This episode features Erin's conversations with two survivors of the Rwandan genocide, Edith Umugiraneza and Issa Jean Marie Vianney. These courageous souls describe what it was like for them as teenagers to witness the mass execution of their friends and families. They recount in vivid detail how they ran for their lives, and reflect on the role of storytelling as they learned to heal in the aftermath. On the eve of the 25th memorial of the Rwandan genocide, we hope that these stories about the past awaken you to the urgency of eradicating racism and discrimination in the present. May we educate and act to end intolerance of any kind and create a more caring and compassionate society.

Show Notes

Support the Freedom Writers Podcast by leaving us a review on your podcast app and sharing the show with a friend!

Learn more about the Freedom Writer Teacher Institute:
http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/programs/teachers

Apply for a 2019 Teacher Institute:
http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/images/pdf/fwi-application.pdf

More about the Rwandan Genocide:
https://www.history.com/topics/africa/rwandan-genocide
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13431486

Learn about The USC Shoah Foundation:
https://sfi.usc.edu/about