak a thousand words and I have always been afraid that I will capture the wrong words or do something wrong so that the photo does not depict what I wanted it to. Taking a photo and photography, to me, are two entirely different things. Anyone can take a photo but not everyone can create a photo, which is how I characterize photography; a creation.

When you look at a photo you can be moved by it. Much like a good poem or song can evoke emotions in you a picture can make you feel something; a single moment in time taken in the right light, at the perfect time, with the right camera and at the right focus. With so many contributing factors it's almost scary having to be held by such standards. However, that’s what always drew me to it. Drawing becomes better with practice, singing with the right technique, acting and writing with your passion . But being a photographer, a good photographer, takes more than practice, technique and passion. It takes a good eye, it takes talent and patience. And that’s something I've always wanted to capture.

Blog Post 5: Eminem-Beautiful. Ethos, Pathos, Logos.

Eminem makes several arguements throughout the entire song. Almost each verse is an arguement within itself with the use of pathos as tehe basis for most. At the beginnig of the song the slow tempo and drawn out phrases coupled with the aesthetics og the video one feels a sense of loss and hurt. The audiences assumptions are made a reality when Eminem begins rapping his first verse:

"...I just can't seem to get out this slump./ If I could just get over this hump./ But I need something to pull me out this dump./ I took my bruises, took my lumps./ Fell down and I got right back up./ And in order for me to pick the mic back up,/ I don't know why or when I ended up in this position I'm in/ I'm starting to feel dissin' again./ So I decided to pick this pen/ up and try to make and attempt to vent/ But I just can't admit/ or come to grips with the fact I may be done with rap/ I need a new outlet./ And I know some s--t's hard to swallow./ But I just can't sit back and wallow/ In my own sorrow/ But I know one fact./ I'll be one tough act to follow."

While Emimem is telling a sad story, he also tells one of hope and perserverence. He "took his bruises" but "got right back up". Also he believes he may be done with rap and "some s--it's hard to swallow" but he can't "sit back and wallow" in his "own sorrow" and he ends it with the optimistic fact that he'll "be one tough act to follow." In one verse he was abel to envoke feelings of sadness and hurt and turn them into feelings of renewal and hope. Which brings back the aforementioned point of him using pathos to create logos. With these feelings he is envoking in his audience he is making the arguement that terrible things happen to you in life, however, only you can truly change how your life plays out.