Final answer:
Rusesabagina utilizes his family's narrative to personalize the Rwandan tragedy, fostering understanding and empathy, and highlighting the detrimental impact of colonialism on ethnic relations. His purpose serves as a lesson on reconciliation and healing following the destructive 1994 genocide.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rusesabagina's words and the context of ethnic divisions in Rwanda convey the intense emotions and complexities arising from the deeply rooted conflict between Hutus and Tutsis. By describing his family's experiences, Rusesabagina personalizes the narrative, making the abstract tragedy more tangible and relatable for the listeners or readers.
His purpose in doing so is to humanize the victims and survivors, breaking down statistics into individual stories, and ultimately promoting understanding and empathy.
The historical context shows how colonialism exacerbated pre-existing divisions and imposed new systems of governance, where the Belgians, perceiving Tutsis as superior due to their physical appearance and societal roles, favored them over the Hutu majority. This sowed seeds of deep-seated resentment. Post-independence, the power dynamics reversed, and long-standing tensions boiled over into violence, culminating in the 1994 genocide.
In the aftermath of the genocide, Rwanda grappled with civil unrest, refugee crises, and political divisions as it sought to rebuild. The horrific events of 1994, which saw significant international neglect, highlight the danger of misunderstanding or dismissing the complexity and severity of such ethnic conflicts. Thus, Rusesabagina's reflections are not only an account but also a lesson on the importance of reconciliation and collective healing.