Reflection on Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda made me more aware of the power of media, how it can be used to control one’s mind. In Hotel Rwanda, Hutus used the radio station to announce false information about Tutsis. Hutus often referred Tutsis as cockroaches influencing the audience to believe that Tutsis are trying to take over Hutus’ power. The Hutus became more aggressive and built more hatred towards Tutsis. Such conflict led two ethnic groups in one country to fight each other. Not only was I shocked at how much media affected people’s minds but also was amazed at other countries’ response to Rwanda’s genocide. I realized that no one can know who to trust when it comes to war.
As European soldiers such as those from Belgium and France left from Rwanda, my heart sank in despair. How was it possible for soldiers who had weapons in their hands to leave Rwandans in a threatening, hopeless place? I clearly understood the soldiers’ duty to follow general’s orders, but I strongly disagreed on the soldiers’ decision to leave the country without solving a bloody, traumatic problem. After I saw United Nations pulling out of Milles Collines, I questioned the definition of United Nations. Isn’t U.N. supposed to keep “world” peace? Or simply, does “world” not include small country in Africa, Rwanda? I felt ashamed to be part of America. I thought America is supposed reach out to other countries and help them as much as it can; however, I found out the truth about America. America can be ignorant.

Rwanda Reflection

For one hundred days, thousands of people wished they would live another day. The genocide that occurred in April of 1994 left people in shock and misery as the death toll came to be 800,000. How is it possible for such a massacre to happen that instant? Everyday, about 10,000 confused people died. What would I have done if I were one of the people observing this chaos? My first response would be like Reporter Fergal Keane’s, terrified then, ignorant. I would have told myself, there’s nothing I can do to stop this conflict. I mean, I’m just one person. I became speechless when I read Mark Doyle’s interview. How can other countries be so ignorant towards Rwanda? The West, Belgium, France, and Italy, just came in to save their people out of Rwanda and left. They did nothing but to make the issue more complicated for United Nation. Are we enemies? Is it wrong to help each other when one is in need of support? I was ashamed of the world. I couldn’t believe the world let this bloody tragedy to happen. If all the sources in media collaborated together to announce the matter, then we could’ve saved more lives. The Hutus were successful telling bad things about Tutsis through radio. If everybody in America had their radio or television on, we could have influenced people to get involved in this massacre and try to help. After watching the movie, reading the articles, and reviewing interviews, I got more engaged in the events happening around me. I was inspired to look through the organizations that help to make difference in the world.

Leisure Poetry: Rainbow

Rainbow
By Jean Lee

I don’t love you because you gave me purple daisies.
I don’t love you because you drive navy BMW.
I don’t love you because you have sexy, blue eyes.
I don’t love you because you own a green golf field.
I don’t love you because you have sleek, blonde hair.
I don’t love you because you bought me orange Prada dress.
I love you because you have red heart towards me.

Leisure Poetry: Undeniable Temptation

Undeniable Temptation
By Jean Lee

Looking at rich, smooth chocolate
My mouth waters automatically

My left brain says,
“One won’t hurt!”

But my right brain says,
“Watch your weight!”

Same three words
But so different

The scrumptious brown substance
The addictive brown chemical

Alarm! Alarm!
The chocolate jumped on to my hand

Drop it! No, eat it!
I freeze myself

The next thing I know
I had gained one pound.

Leisure Poetry: Ant Life

Ant Life
By Jean Lee

Look at us
We are a small dust
Through the eyes you see
You don’t even recognize

How is it
Fair to you people
To step on us?
We don’t even get a chance

You destroyed
My home and
My family
This is unfair

I want change
I want you
To Experience my life
How painful it is

You will know when the time comes
You are murderers
You kill my family and friends
You are murderers.

A Funny Poetry from Poetryamerica.com

How School Works
© By Steven J. Engelhardt

Spectacular!
Today is Monday,
You're off to that dreaded place,
5 days a week you spend here,
You'll never escape!
You have your books,
You have your brain,
When the day is through,
It'll be in a lot of pain,
And you have your friends,
Some good and some great,
But talk to them too much and you'll be late.
Keep your grades up though and watch with care,
Someday you'll look at colleges and say I want to go there,
So with your head full of knowledge and shoes full of feet,
If you let it, school can help you accomplish any feat!

Citation
Engelhardt, Steven J.. "How School Works." Poetry America. White Oak Press. Jan 23 2007. .

Love Poem from Poetry.com

Love's Secret
By William Blake

Never seek to tell thy love,
Love that never told can be;
For the gentle wind doth move
Silently, invisibly.

I told my love, I told my love,
I told her all my heart,
Trembling, cold, in ghastly fears,
Ah! she did depart!

Soon after she was gone from me
A traveller came by,
Silently, invisibly,
He took her with a sigh.

Citation
William , Blake. "Love's Secret." 17 Jan 2007 http://www.poetry.com/greatestpoems/poemlove.asp?title=Love%27s+Secret&author=William+Blake.