Genocide as Seen Through Literature

by Sena Brenden

Genocide has remained a prevalent issue around the world throughout history. However, it is also rarely discussed in an analytical way. Often in history classes, students are solely taught the factual aspects of genocides, which causes us to process them as statistics rather than take an empathetic approach. When literature is written about genocide, readers are better able to develop empathy for the victims and push beyond a statistical analysis of such events. 

When discussing genocide in any capacity, it is important to evaluate what constitutes a genocide:

"the General Assembly of the United Nations passed the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide on December 9, 1948. According to Article II of the Convention, 'genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group, as such: (a) Killing members of the group; (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group'. . . Article III lists those acts that are punishable accordingly: '(a) Genocide; (b) Conspiracy to commit genocide; (c) Direct and public encitement to commit genocide; (d) Attempt to commit genocide; (e) Complicity in genocide'" (Craig 24).

As evident through the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Holocaust, settler colonialism in the Americas, the elimination of Ainu peoples in Japan, and the Transatlantic Slave Trade all meet at least one qualification, and therefore constitute as genocide. 

Literature has been published regarding the aforementioned genocides, and these documents have proven fundamental in both our historical and emotional understanding of each. Through first hand accounts and primary sources, readers are able to see beyond the statistical facts of genocide and truly understand the violence inflicted upon minority groups. 

You may be wondering why exactly it is so important to have an emotional response to genocide. Oftentimes, genocides are depicted through statistics such as death tolls. While these are helpful in understanding the varying degrees of severity, they do not appropriately communicate how many individuals are affected, nor the severity of the violence inflicted. For example, the indigenous genocide in North America occurred over several centuries and was very systemic in its erasure of natives. It combined physical and sexual violence with biological warfare, as well as utilized policy to exclude indigenous peoples from citizenship, land rights, and federal recognition as individuals and tribes.

Therefore, it is important that when analyzing both the immediate and long term effects of genocide, we take a more empathetic approach, whilst still being mindful to balance the logical and emotional aspects of genocide. Literature, particularly primary accounts and autobiographies, allow readers to appropriately balance the logical and emotional aspects of genocide, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the violence that occurres.

Follow through the waypoints of the exhibit to explore various genocides committed around the world throughout history, and be aware of how the literature surrounding each shaped your understanding of each genocide. 

Works Cited:

Nessan, Craig L. "Calling a Thing What It Is: Confronting the American Genocide of Indigenous Peoples: Dedicated to the Life and Legacy of the Rev. Gordon J. Straw." Currents in Theology and Mission, vol. 47, no. 1, 2020, pp. 23-28. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLAiFZK200131000925&site=eds-live.