There is a modern day witch hunt taking place in Uganda. Suspected practitioners of the occult are not the victims this time around, however. Instead, the mob-coordinated persecution is directed at those who are attracted to the same sex.
Last month, a prevalent Ugandan newspaper released a list of the country's “top 100 homosexuals.” The article included full names, addresses and photos. At the top of the page, a bright yellow banner proclaimed “hang them.” As of October 21st, four of the 100 had been brutally attacked. Many others were in hiding. I have not seen any news about this recently, but I'm sure the situation hasn't improved.
This is not the first time gays have been targeted in the country. A legislation making homosexual “offenses” punishable by death was scrapped a last year after an international outcry. Inciting the public to act as vigilantes, to lynch innocent people just because of a perceived threat to the stability of society, is much worse. It's flat out disgusting.
Quite simply, the basic strategy being employed in this unstable region is the same one Nazis used to gain the support of average Germans. Like Germans before the outbreak of WWII, Ugandans are most likely dissatisfied with their economic situation. Knowingly or not, the Ugandan government is practically taking a page out of Hitler's book in picking a minority group as a scapegoat.
If we allow this wave of violence to continue, the situation will no doubt escalate to the point where all non-heterosexuals will either flee the country or be killed. We cannot sit idly by and let this happen. We have enough military “muscle” to make a difference, and regardless of the US's official stance on homosexuality it's important to do the right thing. Instead of wasting our valuable resources on the war in Afghanistan, we need to rally with other nations and intervene in Uganda.
What is occurring in Uganda is a hate crime. However what is happening here is similar to the genocide of Rwanda in 1994. This genocide death toll had an estimated of 800,000 people from April and June. Unfortunately, homosexuality is frowned upon in this part of the world. Did you know that the major religions in Uganda are Christianity, and Muslim. The government is very strict on other religions that promote other messages. I work with someone from Rwanda, and homosexuality is what we might say is taboo. Religion controls a lot of actions that take place.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for us as Americans to understand this, but this should be addressed by the UN not only America. This way it will include the influence of other nations.
The Nazi regime directly participated in the slaughter of marginalized groups -- Jews, Gypsies, and homosexuals among them. Modern bigots learned from Nuremberg to not engage in that sort of activity. I agree with Naishada that Uganda is walking down the same path as the Rwanda government -- creating an atmosphere which encouraged "right thinking" people to do their dirty work for them. I suppose the next step in Uganda will be the handing out of machetes...
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