Rwanda’s Evil Hits Home

I wanted to thank Leroy Sievers for his superb article on Rwanda (“There Is Evil,” June 12). He asked why he went to Rwanda. It was for people like me who couldn’t and wouldn’t go, but who read this article in their big beds in their suburban houses. I will never know a fraction of the horror he experienced. I thank him for his bravery and compassion. And for making an effort to bring to light such atrocities.

Ray Lancon

Via the Internet

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I was tempted to put down Sievers’ article halfway through, but something inside of me said, “Read on, you need to know.” I’m sure that what I know now is far less than the reality, yet I am grateful for Sievers’ courage. I am overwhelmed by anger, outrage, sadness and helplessness. How do we stop such evil from rearing its ugly head in our lifetime?

Joi Napurski

Redondo Beach

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I am an ignorant American. I can’t help but ask, where was I when the genocide was happening? Am I so caught up in my inconsequential existence that I missed this story completely? Thank you, Mr. Sievers, for opening my eyes. I am humbled by your experience.

Delaina A. Martinez

Mar Vista

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I was in Rwanda in April. There are more than 15,000 Hutu “rebels” trying to reorganize in the Democratic Republic of Congo across the border, wanting to come back to Rwanda and finish what they started 10 years ago. Until the U.S. and the U.N. think that sub-Saharan Africa is important enough to defend, the killing and the horror will continue.

Knowing that $200 will pay for a Rwandan child to attend school for an entire year, I gagged when I saw the chart in the Style section depicting the cost of celebrity watches (“More Money Than Time?” June 12). The total amount paid for the eight featured celebrity watches was $594,345. Let that sink in for a minute.

Beverly Cherep

Manhattan Beach