Tweet
New University, CA (UC Irvine)
April 26 2004
Students Remember the Armenian Genocide
by: Florin Yousefian and Maral Melkichian
In a culture of individualism and sheer apathy, can memories of the
past exist? Are American citizens aware of what is happening and has
happened overseas? The history of the Armenian genocide is in danger
of being wiped out, as people are unaware of its background and the
issues still surrounding it in present day.
As members of the Armenian Student Association, we want to educate
others of the Armenian genocide, as the day of remembrance, April 24,
approaches. Takuhi Fidanian, a senior and previous cultural director
said, `Being a part of ASA helps members be more involved and realize
if it is not recognized, the genocide will continue.'
Although the genocide and its atrocities may be apparent to members
of ASA, most students do not know of the history and events that took
place. From 1915-1923, Talaat, Enver and Djemal Pasha led the Ottoman
Empire (present-day Turkey) to systematically annihilate Armenians
who resided in that country. Women and children were raped, pregnant
women's bellies were slashed and men were decapitated and put on
display for entertainment. Survivors were viciously dragged across
Deir ez-Zor (the Syrian Desert) without food or water, at the mercy
of murderous Turkish generals. By the end of the genocide, more than
1.5 million Armenians were massacred and lost. April 24 is recognized
as the day of remembrance for the slaughter of over 300 politicians,
intellects priests, writers and government officials.
However, to this day the Turkish government refuses to acknowledge
these murders as genocide. Through the efforts of highly paid
lobbyists and government-funded professors, Turkey strives to
eliminate any thought of the Armenian genocide. Elizabeth Kyurkchyan,
a freshman, said, `It's not time to grieve; it's time to make Turkey
accept the truth.' It has been 89 years and Armenians still continue
to fight for the recognition and reparation of the genocide,
especially within the United States.
In their presidential campaigns, President Bush and former President
Clinton assured Armenian-Americans the passing of a resolution to
recognize the genocide. However, once these candidates stepped into
office, their promises were forgotten. An article from BBCnews.com
reported, `In the run-up to the presidential elections, President
Bush stated: `The Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign
... if elected president, I would ensure our nation properly
[recognizes] the tragic suffering of the Armenian people.' The
Armenians feel they have been failed by President Bush, and President
Clinton before him, in not already branding the slaughter as
genocide - as they both had pledged to do.'
In fear of upsetting Turkey, the United States has not yet come to a
resolution to recognize the slaughter as `genocide.' Turkey has
historically been a location of geographical and tactical importance
for most nations of the world. With the Mediterranean Sea on one side
and the Middle East to the other, Turkey's shoreline is the perfect
place for the U.S. military and its base. Although most of Turkey's
political policies did not initially correspond to that of the United
States, those two nations are bending backwards for each other for
what truly becomes, in the end, monetary gain.
In contrast to the unfulfilled promises of the presidents, there have
been politicians in the past who have shown their support for the
recognition of the genocide, which gives hope for the resolution to
soon be passed. Former California Gov. Pete Wilson, Bob Dole, Sen.
Barbara Boxer, presidential hopeful John Kerry and California Sen.
Adam Schiff are only a few of the supporters.
Here on the UCI campus, the multicultural community brings awareness
of issues and concerns among different racial groups and allows
students to overcome isolation. Other efforts have also been made to
educate students about the genocide. ASUCI recently passed a
resolution to recognize the Armenian genocide. In addition, courses
at UCI address the genocide as Melissa Sandoval, a political science
major, said, `In my international law class I learned that the
genocide set the precedent for the Holocaust because once Hitler saw
that nothing happened to Turkey he thought he could get away with it.
If people were more aware of the Armenian genocide, then maybe
atrocities like the Holocaust could have been prevented.' Crystal
Mason did a cultural anthropology project regarding Armenians in her
education class and said, `It isn't something that should be ignored;
it is something that people need to try to understand.' To respect
and mourn for the lives lost and to celebrate the perseverance of a
strong people, the ASA Cultural Committee has planned special events
in the week of April 19-24 to commemorate the first genocide of the
20th century.
Florin Yousefian is a fourth-year English major. Maral Melkichian is
a third-year film studies major.
