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AN EPIPHANY ON GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
By Gary Huerta
Glendale News Press
April 27 2010
CA
I've lived in Glendale since 2001. In all that time, I never paid
much attention to April 24 and what it means to so many others who
call this home.
I've seen the flags on cars. I've watched large groups walking in
solidarity. And I've felt the frustration of being stuck in traffic
as cars jammed Los Feliz Boulevard, headed for Little Armenia to
commemorate the significance of the day.
What I've been doing these past nine years is living under the
impression that April 24 wasn't my concern. I believed that because
I wasn't Armenian, it wasn't a matter of significance. But I've come
to realize that I was wrong, and that my ignorance had been part of
the problem.
I recently took some time to learn about April 24. Having done so,
I think it's time this country officially recognize it as a day to
remember the Armenian Genocide. I know I'm very late coming to this
realization, but perhaps writing about it will help others see why
an official recognition of this date means so much to the Armenian
community.
Consider the sheer numbers of this atrocity. Imagine the Rose Bowl
filled to capacity on New Year's Day. Multiply that by 15 and you'd
have about 1.5 million people. That's how many Armenians were murdered
by the Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1918.
When I think about that number, I appreciate why many Armenians
have been disappointed that our government has neglected to pass a
nonbinding resolution recognizing what happened in Turkey as genocide.
And now that I understand a little more about why we've failed to
give it recognition, my own regret that it took me so long to take
notice is only compounded by the reasons our government is dragging
its feet to do the same.
The primary reason why the Armenian Genocide receives no official
recognition is political. Because the Turkish government does not
recognize the genocide, we can't either.
Why? Because, in our government's opinion, it is more important not to
offend Turkey than it is to respect the atrocities suffered by a race.
Why? Because our government is trying to amass support for sanctions
against Iran, and we need the support of Turkey in the United Nations.
And because we also need the air bases on Turkish soil as a supply
route for our war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I suppose I can understand why Turkey would not want to recognize
the genocide. Even though it is impossible to ignore the fact that
1.5 million humans were murdered, denial is a much easier path to
tread than accountability.
But I am perplexed why we feel the use of an airport is justification
for condoning the Turkish government. Hypothetically speaking, I wonder
how the Jewish community would feel if our government decided to no
longer acknowledge the Holocaust as genocide because it didn't suit
our current political agenda? I mean, if we can ignore the mass murder
and brutalization of 1.5 million, why not 6 million? Aside from the
number, is there a real difference between genocides? I don't think so.
I want to think our country stands for more than political posturing.
I want to believe that our agenda includes having a backbone. I
want to believe that our government is willing to be witness to all
atrocities -- not because it's the politically correct thing to do,
but because it is the morally right thing to do.
Maybe my belief in what our country should do will be realized when
more people outside of the Armenian community know exactly what took
place 95 years ago in Turkey. The hurt goes deeper than an annual day
of flag waving, hunger strikes and memorial ceremonies can cure. An
incredible timeline documenting the genocide in Turkey may be found
at www.genocide1915.info/history. For those interested, it is a more
convincing document of man's inhumanity to man than anything I could
ever write in this column.
It took me nine years to understand what April 24 is all about. For
my own failure to recognize its significance, forgive me. I hope that
by shedding more light on the matter, I can make amends and in my
own small way facilitate our government to shift its attitude more
swiftly than I did.
By Gary Huerta
Glendale News Press
April 27 2010
CA
I've lived in Glendale since 2001. In all that time, I never paid
much attention to April 24 and what it means to so many others who
call this home.
I've seen the flags on cars. I've watched large groups walking in
solidarity. And I've felt the frustration of being stuck in traffic
as cars jammed Los Feliz Boulevard, headed for Little Armenia to
commemorate the significance of the day.
What I've been doing these past nine years is living under the
impression that April 24 wasn't my concern. I believed that because
I wasn't Armenian, it wasn't a matter of significance. But I've come
to realize that I was wrong, and that my ignorance had been part of
the problem.
I recently took some time to learn about April 24. Having done so,
I think it's time this country officially recognize it as a day to
remember the Armenian Genocide. I know I'm very late coming to this
realization, but perhaps writing about it will help others see why
an official recognition of this date means so much to the Armenian
community.
Consider the sheer numbers of this atrocity. Imagine the Rose Bowl
filled to capacity on New Year's Day. Multiply that by 15 and you'd
have about 1.5 million people. That's how many Armenians were murdered
by the Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1918.
When I think about that number, I appreciate why many Armenians
have been disappointed that our government has neglected to pass a
nonbinding resolution recognizing what happened in Turkey as genocide.
And now that I understand a little more about why we've failed to
give it recognition, my own regret that it took me so long to take
notice is only compounded by the reasons our government is dragging
its feet to do the same.
The primary reason why the Armenian Genocide receives no official
recognition is political. Because the Turkish government does not
recognize the genocide, we can't either.
Why? Because, in our government's opinion, it is more important not to
offend Turkey than it is to respect the atrocities suffered by a race.
Why? Because our government is trying to amass support for sanctions
against Iran, and we need the support of Turkey in the United Nations.
And because we also need the air bases on Turkish soil as a supply
route for our war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I suppose I can understand why Turkey would not want to recognize
the genocide. Even though it is impossible to ignore the fact that
1.5 million humans were murdered, denial is a much easier path to
tread than accountability.
But I am perplexed why we feel the use of an airport is justification
for condoning the Turkish government. Hypothetically speaking, I wonder
how the Jewish community would feel if our government decided to no
longer acknowledge the Holocaust as genocide because it didn't suit
our current political agenda? I mean, if we can ignore the mass murder
and brutalization of 1.5 million, why not 6 million? Aside from the
number, is there a real difference between genocides? I don't think so.
I want to think our country stands for more than political posturing.
I want to believe that our agenda includes having a backbone. I
want to believe that our government is willing to be witness to all
atrocities -- not because it's the politically correct thing to do,
but because it is the morally right thing to do.
Maybe my belief in what our country should do will be realized when
more people outside of the Armenian community know exactly what took
place 95 years ago in Turkey. The hurt goes deeper than an annual day
of flag waving, hunger strikes and memorial ceremonies can cure. An
incredible timeline documenting the genocide in Turkey may be found
at www.genocide1915.info/history. For those interested, it is a more
convincing document of man's inhumanity to man than anything I could
ever write in this column.
It took me nine years to understand what April 24 is all about. For
my own failure to recognize its significance, forgive me. I hope that
by shedding more light on the matter, I can make amends and in my
own small way facilitate our government to shift its attitude more
swiftly than I did.