“The ethnic conflict that led to genocide in 1994 has faded from view,’’ writes Stephen Kinzer in “Rwanda and the dangers of democracy’’ (Ideas, July 23). “Whether it still festers in people’s hearts is less clear.’’

That seems to be a surprisingly naive statement from a person who is obviously not naive. In a country that takes pride in its Statue of Liberty and is made up overwhelmingly of immigrants, we still see ethnic, linguistic, and racial tension. Look at the history of Yugoslavia. Tito created the appearance of harmony that soon evaporated after his death into murderousness.

Perhaps Kinzer simply did not want to be negative or to diminish the possibilities of success for President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, but if so, he gave up a certain analytic honesty. Genocide always festers. Ask Jews or Armenians.

There are dramatic examples of successful change. Compare the Europe of the first half of the 20th century with the Europe of the second half, even though the success of the European Union is being sorely tested by refugees from Africa and the Middle East and resurgent nationalism and ethnocentricity.

Kinzer should have found a way to be more clear and straightforward on this point.

nahantjim

Posted on BostonGlobe.com