Race In Rwanda Genocide

The first similar phase of genocide was the categorization of hated groups. Investigated by the USHMM (2015), throughout Europe the difference between “Inferior” and “Superior” races became a common thought process. The races considered “Inferior” were Jews, Roma gypsies, Homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Polish, upon others. While these groups were classified as “Inferior” Hitler often referred to the Aryan race as the pure race of the world. The categorization of these “Inferior” groups were often supplemented as well with emblems they became legally forced to wear after Kristallnacht was passed in 1938. Jewish citizens throughout occupied Europe were forced to wear a yellow Star of David sewn into their clothes to distinguish themselves when. While other groups had variations in the form of triangles such as: Roma gypsies …show more content…
The Tutsi were known as the higher class who also had genetic traits of taller height and lighter skin allowing for the shorter and darker Hutu class to easily gain support to end their reign after years of suppression (World Without Genocide, 2015). The valid identification though of Tutsi citizens in Rwanda was not as obvious as the inferior races of Europe and intellectuals of Cambodia. Instead the social classes of Rwanda were required to all carry ID cards stating whether they were Hutu, Tutsi, or Twa (Human Rights Watch, 2015). The Hutu lead revolution ensured citizens carried the ID cards with them everywhere they went to classify their social class identity. The Tutsis tall and lighter features also fueled hate from the Hutu due to their similarities to Europeans who had once ruled over Rwanda. The Hutu separated themselves with traditional African print clothing and the wielding of machetes. The machete was the main weapon used by the Hutu rebels to kill the Tutsi people (World Without Genocide,