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AS WE SEE IT
By Prof. Osheen Keshishian
You Can't Sweep It Under the Rug
Posted on October 30, 2013
Dr. Martin Deranian recently wrote a historical book - "President
Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug", the story of a rug woven
by over 400 orphan girls following the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by
the Ottoman government. The book was to be presented by the Smithsonian
Institution in December of this year. In 1925, the rug was sent to
the President of the United States Calvin Coolidge as a "Thank You"
gift for his assistance to the orphans following the Genocide.
Indeed a good gesture. The President assured the orphans that the
rug will have a " Place of Honor in the White House." And it did,
as it was displayed in the White House during President Coolidge's
term in office as US President.
He took the rug home after his term expired and his wife gave it back
to the White House.
It was even on display during President Bill Clinton's era.
But, on September 12 of this year, the Smithsonian scholar who helped
organize the event for December 16, suddenly cancelled the exhibition,
believe it or not, citing the White House's decision not to loan
the rug for the exhibit. The White House refused to loan the rug and
gave a very vague and short answer explaining that the rug could not
be loaned out at this time. No further explanation was given. Very
irritating and astounding. Why not at this time? If not now, then
when will it be the time and loan it to the renowned Smithsonian
Institution, a reputable and world renowned American icon.
Paul Michael Taylor, director of the institution's Asian Cultural
History Program, gave no explanation for the White House's refusal
to allow the rug to be on display and said the efforts by the US
Ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, to intervene, had also been
unavailing.
The request goes back nine months. In the beginning of January of
this year, when Ambassador Heffern was asked to assist in securing
the rug for display. Although Taylor, Heffern, and the White House
Curator, William G. Allman, had discussed during the January meeting
the possibility of an event that night include the rug it became
clear that the rug wasn't going to come out of deep hiding.
What's wrong in exhibiting a rug to the public to the public especially
when it is donated to a United States President who displayed it in
the White House.
What's wrong in exhibiting a piece of handicraft?
What's wrong in exhibiting a hand-made historic work?
What's wrong in exhibiting a sample of cultural heritage?
There has to be a reason as to why the White House, a symbol of
freedom, is not explaining and giving reasons for not making the rug
available to the public. Government secret? What else! Everyone thinks
that there has to be a political reason behind it and most probably
it is Turkey, and the US does not want to upset Turkey.
Congressman Brad Sherman of San Fernando Valley, California was not
happy and wrote a letter to the White House and asked to have the
rug permanently displayed. Thank you Congressman.
I also think that the grandchildren of President Coolidge should file
a complaint, after all the rug was a gift to their grandfather and
now it is being tossed around.
Many complaints have gone to the White House by important and well
known individuals, Armenian and American. And I hope that the White
House will respond to the many request positively.
The White House should know that you cannot sweep this Armenian rug
under the rug.
http://www.thearmenianobserver.com/?page_id=21
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
By Prof. Osheen Keshishian
You Can't Sweep It Under the Rug
Posted on October 30, 2013
Dr. Martin Deranian recently wrote a historical book - "President
Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug", the story of a rug woven
by over 400 orphan girls following the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by
the Ottoman government. The book was to be presented by the Smithsonian
Institution in December of this year. In 1925, the rug was sent to
the President of the United States Calvin Coolidge as a "Thank You"
gift for his assistance to the orphans following the Genocide.
Indeed a good gesture. The President assured the orphans that the
rug will have a " Place of Honor in the White House." And it did,
as it was displayed in the White House during President Coolidge's
term in office as US President.
He took the rug home after his term expired and his wife gave it back
to the White House.
It was even on display during President Bill Clinton's era.
But, on September 12 of this year, the Smithsonian scholar who helped
organize the event for December 16, suddenly cancelled the exhibition,
believe it or not, citing the White House's decision not to loan
the rug for the exhibit. The White House refused to loan the rug and
gave a very vague and short answer explaining that the rug could not
be loaned out at this time. No further explanation was given. Very
irritating and astounding. Why not at this time? If not now, then
when will it be the time and loan it to the renowned Smithsonian
Institution, a reputable and world renowned American icon.
Paul Michael Taylor, director of the institution's Asian Cultural
History Program, gave no explanation for the White House's refusal
to allow the rug to be on display and said the efforts by the US
Ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, to intervene, had also been
unavailing.
The request goes back nine months. In the beginning of January of
this year, when Ambassador Heffern was asked to assist in securing
the rug for display. Although Taylor, Heffern, and the White House
Curator, William G. Allman, had discussed during the January meeting
the possibility of an event that night include the rug it became
clear that the rug wasn't going to come out of deep hiding.
What's wrong in exhibiting a rug to the public to the public especially
when it is donated to a United States President who displayed it in
the White House.
What's wrong in exhibiting a piece of handicraft?
What's wrong in exhibiting a hand-made historic work?
What's wrong in exhibiting a sample of cultural heritage?
There has to be a reason as to why the White House, a symbol of
freedom, is not explaining and giving reasons for not making the rug
available to the public. Government secret? What else! Everyone thinks
that there has to be a political reason behind it and most probably
it is Turkey, and the US does not want to upset Turkey.
Congressman Brad Sherman of San Fernando Valley, California was not
happy and wrote a letter to the White House and asked to have the
rug permanently displayed. Thank you Congressman.
I also think that the grandchildren of President Coolidge should file
a complaint, after all the rug was a gift to their grandfather and
now it is being tossed around.
Many complaints have gone to the White House by important and well
known individuals, Armenian and American. And I hope that the White
House will respond to the many request positively.
The White House should know that you cannot sweep this Armenian rug
under the rug.
http://www.thearmenianobserver.com/?page_id=21
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress