We need a generation of critical thinkers

Editor,It’s true that we need joint efforts to fight Genocide denial. The specter of Genocide has never ceased to haunt Rwandan consciousness. The 100 days of remembrance leaves us with complex and pressing questions to ponder as to why it occurred:How could Genocide happen? What kind of history could give rise to this violence? Why did the international community fail to intervene? How can Rwanda re-build to avoid similar debacles? These and many more questions still linger in the minds of many Rwandans in these last two decades. As we seek to answer these complex questions, there is need for a paradigm shift from prejudice and bigotry to justice and tolerance-shifting from ideology of hate to love and bringing up good people that value humanity. Joint effort is needed to go an extra mile and cover a wider perspective of the public about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. How it was stopped disseminates factual evidence by raising the awareness of the causes and dynamics of the same to advocate and mobilise for an appropriate action.Civic education on Genocide will help in understanding the forces that undermine peace and cultivate a culture of love and unity. Positive thinking ought to be emphasised to our young generations to love the history and culture of Rwanda as a preventive measure for moral decay. Let history be seen, told and be preserved for both justice and commemoration. We need to choose hope over fear and lift our eyes beyond the dangers of today to seek a new beginning. Rwanda’s will and ability to prevent, deter and respond to the threats and ideologies of genocide calls for a long-lasting campaign.There is need to establish a centre/museum for prevention of genocide as a living memorial that will inspire citizens and leaders the world over on how to confront hatred, prevent genocide and promote human dignity by teaching people about the dangers of unchecked hatred and cultivate a sense of moral responsibility among the people.Any meaningful change must come from the bottom, at the grassroots. This will definitely take us to an improved public understanding of the past to create better citizens. We should endeavor to transform the mindsets of our people to become critical thinkers.David Nkusi, Rwanda Reaction to the story, “New joint effort to fight genocide denial” (The New Times, December 9)

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We need a generation of critical thinkers