For many Rawandans, the genocide against the Tutsi became an integral and unforgettable part of their history. The slaughter of nearly a million people is usually associated with the medival times and one can only wonder how the Rawandan genocide could occur in our lifetime. Phillip Gourevitch’s essay “We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families” explores the mechanisms and motivation required for a mass genocide such as the Rawandan Genocide to occur in our lifetime. Taking the role of a journalist, Phillip Grouevitch brings the reader to ground zero of the genocide and brings awareness to the atrocities committed outside of our sheltered first world lives. Through the use of vivid imagery, objective approach, and …show more content…
His use of supporting facts and careful research of the demographics of the region led to a sound and convincing theory behind the causes of the genocide. Despite taking an academic approach, Philip is able to capture the audience through the careful documentation of his surroundings. His descriptions simultaneously create a feeling of unease and interest. Philip takes a journalistic approach and includes the testimonies of victims and relatives of victims of the genocide which contribute to Philip’s objective arguments while simultaneously adding a “human” side to the story; something the reader can empathize with. Philip leads reader to ponder how they would react if a close family member or spouse had been part of the genocide. Through this, what seemed distant and unrelatable before, suddenly becomes very real to the reader. By including such testistomies, Philip is able to accomplish something many academic writers fail to do in their entire careers: influence the reader’s emotions while backing up conclusions with strong objective evidence.
Grouevitch’s essay “We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families” depicts the Rawandan genocide in a style which is unconventional yet convincing. Grouevitch includes the emotional aspects along the hallmarks of academia to cultivate a persuasive and moving