FROM OPPRESSED TO OPPRESSOR

The pages of human history are littered with the blood of the victims of the oppression and wars that came about as some groups tried to establish dominance over others. From the crusader wars, through the slavery days up to the genocides and mass killings of the 20th century, there have always been groups and individuals who have had no qualms about spilling blood to achieve their economic and political goals.

There is no shortage of harrowing stories and genocidal villains, but the most disturbing trend has been how some of the victims of these brutal crimes, or their descendants, would later also turn into villains who meted out violence on new victims. African Stream's William Sakawa outlines some of the most striking cases.