Symbolization
Before the genocide in Bosnia, substantial discrimination was evolving. This was one of the earliest and key moments leading up to the genocide. Instead of everyone being viewed as equal civilians of Bosnia, they were labeled in separate categories as Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks. This discrimination was most intensified by the Serbians and their leader, Slobodan Milosevic. Anyone who was a Roman Catholic Christian, a Muslim, or just not an Orthodox Catholic Christian, was labeled as either a Croat or Bosniak by the Serbians. They were perceived as toxic and destructive to the purity of the Serbians religion, which is what drove the genocide or as they called it, “ethnic cleansing,” (Jenna-Side)