Pencil/Charcoal

During the hard times of Covid-19, it is important to care about one another. We must wear masks, and protect ourselves and others.

The Rwandan Genocide was a mass slaughter of the Tutsis by the Hutus. There was a lot of hatred in this genocide, and many metaphors were used to promote violence and reason. According to The Atlantic, many broadcast supporters of the Hutus called the extermination of the Tutsis “cutting down the tall trees”. This was because, usually, a Tutsi was taller than the average Hutu. In my artwork, I drew a Rwandan Tutsi soldier who represents a tree. The parts of the tree are broken to symbolize “the tall trees being cut down.” The head dress is also made out of wood to further make my point. The red background symbolizes the blood shed during this genocide and how it was based on ethnic cleansing. The Tutsi soldier, drawn in black and white, emphasizes the emptiness and hopelessness they experience as the Tutsi people. The Rwandan conflict has exposed me to the evils of genocide. It has taught me that it is important to be accepting of all peoples.