Lighting Candles for Rwanda

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[@spinningsheeps]

are nerdfighters basically the illuminati but awesome

[@sivartis]

Oh, my goodness, Hank. First I was tearing up a little bit about the Rwandan genocide and thinking about where I was going to find my candle. Then my brain blew up and pushed more tears out when you mentioned the Big Gay Sketch Show voting. (but happy ones). Thanks for the help, votes are up to 1800! ~Trav

[@drewg.4779]

Last year in history we watched Hotel Rwanda, and there was one line (paraphrased a bit) "They're going to see it, think 'oh, that's terrible' and then go back to eating their dinners" about Americans seeing footage of the genocide.

[@alannar.8701]

Dude. I've never even heard of this. That's a problem.

[@alannar.8701]

So apparently I forgot about this completely. Because a few months ago, I watched a documentary on the Rwandan Genocide in history. And I knew nothing about it at the time, even though according to this comment, I should have. I'm honestly embarrassed to call myself a person after forgetting about something like this, but after watching that documentary, I'm sure I never will.

[@RachaelisaRobot]

you guys, this is an act of kindness. Give him a break. Hes only showing he cares. He may not be able to send millions of dollars but sometimes just showing you care is enough to make millions of people happy.

[@Starlysh]

O_O I've been playing violin for like, 15 years. And I'm Irish, so my mother made learn jigs and fiddle music growing up. That might finally pay off! And I'll be doing my candle for Rwanda soon. The HPA meeting on Sunday was very moving and inspiring. I'm very excited for this project.

[@louk7286]

It shows that you are more human than the media who blindsided it at the time. It shows you are a person. What is messed up is that the people who had the power to make it matter, didn't feel shame at the time.

[@TwilightAddict96]

thank you for being so wonderful hank,

[@sivartis]

Hey, Thank you very much! It means so much to me that the nerdfighters are helping out so much! ~Trav

[@English3Muffin]

My step-dad's sister and her husband were there when it started. I never asked about it, but I can only imagine the utter terror they felt, the relief of getting rescued, the guilt of leaving friends and acquaintances behind, and the rage of all the governments that refused to help as their friends were mercilessly slaughtered. That said, how do you determine when a country needs help and when they should be left alone? There are so many atrocities happening on account of governments all over the world, so how do you pick which one is the worst? It's such a tricky business and I don't envy the jobs of those who have to decide.

[@RE-is7gg]

I think videos like this perferctly demonstrate how great Brotherhood 2.0 snd everything that came after it is. There are lighthearted moments, and there are moments when Hank and John reach out to thosein need. The balnce i what makes nerdfighting do great. We light candles for Rwanda then we put stuff on out heads.

[@enchantment217]

On Saturday I was reading about the film Hotel Rwanda and I totally agree with the statements in this video. I wish I could have done something about the horror happening 15 years ago in Rwanda. I never feel more helpless than when i look back at horrible events that occurred before i was born and wish i could have made a difference. But now, in other ways, I know I can make a difference. Thank you Hank for this video. My name is Caitlyn, I am 18 and i am taking a moment of silence for Rwanda.

[@hazyhalfmoon]

Well put, Hank. Your explanation of why we're lighting candles makes sense to me now.

[@WelcometoGeekdom]

This is four years later but I just want to say that that was beautiful.

[@AlliCrumley]

At this point it is 20 years later and I have to admit, I totally didn't know anything about this at that time. having just graduated from high school in The Netherlands and just trying to figure out how to get to the point where I wasn't under my parents thumbs. Thanks for bringing this to the attention of so many people.

[@Fiumee]

I love your way of thinking

[@MrTerradell]

I'm 3 years late, and though that ceremony is over, I'm lighting a candle of hope for Rwanda, and by extension, the world.

[@RockingJamboree]

Lighting a candle won't stop the killing. Lighting a candle won't stop the hatred. Nobody is asking you to turn back time and stop the genocide. Hank is asking you to CARE. Lighting a candle says, "I care." Don't start with, "I can't change the problem, so I might as well ignore the problem." Nothing happens, nothing changes until somebody cares. Nobody is asking you to change the world, just one person. YOU! Just light a candle of hope and caring. "You matter." That's the message.

