Raphael Lemkin: The Horrific Acts Of Genocide

In 1944, a new term was created by Raphael Lemkin, a Polish-Jewish lawyer, to characterize the slaughtering of Jewish people. Genocide is derived from the Greek word “Genos” and the Latin word “Cide.” Genos means race or tribe while Cide is defined as killing. Lemkin combined both of the words and thus he came up with the term genocide. Genocide is defined as “any acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group” (Gunter,37). There have been many events in history that have proven to be called “genocide” though some events may be debatable. Bipolar societies are more prone to partake in genocide. Most acts of genocide occur during wars.

Actions of Genocide

There are many actions that

These steps are classification, symbolization, dehumanization, organization, polarization, preparation, extermination, and denial. For one to be able to prevent any future acts of genocide, they have to attack and interfere with each process. The first step is classification. Classification is defined as the separation of the social and natural world into categories. In this step, the oppressors acknowledge the race and culture of the group and treat them differently. The second step is symbolization. Symbolization is when people use signals and symbols to indicate their race, culture, group, or classification. Examples can be one’s clothes and physical appearances. Dehumanization, the third step, is the dismissal that the particular group is human. During this step, the target group is bullied and their bodies are sometimes mutilated. Without dehumanization, classification and symbolization would not be a part of the

This event is one of the most traumatic moments in world history. This genocide originated in 1994 when the president of Rwanda and Burundi airplane crashed. Tensions arose between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. An estimated 800,000 Hutu and Tutsis were slain over a period of 100 days. This is the fastest killing spree ever seen to mankind. Those who were not murdered were tortured. The aftermath left 100,000 kids without parents or parental supervisor. Individuals who still reside in Rwanda today still suffer from post- traumatic stress