What happened to the Waterbuck?

(Content warning: This post talks about genocide, racism including lynching, and the killing of Charlie Kirk.)

Let’s begin with a foundational story from the Bavenda people of South Africa handed down through generations to their young people:

“Three beautiful Waterbuck were great friends. They lived together in the woods, eating together, sleeping together, working together. Unknown to the Waterbuck, Lion watched them constantly. What a nice tasty meal a Waterbuck would make, were his greedy thoughts. But three Waterbuck together were more than he could tackle. One day the three friends quarreled. They separated. Each went his own way. And Lion chuckled to himself. He followed first one Waterbuck which he killed, then a second, then a third.”

From In Unity Is Strength: A Bavenda Folktale

In 1994, there was a horrific genocide in the country of Rwanda, resulting in the loss of lives of close to a million people, predominantly from the Tutsi tribe. The genocide was perpetrated by the Hutus, fomented by radio hate speech and propaganda causing unimaginable violence. It was a genocide caused by inflammatory rhetoric and untrue rumours which exacerbated tensions and dehumanized the Tutsi population. The hate speech drove the Hutus’ killing of many innocent people.

In the aftermath of 100 days of terror, the biggest lesson survivors emphasized was the vital importance of countering hate speech which recognizably caused real-world harm. As part of their steps to repair the damage done to the population, the Rwandan government developed a comprehensive plan to prevent and to heal from such atrocities. You can reference their reconciliation plan here:

The Republic of Rwanda’s National Unity and Reconciliation Commission

Though the genocide occurred 31 years ago, unity and reconciliation work STILL continues today, especially by young people who were directly or indirectly impacted by the trauma caused due to that reign of terror, as reported in an April 2024 article by the United States Holocaust Memorial Musuem:

“...Rather than be deterred by these challenges, many of Rwanda's young people have sought to confront the past and play a positive role in their country's future. This includes participating in intergenerational dialogues, and creating civil society organizations that seek to organize and participate in memorialization efforts, volunteer with vulnerable communities, engage in innovative entrepreneurship, and contribute to reconciliation efforts.”

Thirty Years after Genocide, a New Generation Works for Peace

Have you wondered what Americans can learn and do to overcome our own division and to stifle hate? One recommendation is to look at the Black population on our own shores. Historically, with what African-Americans have endured, the Black population has time and time again also demonstrated the power of forgiveness!  Case in point is the example demonstrated by members of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.

Charleston shootings: Power of forgiveness in African-American church

It may be hard reading, but there’s an important lesson here: We as a country have two choices: take the path of continued division leading to destruction, or take the path of reconciliation leading to unity. Neither choice is about being perfect, but about whether we live in a violently divided America or a peaceably unified America.

• Does forgiveness mean we don't care about justice? No.

• Does forgiveness mean there is no consequence nor accountability? No. Neither does not forgiving necessarily mean we will ever get justice or accountability.

• Does forgiveness mean we give up our efforts to work towards positive changes in our society? No. 

Information around the events that unfolded on September 10, 2025 on the Utah Valley University campus continues to come to light. This blog post is not going to bring up what occurred. Instead we ask: what now? What next?

When we are feeling anger, or hatred or upset, we are responding with lower level emotions. And this yes, this often occurs within the human experience especially after a shocking event. And sometimes, though it might be difficult, we can aim to give grace for that.

But we can also learn from the various reactions as well. The spectrum we face as a country spans from revenge to forgiveness. We know from American history, as well as that of Rwanda and many other countries, the damage that revenge does to individuals, communities, and countries. Time and time again, harm from anger begets more anger and violence begets more violence–often impacting future generations.

This past week, apparently in response to Charlie Kirk’s killing, there has been some reporting of the several bomb scares on HBCU campuses.  And most recently, there is concern if the September 15th hanging in Mississippi of black college student Trey Reed is in response to a President of the United States who “couldn’t care less”?

And this writer has to confess, from the initial response to the Charlie Kirk incident, it took a week to shift out of lower emotions, and reach a place of sufficient processing and understanding to be able to share these thoughts. Several questions arose including, what happens when a victim, or those who feel victimized, respond with forgiveness instead of anger?

Understand, forgiveness is also offered up in a sense as an act of self-care and personal empowerment. And too, Black people after experiencing long-standing wrongdoing have come to recognize forgiveness on some level as a form of survival; to survive day-to-day in a racist society. Yet oftentimes, Black people are pressured to forgive, while white victims (or those who feel victimized) are permitted and given a platform to express their anger and anguish. This is where it matters. A lot. 

Our political leaders, influencers, reporters, and commentators need to be attentive during critical times to not add fuel to a fire. 

Not only should our media and politicians take heed, but given the predominately white Christian uproar from this recent tragedy, we need pastors across the many Christian churches in America to play an important role in moving our country towards peace and unity; to stop feeding hate.

Unlike the person in command at the White House, we want to not exploit the tragedy that unfolded but rather take the lessons we are learning and move into positive action; towards peace.

One rising and young Democratic star in the Texas House of Representatives is Texas Rep. James Talarico. Do give a listen to his highly recommended sermon ‘James Talarico Delivers Sermon Against Christian Nationalism’ and be sure to refer to our call to action to hold the media accountable.

Reading and Viewing:
Multiple HBCUs under lockdown after receiving 'terroristic threats'
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/09/11/hbcus-lockdown-threats/86094019007/

Black student found hanging from tree at Delta State University
https://thegrio.com/2025/09/15/black-student-found-hanging-from-tree-on-at-delta-state-university/

‘I Couldn’t Care Less’: Trump’s Downplaying of Right-Wing Violence Continues Long Pattern
https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-could-not-care-far-right-extremism-political-violence/

James Talarico Delivers Sermon Against Christian Nationalism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blph_2RSBno