My latest guest on Q&A is Paul Rusesabagina. That last name is a mouthful. In the Rwandan language, it means “disperser of enemies.” Mr. Rusesabagina is better known as “the hotel manager.” In 1994, he saved over a thousand people from the Rwandan genocide. Ten years later, a movie was made: Hotel Rwanda. Rusesabagina was portrayed by Don Cheadle, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor. In 2005, George W. Bush bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Rusesabagina.

Fast-forward to 2020. Rusesabagina was kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured by the Rwandan dictatorship. (The dictator, Paul Kagame, has been in “office” for almost 25 years now.) For two years and seven months, he was in prison. There was a worldwide campaign for his release, led by his noble daughters, Anaïse and Carine. (They are the natural nieces of their adopted parents. Their own parents were killed in the genocide.) Rusesabagina was released in March of last year.

In our podcast, he and I talk about a little of everything: growing up, genocide, politics, prison, religion — forgiveness. To talk with him is a moving, memorable experience. I will write about him more in due course. In any event, our podcast is here.