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Published Jul 13, 2020

Romeo & Juliet In Rwanda

Shankar Vedantam examines the psychological underpinnings of genocide through the lens of the Rwandan tragedy, highlighting the crucial role of hate propaganda and the power of storytelling as a tool for healing and reconciliation. The episode delves into how narratives can change societal norms and behaviors, offering hope for preventing future atrocities and fostering unity in post-genocide societies.
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Episode Highlights

  • Storytelling Impact

    Storytelling has a profound impact on behavior, as demonstrated by the radio soap opera "Musa Darrell" in Rwanda. explains how the show was designed to help Rwandans recognize and overcome their divisions by weaving psychological messages into its narrative 1. The program, created by and a Dutch NGO, aimed to teach listeners how to spot and reverse early signs of violence, drawing from Staub's Holocaust experiences 2.

    The hope was in the fictitious conflict between the muhumuro and the Beaumansi Hutus and Tutsis in the audience would recognize their own story.

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    The show became a tool for healing, illustrating the power of storytelling in fostering understanding and reconciliation.

       

    Social Norms

    Social norms play a crucial role in shaping behavior, often more so than personal beliefs. highlights how the radio show "Musa Darrell" influenced Rwandans to support intermarriage, despite personal reservations 3. This phenomenon mirrors the shift in attitudes towards same-sex marriage in the U.S., where legal changes prompted behavioral shifts without altering personal beliefs 4.

    People don't always do what they believe, but they usually do what they think everyone else believes.

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    The research underscores the power of perceived social norms in driving collective behavior change.

       

    Destruction Continuum

    The gradual escalation of violence, termed the "continuum of destruction," is a critical concept in understanding genocide. describes how societal devaluation of groups can evolve into widespread violence, as seen in Rwanda 5. Radio broadcasts played a significant role in this process, spreading hate and inciting violence during the Rwandan genocide 6.

    Violence evolves. There is experimental research that shows that when a person engages in a violent action, they are likely to engage in more and greater violence.

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    Understanding this progression is vital for developing interventions to prevent future atrocities.

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