Not to Forgive, but to Understand

In this episode, Jermaine McCalpin joins us for an in-depth conversation on the overlooked 1972 genocide in Burundi. We discuss the historical and political conditions that led to the violence, the colonial construction of ethnic identities, and why Burundi remains absent from most global genocide narratives. Drawing from his fieldwork and oral history projects, McCalpin reflects on the challenges...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Thierry Cruvellier, Editor-in-Chief of JusticeInfo.net and author of Court of Remorse and The Master of Confessions, as he reflects on his decades-long journey reporting on international tribunals and transitional justice. In this episode, we delve into the politics behind the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), the ethical challenges of docu...

In this episode of Not to Forgive, but to Understand, we speak with Kjell Anderson, jurist, social scientist, and expert on mass violence, about the complexities of victim-perpetrators through the case of Dominic Ongwen. We explore the intersection of international law, transitional justice, and the challenges of categorizing perpetrators who were victims themselves. From the use of neuroscience i...

Leyla Ferman: A Decade After the Yazidi Genocide In this episode of Not to Forgive, but to Understand, we speak with Leyla Ferman, Co-Founder of the Yazidi Justice Committee and Director of Women for Justice, about the ongoing fight for justice a decade after the Yazidi genocide. We discuss the legal battles and the resilience of survivors. Featuring selected artworks by Falah Kaboo, as highlighte...

In this episode, we sit down with Craig Etcheson to explore his experiences conducting groundbreaking research on the Khmer Rouge and his role in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). We delve into the continued activities of the Khmer Rouge, the challenges of balancing justice and negotiation, and how narratives surrounding the Cambodian Genocide have evolved over time. Cra...

In this episode of Not to Forgive, but to Understand, Sabah Carrim speaks with Ben Mauk and Nyrola Elimä about their investigation published in The New York Times. The article, titled “The Long Road from Xinjiang” in print and “He Made a Daring Escape From China. Then His Real Troubles Began” online, explores the journey of Hasan Imam, a Uyghur refugee fleeing repression in Xinjiang. The discussio...

In this interview, musicologist Morag Grant, specializing in the intersections of music, violence, and human rights, discusses the ways music has been used in contexts such as mass violence, torture, and genocide. She examines its role in shaping group identity and facilitating acts of violence, as well as its presence in both historical and contemporary detention practices. This conversation prov...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeanine Ntihirageza, an expert in linguistics, refugee studies, and human rights in Africa. Jeanine shares insights from her recent work, “Education and Epistemicide in Africa: Towards an Ubuntu-Based Comprehensive Model of Education.” She explores the concept of epistemicide and its implications for educational practices in post-conflict contexts, challenging us...

In this episode of 'Not to Forgive, but to Understand,' we sit down with Micki Pistorius, psychologist, author, and profiler. She initiated the Investigative Psychology Unit in the South African Police Service in 1994 and profiled more than 30 serial killers. Her autobiography Catch me a Killer has been turned into a television series. Follow her on https://mickipistorius.co.za/ https://...

In this episode of 'Not to Forgive, but to Understand,' we sit down with Edward B. Westermann, Regents Professor of History at Texas A&M University-San Antonio and a renowned scholar on the Holocaust and military history. Westermann discusses the insights from his latest book, 'Drunk on Genocide: Alcohol and Mass Murder in Nazi Germany,' and explores the critical role alcoh...

In this episode we sit down with Chigbo Arthur Anyaduba, a scholar specializing in African and African/Black Diaspora literatures and the cultural representations of genocides. Arthur discusses his recent work, 'Memory/Remedy: Against the Soothsayer’s Practice,' and provides a thought-provoking critique of using memory as a solution for past atrocities. He challenges the notion that reme...

In this episode, we welcome Henry C. Theriault, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Worcester State University. Theriault delves into his research on genocide denial, prevention, and reparations, discussing his work with the Armenian Genocide Reparations Study Group. Join us as we explore the complexities of post-genocide relations, mass violence against women and girls, and the quest...

Don't miss our captivating interview with Ben Meiches, a distinguished scholar in global politics and international law. Delving into his groundbreaking article published in the Journal of Genocide Research, Ben unpacks the fascinating relationship between neuroscience, mental harm, and international law. Tune in to explore the innovative approaches shaping contemporary discourse on genocide.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Juli Berwald, an acclaimed ocean scientist, and author, along with her father Dr. David Berwald, mother Gail, and nephew Max Stein. Together, they share a poignant family journey rooted in the Holocaust, as depicted in a collection of letters discovered after the passing of Juli's grandmother. Dive into this moving exploration of history, resilience,...

Join us as we're privileged to host Amy Frake, Associate Director of Education at Holocaust Museum Houston. Amy shares insights into the museum's impactful Education Department, which brings Holocaust education directly to schools. Gain valuable perspectives on the impact of historical education and the role of museums in fostering understanding and empathy, as Amy delves into her experi...

Join us for an insightful discussion with Robert Tally, professor of English at Texas State University. Tally is the author of numerous books, including Kurt Vonnegut and the American Novel: A Postmodern Iconography. In this episode, we delve into the moral dilemmas, thematic depths, and the presence of Adolf Eichmann in Kurt Vonnegut's prolific work, Mother Night (1961).

Join us for an insightful interview with Christian Gudehus, a faculty member at Ruhr Universität Bochum and former editor-in-chief of Genocide Studies and Prevention. Christian is also the co-founder of HARM, a journal of hostility, aggression, repression, and malice. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of good writing and the challenges faced by writers in the field. Tune in to learn...