The original cause of this event should be categorized as a power struggle. According to Wilmot and Hocker, power itself means nothing until it is placed in the context of relationships. When the Belgium ruled the country, they picked the Tutsis to run it for them instead of the Hutus. This along with the previous impression of Tutsis being able to accomplish their objectives through their wealth, (“What’s this,” n.a.) made the Hutus think themselves as “blameless victims of the other’s abuse of power” (Wilmot & Hocker, n.a.). Thus, when the Hutus and Tutsis were experiencing extreme “either/or” (Wilmot & Hocker, n.a.) power imbalance, a distressed system where power was the central concern of the two groups became alive. This structure, which promoted more conflict and the desire to seek dominance, only served to further the misunderstandings they had of each other. According to the paradox of power, had there been an effective system where interest and rights are the main focus, the Hutus and Tutsis could have become a synergic force that is mutually beneficial. For a balance of power could lead to the success of both parties.
The first question we should address is Paul’s ego and alter-ego and how miscommunications happened because of them. Paul’s misinterpretation or rather ignorance of his own identity was one of the main reasons of his experience in the movie. Being a Hutu, an African, Paul was supposed to be one of the “once oppressed comrades” in Rwanda. However, his job struck me more as a Tutsi position. Along with his frequent contact with whites and other upper-class personals, Paul may have developed a confidence in his alter-ego as a white. When the death of president Habyarimana triggered the massacre and the only hope left for him was the white relief forces, the confidence that Paul had disappointed him greatly: “They told me I was one of them, and I… the wine, chocolates, cigars, style… I swallowed it. I swallowed it, I swallowed all of it. And they handed me their shit. I have no… no history. I have no memory. I’m a fool, Tati.” (Hotel Rwanda) All whites were evacuated and he could only accept the brutal reality, miscommunication happened because he wrongly placed his identity thus accepted false impression.
In Wilmot and Hocker’s article, the concept of R-I-C-E is presented as a way to look at power. R is resource control, this means that power is gained through the ability to control reward/punishment. I is interpersonal linkages, which implies that power is constituted in one’s relationship network. C is communication skills; because power is interpersonal, masters of communication have the advantage of being able to give powerful feedbacks or messages. E is expertise, certain situational contexts can put the person who has the most relevant knowledge into the center focus of power.
The movie presented various scenes where the R-I-C-E concept proved to be very relevant and applicable. When Paul’s family faced the militant’s threat of murder, Paul immediately offered a bribe in exchange for lives. The previous imbalance of power, where the militant solely controlled the resources of the other party’s want, was balanced by Paul’s control of a new wanted resource. This balance made the exchange possible. A better example would be the conversation between Paul and general Bizimungu. At the time Paul was no longer of value to him, thus maximizing Bizimungu’s power and independence from Paul. However, Paul used the R-I-C-E approach to regain his position of power. First, he presented to Bizimungu a unique resource: information of his experience in Rwanda. This resource, once processed by Paul’s interpersonal linkage with the Americans, would make Bizimungu a dead man. When Bizimungu responded with a loaded gun, Paul pleaded him to shoot. Since Paul just presented his importance, this could be a communication skill used to lead Bizimungu to do just the opposite. And finally, Paul’s relevant knowledge, that the Americans will hold the general accountable, should not be overlooked as a key factor in his ability to regain power.