IUCC HOSTS RWANDAN GENOCIDE WITNESS CARL WILKENS
By Chelsea Menshek
The Daily Titan
12 October 2009
The IUCC hosted "An Evening with Carl Wilkens" Oct. 10. Photo courtesy
of Anshul Mittal
Carl Wilkens, 51, was the only American who chose to stay in Rwanda
during the genocide where almost one million people were slaughtered in
just 100 days. He was former head of Adventist Development and Relief
Agency International. Now, Wilkens and his wife Teresa are "Pedaling 2
Peace." They are touring the country from their hometown of Spokane,
Washington to Washington D.C. on bike. They plan on traveling 4,600
miles in nine months while raising awareness for genocide.
"An Evening with Carl Wilkens" was held at the United Congressional
Church in Irvine Saturday night. The program was created with the help
of organizations like OC For Darfur and Amnesty International. Many
Orange County residents came to hear his ideas and stories first-hand.
Wilkens stood on the front stage of the church with his computer and
a projector explaining to his audience his experiences with pictures.
Wilkens explained how people are all connected in this world and
affected by others. He gave an example of a little boy in Africa who
did well in school. The boy managed to get into secondary school,
which isn’t easy. He did so well in secondary school that he earned
a scholarship and came to America. He moved to Hawaii, fell in love
with an American woman and got married. They had a baby boy. The baby
would grow up to be President Barack Obama.
"Can anybody deny how we are connected?" Wilkens asked. "Just
completely connected? This global community is not just somebody’s
phrase; it is such a reality. So many times we recognize our global
community unfortunately only under the directs of fear and terrorists
and that we need to understand our community better so that we can
provide security. But in reality we need to just realize: them are us."
genocide stems from an ideology that says, "My world would be better
without you in it."
"I think that kind of thinking often comes to my mind," Wilkens
said. "I don’t want to kill anybody; I get involved with exclusive
problem solving where I solve the problem by excluding. It is temporary
at best and its genocide at worst."
"I have so many reasons (for moving) but the most prominent one was
war," said Wai John Wai, a 24-year-old-from Sudan now living in San
Diego. "Things like genocide, with one side trying to eliminate the
other; they are both being victimized and they didn’t ask for that. So
somebody needs to step in."
Wai was living in Sudan and experienced the killings and hatred first
hand. However, even in the U.S. he is considered different.
"I can see that I am different. It’s something that everyone goes
through. I don’t consider myself the other. There is majority and
the other is always going to be the minority," Wai said.
Julie Turner, 28, who also attended the event and said she must
keep tabs on herself in order to not put a large gap between herself
and others.
"I like what Carl said about just keeping yourself in check
constantly," Turner said. "Because I find myself doing the same thing,
unfortunately, even though I believe in God and equality. But keep
yourself in check constantly."
Wilkens has saved hundreds of lives including around 400 from the
Gisimba Orphanage in Kigali, Rwanda.
Carl Wilkens speaks to the audience at the United Congressional Church
in Irvine Saturday night. Photo courtesy of Anshul Mittal
Carl Wilkens speaks to the audience at the United Congressional Church
in Irvine Saturday night. Photo courtesy of Anshul Mittal
Wilkens said he feels that there is only so much people can do,
and only so much they should do, because change has to stem from
people themselves.
"It seems like when we respond we don’t seem to take (the people who
we are helping’s) counsel. We don’t seem to come and say, you know, how
can we work wit ~] Wilkens said. "We can’t solve the problem. Problems
have to be solved by the people themselves but can we help those who
are working to solve the problems."
Wilkens said he is against violence; he never once carried a gun
when he was in Sudan. People offered him weapons but he refused. He
doesn’t believe that people have to kill someone to save someone
else’s life. Rockets flew overhead so regularly that his pet African
Grey parrot learned to mimic the sounds of the rockets. Even the Red
Cross couldn’t travel around the city.
Recently, President Obama said to the UN General Assembly: "We will
pursue a lasting peace with Sudan through the support for the people
of Darfur and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,
so that we secure peace that the Sudan people deserve."
He promised unstinting resolve when he appointed Maj. Gen. Scott
Gration to be his special envoy in Sudan.
"I think that this Nobel Peace Prize will help build momentum,"
Wilkens said. "There are a lot of factors that tend to limit us but
I still choose to believe that he will, he will follow through and
the question will be how fast and to what level."
"I’m optimistic; I have to remain optimistic," Wilkens added. "And
by staying optimistic we will find ways that we can help (Obama)
do that. That’s what I got to be looking for, not is he going to do
it or not, but what can I do to help him."
Wilkens has already started to develop this way of thinking.
"Just how we have to intervene, I don’t know," Wilkens said.
Genocide and war still exist around the world. Places like the Congo
and people like the Armenians are still subjected to persecution,
he said.
Wilkens believes he can make a difference and bring peace to his
immediate world, while working toward peace for others.
"I’m not sure how much time I give to the thought of complete peace
everywhere anymore," he said. "My time is spent on how can I bring
peace where I am and the countries I feel drawn to."