[@hopawaylittlebunny]

I notice you used a beeswax candle, Hank. Environmentally friendly fire for the win!!!

[@RealVampiresBurn]

To quote John Green from his Nerdfighting in Bangladesh video: "There is no Them. There are only facets of Us". This fact is completely true and people seem to forget it. When someone else is suffering, people seem to think that they shouldn't care because it doesn't affect them. But it should. Any suffering in the world should be felt by the whole world. Genocide and slaughter and prejudice and hatred, bigotry and ignorance- people as a whole should be saddened by the presence of these things.

[@DRSAICO]

That looked like a beeswax candle! We used to have those/make those when I was little. LOVE THEM.

[@wynflete]

Thanks for that Hank. Nerdfighteria does indeed cover the globe and we need to care for all awesome people within. HURRAY for Trav :D (hehehe, I fangirl squealed when Hank mentioned Trav) Now, I go to vote! -Debbie

[@ElfLady64]

Oh goodness, this is making me so sad!! :( This is very true, and thanks for pointing it out! I knew about these genocides but in my mind they aren't "genocide" per se, more "bad thing where lots of people died because of prejudice and certain traits or affiliations with groups that people disliked". But at least people did tell me about those, in school and in the media and such, but no one ever talked about Rwanda, and I don't understand that. Maybe they were guilty as well?

[@MaryAliceComedy]

yes we're doing that in my class too and that is what this reminds me of exactly

[@ShaneCawthon]

Yea dude lighting that candle sure helped them out a lot.

[@reiherh]

you...are amazing

[@BrianHutzellMusic]

Dear 2009 Hank, I can't help you with the Irish fiddle, but it you talk to 2018 Hank and if he's looking for a trombonist, I got ya covered!

[@KristiDreamer]

#428: What happened in Rwanda was an awful. Even though this happened a long time ago. My name is Kristi, I am 27 from the US and I just lighted a candle for Rwanda.

[@RockingJamboree]

The candle isn't an action. The candle is a symbol of an idea and an attitude. It's a symbol of Hope and Caring. You can say that "Actions speak louder than words," and in many ways you would be right. But that doesn't mean we should do away with words or communication. Our caring shouldn't end with words or symbolic gestures. But it CAN begin there! Words can light the flame, words can fan the fire, words can warm the heart. I'm speaking symbolically, but I hope these words are enlightening.

[@Kyalanasarake]

Learned about Rwanda my freshman year of high school when watching the movie "Hotel Rwanda". I felt absolutely awful about knowing that something like that could even happen. Sophomore year I learned that the cause was European imperialism. Nothing wrong with Europeans, but still. Proud to know that the real man that was portrayed in Hotel Rwanda lives in the city of San Antonio (mah city)

[@Xanthius]

hey John, hank, kath, Yhetti. Any chance you guys will be making a compilation video of all of the uploaders holding candles? I think that'd be an overwhelming success.

[@VolatileChemical]

I'm Irish...but not quite a fiddlde player. But still, your writing a song about my people? Well, thank you! Erin go bragh!

[@nomielpenguino]

Thanks for educating us about Rwanda, we definitely don't talk about genocide enough in school. Looking forward to your Irish song with fiddle! Yay fiddles!

[@Roma-kp4qg]

"Hollywood overlords" Oh Hank...

[@augusteflores]

thank you hank

[@Jon160]

It's not about changing the baddies Did you watch the video? Hank said that the worst part was the feeling of abandonment, that no one cared. The video is to show that the people of Rwanda are not forgotten and that we still hope for them. Sometimes it's not always about action. Sometime a kind word is just as important.

[@a3k4700]

14 years ago, hits different. the cycle of war, history do be repeating itself fr.

[@shinsplintssuck]

Sadly, I do not play Irish fiddle. But I do Irish dance! So if you ever need an Irish dancer for a video I would be more than happy to help.

[@ffferol]

Hank and John, I sincerely hope that all these folks who light candles will not frown at the Rwandans for ten seconds. It would be bummer to watch that, no matter how well intended.

[@thatAmberBAMberchick]

I actually DO know of an Irish fiddle player that happens to play in my friend's band St. Patrick's Folly. I might be able to check that out for you if needed.

