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GENOCIDE STUDENTS MAKE ULTIMATE PLEDGE FOR CHANGE
Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/08/03/genocide-students-make-ultimate-pledge-for-change/
Aug 3, 2011
CHELMSFORD, Mass.-Much as I tend to be involved with Armenian affairs,
as my family and friends might attest, nothing quite cuts the mustard
better than promoting genocide education in our schools.
Chelmsford High genocide students pledge to promote change.
It's something I've been doing the past three years as part of the
Armenian Genocide Education Committee of Merrimack Valley, launched
in 2009 by Dro Kanayan, grandson to a famous Armenian general by the
same name.
It's been a three-man operation since the get-go with Albert S.
Movsesian part of the team. Together, we visit anywhere from 8-10
schools a year and elaborate on the Armenian Genocide with a video
made especially for the occasion and eyewitness accounts.
It is often not an easy sell, given the age and elements of today's
youth. But they wouldn't be taking such a world history curriculum
if they weren't the least bit interested in genocide/Holocaust studies.
On the whole, I would say we're taking giant strides forward with
the subject matter. I'm sure they'd rather be shooting hoops in a
gym class than listening to someone preach about 1.5 million victims
being annihilated by the Turks.
The approach needed something more than just a couple guys before
a classroom blowing out hot air on a hot day. The sight of someone
looking out into space can be somewhat dispiriting.
Our show needed a new twist, one that would leave an indelible imprint
upon our young audience. A letter arrived in the mail from students
at Chelmsford High School shortly after our appearance there that
went better than expected.
These teens represented a project titled "Be the Change." As a final
coup de grace, I asked 25 of them to stand and take a pledge with
their right hands in the air. Even their instructor wasn't exempt.
Here's what they repeated after me:
"I pledge to try to make a difference in the lives of others. I pledge
to stand against intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, and hate,
and to promote greater understanding and acceptance. I recognize that
even small acts of kindness can have a big impact on others. I pledge
to be the change."
I figure the best way to change the world is to start with the
individual-and a pledge for peace would certainly be remembered in
light of everything else we threw at them that day.
In a follow-up letter, they wrote: "We at Chelmsford High School
truly appreciate the time your organization has spent sharing the
Armenian story with us. We realize that the best route to positive
change is through awareness and understanding. You have given us the
unique experience of seeing the world through another's eyes. We are
now better prepared to honor our pledge."
As a parting token, they each affixed a signature to the letter and
agreed to make a donation in our honor to a worthy charity as a token
of their appreciation.
At a time when today's youth is often given a bad rap and clearly
misunderstood by elders, here's a cluster of exemplary students
pledging to be the change.
Last October when I lost my mother, many expressed their condolences
with cards and e-mails mourning the city's last genocide survivor.
Some were expected. Others were not. Never did I anticipate a manila
envelope filled with sympathy cards from students at one of the
schools we had addressed.
Each one bore a personal message that warmed my heart during this time
of grief. And it was only because we had enhanced their education on
the Armenian Genocide and spoke a bit about the survivors.
Another class lobbied the United States Postal authorizes for
a commemorative stamp marking the 2015 centennial, complete with
written statements and artwork.
There was a time when we made the approach to schools. Now they're
approaching us for return visits. Many also want another program we
offer-a panel discussion featuring four to five genocide groups each
giving their own story and a pitch for human rights.
Communities are getting involved by joining the class and donating
Armenian books to their respective libraries. Bottom line: We're
teaching what the history books are not in compliance with mandated
educational standards.
I do not know how the coming year will impact these schools or how
these students will react to the Armenian Genocide. Hopefully, they
will use it to restore some calm in their lives and prevent future
genocides from repeating themselves.
What I do know is this: By these students, we, too, are being taught.
And that happens to be the greatest source of educational power we
have at our disposal.
Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/08/03/genocide-students-make-ultimate-pledge-for-change/
Aug 3, 2011
CHELMSFORD, Mass.-Much as I tend to be involved with Armenian affairs,
as my family and friends might attest, nothing quite cuts the mustard
better than promoting genocide education in our schools.
Chelmsford High genocide students pledge to promote change.
It's something I've been doing the past three years as part of the
Armenian Genocide Education Committee of Merrimack Valley, launched
in 2009 by Dro Kanayan, grandson to a famous Armenian general by the
same name.
It's been a three-man operation since the get-go with Albert S.
Movsesian part of the team. Together, we visit anywhere from 8-10
schools a year and elaborate on the Armenian Genocide with a video
made especially for the occasion and eyewitness accounts.
It is often not an easy sell, given the age and elements of today's
youth. But they wouldn't be taking such a world history curriculum
if they weren't the least bit interested in genocide/Holocaust studies.
On the whole, I would say we're taking giant strides forward with
the subject matter. I'm sure they'd rather be shooting hoops in a
gym class than listening to someone preach about 1.5 million victims
being annihilated by the Turks.
The approach needed something more than just a couple guys before
a classroom blowing out hot air on a hot day. The sight of someone
looking out into space can be somewhat dispiriting.
Our show needed a new twist, one that would leave an indelible imprint
upon our young audience. A letter arrived in the mail from students
at Chelmsford High School shortly after our appearance there that
went better than expected.
These teens represented a project titled "Be the Change." As a final
coup de grace, I asked 25 of them to stand and take a pledge with
their right hands in the air. Even their instructor wasn't exempt.
Here's what they repeated after me:
"I pledge to try to make a difference in the lives of others. I pledge
to stand against intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, and hate,
and to promote greater understanding and acceptance. I recognize that
even small acts of kindness can have a big impact on others. I pledge
to be the change."
I figure the best way to change the world is to start with the
individual-and a pledge for peace would certainly be remembered in
light of everything else we threw at them that day.
In a follow-up letter, they wrote: "We at Chelmsford High School
truly appreciate the time your organization has spent sharing the
Armenian story with us. We realize that the best route to positive
change is through awareness and understanding. You have given us the
unique experience of seeing the world through another's eyes. We are
now better prepared to honor our pledge."
As a parting token, they each affixed a signature to the letter and
agreed to make a donation in our honor to a worthy charity as a token
of their appreciation.
At a time when today's youth is often given a bad rap and clearly
misunderstood by elders, here's a cluster of exemplary students
pledging to be the change.
Last October when I lost my mother, many expressed their condolences
with cards and e-mails mourning the city's last genocide survivor.
Some were expected. Others were not. Never did I anticipate a manila
envelope filled with sympathy cards from students at one of the
schools we had addressed.
Each one bore a personal message that warmed my heart during this time
of grief. And it was only because we had enhanced their education on
the Armenian Genocide and spoke a bit about the survivors.
Another class lobbied the United States Postal authorizes for
a commemorative stamp marking the 2015 centennial, complete with
written statements and artwork.
There was a time when we made the approach to schools. Now they're
approaching us for return visits. Many also want another program we
offer-a panel discussion featuring four to five genocide groups each
giving their own story and a pitch for human rights.
Communities are getting involved by joining the class and donating
Armenian books to their respective libraries. Bottom line: We're
teaching what the history books are not in compliance with mandated
educational standards.
I do not know how the coming year will impact these schools or how
these students will react to the Armenian Genocide. Hopefully, they
will use it to restore some calm in their lives and prevent future
genocides from repeating themselves.
What I do know is this: By these students, we, too, are being taught.
And that happens to be the greatest source of educational power we
have at our disposal.