Paul's story in Hotel Rwanda gave a face and a personality to what we've learned about the Rwandan genocide. My compassion as a viewer was challenged when Jack, the camera man, said "If people see this footage, they'll say, 'Oh, my God, that's horrible,' and then they'll go on eating their dinners." Although I don't want to believe that this is true of people, myself included, I have to agree with Jack. When issues are so distant, it is unbelievably easy to feel a pang of guilt and then continue on with our own lives. What people see and hear on the news is hard to comprehend because they hear logistical details, not personal stories of loss and destruction. It is difficult to feel compassion when the stories sound so calculated and matter-of-fact.
If I were a reporter covering an event like the Rwandan genocide, I would present personal stories to inspire people to act. If someone like Paul were on the news speaking about the hardships he was facing and the help he needed, viewers would feel more compelled to help in some way. Showing the real human faces behind stories and events allows people to connect and feel compassion.
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