April 26 2004
Students Remember the Armenian Genocide
by: Florin Yousefian and Maral Melkichian
In a culture of individualism and sheer apathy, can memories of the
past exist? Are American citizens aware of what is happening and has
happened overseas? The history of the Armenian genocide is in danger
of being wiped out, as people are unaware of its background and the
issues still surrounding it in present day.
As members of the Armenian Student Association, we want to educate
others of the Armenian genocide, as the day of remembrance, April 24,
approaches. Takuhi Fidanian, a senior and previous cultural director
said, `Being a part of ASA helps members be more involved and realize
if it is not recognized, the genocide will continue.'
Although the genocide and its atrocities may be apparent to members
of ASA, most students do not know of the history and events that took
place. From 1915-1923, Talaat, Enver and Djemal Pasha led the Ottoman
Empire (present-day Turkey) to systematically annihilate Armenians
who resided in that country. Women and children were raped, pregnant
women's bellies were slashed and men were decapitated and put on
display for entertainment. Survivors were viciously dragged across
Deir ez-Zor (the Syrian Desert) without food or water, at the mercy
of murderous Turkish generals. By the end of the genocide, more than
1.5 million Armenians were massacred and lost. April 24 is recognized
as the day of remembrance for the slaughter of over 300 politicians,
intellects priests, writers and government officials.
However, to this day the Turkish government refuses to acknowledge
these murders as genocide. Through the efforts of highly paid
lobbyists and government-funded professors, Turkey strives to
eliminate any thought of the Armenian genocide. Elizabeth Kyurkchyan,
a freshman, said, `It's not time to grieve; it's time to make Turkey
accept the truth.' It has been 89 years and Armenians still continue
to fight for the recognition and reparation of the genocide,
especially within the United States.
In their presidential campaigns, President Bush and former President
Clinton assured Armenian-Americans the passing of a resolution to
recognize the genocide. However, once these candidates stepped into
office, their promises were forgotten. An article from BBCnews.com
reported, `In the run-up to the presidential elections, President
Bush stated: `The Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign
... if elected president, I would ensure our nation properly
[recognizes] the tragic suffering of the Armenian people.' The
Armenians feel they have been failed by President Bush, and President
Clinton before him, in not already branding the slaughter as
genocide - as they both had pledged to do.'
In fear of upsetting Turkey, the United States has not yet come to a
resolution to recognize the slaughter as `genocide.' Turkey has
historically been a location of geographical and tactical importance
for most nations of the world. With the Mediterranean Sea on one side
and the Middle East to the other, Turkey's shoreline is the perfect
place for the U.S. military and its base. Although most of Turkey's
political policies did not initially correspond to that of the United
States, those two nations are bending backwards for each other for
what truly becomes, in the end, monetary gain.
In contrast to the unfulfilled promises of the presidents, there have
been politicians in the past who have shown their support for the
recognition of the genocide, which gives hope for the resolution to
soon be passed. Former California Gov. Pete Wilson, Bob Dole, Sen.
Barbara Boxer, presidential hopeful John Kerry and California Sen.
Adam Schiff are only a few of the supporters.
Here on the UCI campus, the multicultural community brings awareness
of issues and concerns among different racial groups and allows
students to overcome isolation. Other efforts have also been made to
educate students about the genocide. ASUCI recently passed a
resolution to recognize the Armenian genocide. In addition, courses
at UCI address the genocide as Melissa Sandoval, a political science
major, said, `In my international law class I learned that the
genocide set the precedent for the Holocaust because once Hitler saw
that nothing happened to Turkey he thought he could get away with it.
If people were more aware of the Armenian genocide, then maybe
atrocities like the Holocaust could have been prevented.' Crystal
Mason did a cultural anthropology project regarding Armenians in her
education class and said, `It isn't something that should be ignored;
it is something that people need to try to understand.' To respect
and mourn for the lives lost and to celebrate the perseverance of a
strong people, the ASA Cultural Committee has planned special events
in the week of April 19-24 to commemorate the first genocide of the
20th century.
Florin Yousefian is a fourth-year English major. Maral Melkichian is
a third-year film studies major.