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 of memory, reconciliation, and international recognition, and shares insights from leading student research trips to the region.

00:00 | Introduction & Biography
01:52 | Overview of the 1972 Burundi Genocide
05:52 | Specific Causes and Political Context in Burundi
09:24 | Pre-Colonial Social Divisions and Belgian Reinforcement
13:58 | Why the Burundian Genocide Is Marginalized
16:35 | Fieldwork and Student Research Trips to Burundi
18:33 | Student Reflections and Key Moments from the Field
20:37 | Teaching Genocide: Preparing Students for Difficult Topics
22:52 | Testimonies and Survivor Stories
25:16 | The Reconciliation Process in Burundi
29:47 | International Actors and Forced Reconciliation Models
35:18 | Role of the International Community
37:09 | Post-Genocide Ethnic Dynamics in Burundi Today
39:37 | Public Perception of Instability and Violence
41:53 | Intergenerational Legacies of Genocide
47:22 | Ethnic Identity and Storytelling in Burundi
48:13 | Education and Genocide Memory
51:11 | Global Support for Burundi’s Healing and Recognition