[@deegz720]

MY DENTIST PLAYS hahaha while im sitting there with sharp utensils in my mouth, he feels inclined to go indepth on his fiddling. i dont find it very entertaining, but he can play.

[@OddmentTweak]

Very awesome.

[@LinkKB]

I'm lighting a candle right now even though I don't have a camera. Good show.

[@martha_s]

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana that one, right?

[@LynneSkysong]

All the feels Hanks... ALL the feels. :(

[@EoghanRoss]

Whooo Irish fiddle!!!

[@xianart2]

I realise this is a over a year old, but just felt the need to add this comment. What happened in Rwanda was beyond description. However, the UN commander in Rwanda, Canadian General Romeo Dallaire, stayed, and begged to be allowed to help. He was denied. He has gone on to write an excellent book on Rwanda's and his struggles (he returned to Canada shattered), and push for ways to rehabilitate child soldiers.

[@KristiDreamer]

HAZZAH! You have found me. You do not understand how weird it was to see my name on a video that I have not commented on yet haha.

[@RockingJamboree]

Lorraine Garland (the Fabulous Lorraine) is the only Irish Fiddle Player I know. She works with Neil Gaiman, who is vaguely connected to Ken Plume. In other words, she's running in similar social, musical and intellectual circles. That might be worth a try.

[@JTS11d6]

Just gonna say I wasn't alive to ignore this stuff.

[@panther411]

BGSS= AMAZING

[@bluidemenace1]

Talking about Rwanda and learning about the genocide makes me so incredibly sad and ashamed that I didn't know about it when it was going on and that I didn't do anything, but then I remember that I was less than a year old at the time. It doesn't really help, though.

[@nannakelzee]

Thanks for being amazing. That was such a sad story. I wish I could do a video for this project, but I don't have a camera either... :(... but good job John on finishing the screenplay, and good luck Hank on finding a fiddle player!

[@caddog0sugar]

my friend is irish (red hair, pale, the works) AND she plays violin! ill send her this video then maybe she will become a nerdfighter because she has the qualities of one

[@keyX0]

exactly. thank you.

[@warriorwitchwillow]

It's late, but I'll try to vote for Travis anyway.

[@RelaxedBearNA]

I voted! I'll vote again tomorrow if I can rememberrrr.

[@lightanddarklove]

I don't have an irish fiddle... but i have a cello! I can play something with that in a high register, and i have a good program for recording. I will light a candle for rwanda tomorrow, there's too much to do tonight.

[@starryeyedocean]

the fiddle is just a violin, only that you play it differently

[@sarahmbrown82]

i am sorry for what happened in rwanda. and on a lighter note I am not a good Irish fiddle playing nerdfighter. but i am a poor bluegrass banjo playing nerdfighter.

[@0justBETHANY]

YAY! for John! nice Julia Nunes add at the beginning. i wish i could do that candle thing but i have no camera.... :(

[@thatoneguyyouknow83]

the people posting negative responses are the reason the movie "idiocracy" was made. love the movie but its about those of you who can't just say "huh, hank's doing something nice without expecting any kind of selfish gain"

[@NausicaaLeGuin]

Wow -- that's ironic. Just as Hank lit the candle, it got covered by an ad for some "Combat Arms" online game with "the most guns"...

[@mirosango14]

@Ravenclaw797 ME TOO! I LOVE playing my violin!

[@megaroony]

it isn't the act of lighting a candle that means anything, but rather what it represents. people care enough about an issue - a terrible and largely ignored atrocity, really - to take time out of their day to show the international community that this isn't something to be ignored, and that it isn't something that we are going to forget so easily.

[@goodgollymizmolly]

Ok. I Get It Now.

[@witabif]

@keyX0 i know your comment is two years old, you are a beautiful person. DFTBA

[@drnoise]

excellent vid.

[@ASi1entBetrayal]

I have that exact same candle! xD Not that thats the point, I just pulled it out yesterday and wondered who would have a candle like that...

[@keyX0]

okay, i'm briefly addressing all the previous comments of people not understanding the concept of lighting candles for Rwanda. it isn't to stop the violence. the 100 days of genocide happened 15 yrs ago. we are a bit late for that. the candles are meant to show that we care, that we're sorry that we were blindsided to what had happened. instead of bitching just to seem better than everyone, i'm going to show that i care. I'm Jordan Morris. I'm am going to light a candle for Rwanda.

