Am I really being true to myself? Am I just another young person with dreams for years but no idea how they might come to fruition? Because that’s what I would sound like and probably what I would look like if I carry on like this, suppressing the reality of my fundamental nature.
I am Rwandese, a Tutsi girl. I am the first generation that can say that without fear. Fear that those friendly Hutu neighbours of mine might not be so friendly anymore. That they might expose me to more angry, machete wielding Hutus who might burn down my house while my family sleeps - the fear that I might not ever see my family again. That if I am lucky enough to survive the ire, I wont ever walk again or see again, or maybe even write again.. I spent the first couple of years of my life in Zambia. We lived a simple life. Had only what we needed. Our curtains during the day kept us warm at night as blankets.
Poverty or efficiency?
I only got a new pair of shoes when they had more sand in them than feet. I don't remember any troubles around that time of my life. We then moved to South Africa, it became my home. We struggled but slowly life started to improve in quality. My Father provided for us and because he made a decision to give his family a life where deprivation was no longer an option, it no longer was. One thing remained constant however; I couldn't change being a Tutsi. I couldn't change the way people looked at me. I wasn't different I thought, my goodness am I really being discriminated against by my own people? Just because my tongue doesn't click like theirs? Another thing that remained constant was that I was proud of who I was, always, but inwardly, at least until it was safe to do so openly. For most of my life now I’ve been in a country full of opportunity and it’s taken me some time to realize I am amongst the lucky few. In a country and time where anything is possible, New Zealand. I want to reach and surpass my potential, just like I know I am capable of. Want to make my people proud, to change life, as I know it, a change I am eagerly awaiting.
I am a Tutsi, a Tutsi who is now also a Kiwi. Watch this space for my regular blog...
BeeRiza
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nice intro
written by ktalent , October 04, 2009
written by ktalent , October 04, 2009
I'ma follow this...
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regular?
written by laxi , October 04, 2009
written by laxi , October 04, 2009
I lik ur style! so you gonna write more stuff? i'm keen 2 read more
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...
written by Lade DeE , October 05, 2009
written by Lade DeE , October 05, 2009
wow bee..proud to call u my friend,so proud,did not know u were this deep,beeive u me,just like a proud moher,which Im not,Im goin to make everyone read this...and no,u were not offensive at all..much love,xo
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written by OzRwanda , October 05, 2009
written by OzRwanda , October 05, 2009
Hi Bee
I really enjoyed your article and you have great talent, I do appreciate you clarifying to your readers about the fact that hutus were not all killers, as that was a very dangerous generalization on your side. I would also like to point out that you did forget to mention that Tusti also had their own forces that conduct some killings they were called “inkontanyi “.
In your statement you said that you where the first generation that can say that you are a “Tusti girl without fear”, however I beg to differ. I would like you to consider the true survivors of the genocide who lost all their family whether they may be Hutu or Tusti, those are the true survivors who will have to endure their entire lifetime with the pain and scars of losing their entire family and the trauma. I think we as next generation should refrain from trying to divide our self; as if you look at the history of Rwanda division has always achieved nothing but bloodshed, instead we should look beyond the thing that sets us apart and look at what unites us and that’s our national identity of being a Rwandan, at least then we could build a better future while working on the same side , with no hidden agendas.
United we shall stand.
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I really enjoyed your article and you have great talent, I do appreciate you clarifying to your readers about the fact that hutus were not all killers, as that was a very dangerous generalization on your side. I would also like to point out that you did forget to mention that Tusti also had their own forces that conduct some killings they were called “inkontanyi “.
In your statement you said that you where the first generation that can say that you are a “Tusti girl without fear”, however I beg to differ. I would like you to consider the true survivors of the genocide who lost all their family whether they may be Hutu or Tusti, those are the true survivors who will have to endure their entire lifetime with the pain and scars of losing their entire family and the trauma. I think we as next generation should refrain from trying to divide our self; as if you look at the history of Rwanda division has always achieved nothing but bloodshed, instead we should look beyond the thing that sets us apart and look at what unites us and that’s our national identity of being a Rwandan, at least then we could build a better future while working on the same side , with no hidden agendas.
United we shall stand.
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I'm learning
written by Brook , October 06, 2009
written by Brook , October 06, 2009
I risk sounding so ignorant, but all I could base my knowledge of this genocide is from the film and documentaries i've seen and the little I've read of it.
Bee, were you there in 94? when it all happened? You'd have been just a little girl tho. And i'm just curious... is there much animosity between Tutsi and Hutus today abroad today?
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Bee, were you there in 94? when it all happened? You'd have been just a little girl tho. And i'm just curious... is there much animosity between Tutsi and Hutus today abroad today?
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Brookie
written by Bee. , October 07, 2009
written by Bee. , October 07, 2009
Yea i was 4 when the genocide was in action but by that time my dad had moved us to South Africa. And as for the animosity, yea, between the extremists really. The rest of us are just tryna move on. No wait. HAVE moved on.
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