In class on Monday I mentioned an interesting CSI Las Vegas episode. It captured the life of a "survivor" of the Rwandan genocide (Laurent). I went and found this episode on HULU and it can be directly viewed using this link. Aside from the normal investigation that ensues on any episode of CSI, the remaining scenes are extremely captivating. When matching fingerprints an agent matches one to Matthew Babajide, a member of the Hutu Power Movement wanted for crimes during the Rwandan genocide. When the agent looks at the picture of Matthew Babajide, she realizes Matthew and Laurent are the same person.
The episode ends with these last words from Matthew Babajide, "Lucky is the man who never has to confront what he’s capable of." It’s a powerful cap to a such an unexpectedly moving episode. This episode manages to showcase what humanity is capable of in both terrible and marvelous ways. Laurent’s crimes and the nauseating racism of the white supremacist group is one end of the spectrum, but on the other side there’s Sean, whose lot in life filled him with anger and hatred… until an unlikely friendship brought out his compassionate side. If this episode highlights the terrible, horrible evil humanity is capable of, it also shows the opposite as well: that our capacity for change is a great strength.
It is nice to see that the media is giving light to these things that are happening in Africa. Love CSI
ReplyDeleteI am excited to watch this episode despite the toughness of the issues it presents.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of an issue we discussed in my other class, about former Nazis who were rehabilitated into society. This is probably not very Christian of me to say, but people that are involved in massacres like the Holocaust and the genocide in Rwanda should be condemned for life because of what they did. It was very sweet of the guy to try to hide from his past, to “repent”, but no, thanks. In cases as extreme as this, there is no rehab allowed. I’m so glad he was found. I hope survivors of the genocide get their hands on him someday.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not very Christian. Vengeance is bad for our own souls. We also don't know what circumstances drove them to commit the crimes. Were they child soldiers? Victims of violence? How much more powerful is there conversion to do good than is the good works of people who haven't experienced evil?
ReplyDeleteBased on the gentlemans actions, I wish they would have a second episode maybe about his trail for his crimes. It would be interesting to see how it all played out.
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