[@twinkletoes121]

When is the deadline for Rwanda videos?? I really want to make one, but I won't have access to a candle or matches until March 27.

[@olookashiny]

A man from Rwanda came to my school not long ago. His family was killed when he was ten years old. He hid in a hole in the woods and barely escaped death because there was a large snake in it.

[@msguthrie]

Oh my god. This is terrifyingly upsetting.

[@FesterWerks]

And buy a candle too!

[@psychG]

*lights virtual candle*

[@mereana8]

I light candles every night for those that died in the world wars, and I'll add those that died in genocides like Rwanda from tonight. Okay I mostly light candles because I like them, but I remember those we sent to die as well.

[@Dorkman1983]

It's symbolic of the fact that you give a damn

[@ElfLady64]

Okay, last century, but it's still within 100 years of now.

[@autorawk]

Aww bollock, im an irish nerdfighter with no fiddle skills whatsoever... i could learn? AH!

[@Jaydaddyfresh]

you've both lost sight that this exercise is to bring everyone together, cuz we're all human and we're all in this together. Maybe if we stopped fighting amongst ourselves in general things like Rwanda wouldn't even happen much less go un-noticed

[@OtherLivingThings]

This is a great thing to do, I'll make a video later today. Meanwhile, there is a genocide happening in Darfur right now, as we speak. I think it's a little inappropriate to talk about not caring and all that without bringing this to light... I've been part of humanitarian aid projects for Darfur for 4 years now, and I highly encourage ALL of you to get involved. We keep saying "never again," but we've proven to be crap at keeping that promise. Please, don't follow the precedents.

[@teahwee]

I would light a candle but I live in a dorm room, don't cook and don't have any candles. Can I draw one instead?

[@mrstiggywinkle05]

I remember OJ, I must have been 15, which makes me old. I think that its possible that I heard about the massacre slightly after it happened. Canada covered some of what happened because Romeo Dallaire is Canadian, he knew what was going to happen and he tried to get the UN to act. I don't want to take away from this remembrance, I am going to make a video with my daughter. But I would like to point out that there are things happening today that the mainstream american media is not covering.

[@AlyAndCate]

Great video and I also voted

[@Katie6263]

Your candle looks like the cob of corn after you've eaten all the kernals off it.

[@nc79chick]

too married, too.

[@rhinoluver]

Yeah, I barely was. And I still think I've done more for the cause that people that couldv'e done something when it actually happened. So sad...

[@Starlysh]

March 22nd! :)

[@RockingJamboree]

But if your opinion matters... If your opinion can make a difference... (And I say that it does!) Then the lighting of candles as a symbol of Hope and Caring makes a difference. The people who are lighting candles only want to voice their opinion. That opinion is "I CARE!" It's really that simple.

[@FreneticEnergy]

iiii forgot that it was st patrick's day yesterday. thus, i wore purple, not orange. (read: laura doesn't play the irish fiddle)

[@PrincessTinkerbells]

ur my favorite nerd fighter (love you. cutie) (GNU! {Geeks and Nerds Unite})! huge fan!

[@theyellowyoshi]

cool shirt

[@EC10Classified]

damn it, my university doesn't allow candles in it's halls of residence!!! but I will keep a minute of silence for this,

[@neonizer21]

I really wish I had a video camera. Can we do pictures??

[@AlexDahlberry]

good video. i already sent in a video for rwanda. humans really neeed to get their priorities straight.

[@iceandsteamproductions9511]

aw hank.

[@DangerousQ]

holywood overloads lol

[@tamathestoryteller]

I'm an irish fiddle player... but i don't have a great microphone. sorry

[@ElizabethGrosvenor]

I an sad to say that before now, I had never heard of Rwanda or the genocide there. I now it's to late to make a video but i will light a candle on April 7 for them.

[@helenzebcharles]

I was about 8 during the Rwandan genocide and I remember the news reports. Maybe its because I am lucky that I have parents that encouraged me and my sister to be political. Although then again I am guessing that maybe it was different in the UK media? Not sure but I know I saw some shocking images that stayed with me for a long time. It is important too to remember that the majority of the women who survived the genocide, and their kids, are HIV positive or have full blown AIDs.