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The Macomb Daily
April 18 2014
For April is the month of Genocide
Spring is a time of regeneration. It's an opportunity that nature has
selected to be reborn in all its splendor.
It's also a time to reflect. It gives us all a chance to evaluate the
past and make plans for the future.
At least that's the usual understanding of spring. However, there's
something else about spring and particular in April, that makes one
not only reflect but realize that our world is an entity
incomprehensible.
For April is the month of Genocide. I've noticed that the Armenian
Genocide, which commemorates its 99th anniversary this year, occurred
in April.
Along with the Cambodian Genocide of 1974 and the Rwandan Genocide of
2014, April was the beginning of these shameful episodes of man. It
has become an odd coincidence.
April isn't supposed to be an annual remembrance of collective
genocides. We're supposed to be getting ready for gardening, lawn care
and the usual preparation for the season that we all look forward to.
However, here we are again, remembering the genocides of the past. The
Armenian, Cambodian and Rwandan are man's contribution to remember
spring.
When does it end? When do we learn? Collectively we haven't learned
anything. Indeed genocide is likely again and is happening again this
April.
Kessab, a historic Armenian city in Syria, is now being prepared for a
genocide. Indigeneous for 1,000 years they have been literally chased
out of their homes recently.
Homes, schools, businesses and everything known to the inhabitants of
Kessab have been taken over. Within several days they evacuated this
area which they called home for a millenium.
Reports have come back that the residents of Kessab will call their
home phone numbers and an unfamiliar voice answers. The responder
sarcastically thanks them for the nice house they left, the
refrigerator full of food and the furniture which they now are sitting
on.
Adding insult to injury, they added in the conversation that the
furnishings brought a good price. Besides pillaging the home they sold
the contents.
Yes, it's April. Again the perpetrators of genocide and its
accompanying acts of destruction are active.
April is ideally a time of rebirth. It's to be a time of beginning.
Yet, for Armenians of 99 years ago, Cambodians of 40 years ago and
Rwandans of 20 years ago, April was the end for many.
April today for the Armenians of Kessab is an unknown. It's hoped that
it will result not in an end but in a beginning.
When will we ever learn? When does it end?
To quote a line from a song of long ago, "The Answer My Friend is
Blowing in the Wind". May April no longer be the month of genocide for
humanity can no longer afford it.
Lessons learned? It doesn't seem to be the case.
So while you plan where you'll be planting flowers, what shrubs you'll
be adding and the myriad of other thoughts spring brings, reflect
about Kessab in spring.
They'll not be thinking about gardening or anything remotely close to
that. They're thinking about survival!
We can't wrap our minds about being driven from a home that my
ancestors were in for scores of generations. For us it's beyond
belief.
However, for Armenians and indeed others it's "standard' procedure.
Genocide is part of an accepted "norm" in certain areas of the world.
"What can we do"? you ask. Kessab, Cambodia and Rwanda are so far away?
For now, just reflect and remember. If you want to help, there are
Armenian organizations in the area that can will direct you to proper
aid groups. They can be found on line, in the phone books and general
information outlets like your local libraries.
It would be remiss not to reminded that we're all part of humanity.
Holocaust, genocide and ethnic cleansing all emanate from the same
source.
Man's inhumanity to man is still part of "man's inhumanity to man".
When will it end?
The response isn't "blowing in the wind". It lies within each of us.
What's our collective reply? What's our individual response?
Happy Spring. By the way, remember those in Kessab.
Robert Kachadourian
http://www.macombdaily.com/opinion/20140418/for-april-is-the-month-of-genocide
From: A. Papazian
April 18 2014
For April is the month of Genocide
Spring is a time of regeneration. It's an opportunity that nature has
selected to be reborn in all its splendor.
It's also a time to reflect. It gives us all a chance to evaluate the
past and make plans for the future.
At least that's the usual understanding of spring. However, there's
something else about spring and particular in April, that makes one
not only reflect but realize that our world is an entity
incomprehensible.
For April is the month of Genocide. I've noticed that the Armenian
Genocide, which commemorates its 99th anniversary this year, occurred
in April.
Along with the Cambodian Genocide of 1974 and the Rwandan Genocide of
2014, April was the beginning of these shameful episodes of man. It
has become an odd coincidence.
April isn't supposed to be an annual remembrance of collective
genocides. We're supposed to be getting ready for gardening, lawn care
and the usual preparation for the season that we all look forward to.
However, here we are again, remembering the genocides of the past. The
Armenian, Cambodian and Rwandan are man's contribution to remember
spring.
When does it end? When do we learn? Collectively we haven't learned
anything. Indeed genocide is likely again and is happening again this
April.
Kessab, a historic Armenian city in Syria, is now being prepared for a
genocide. Indigeneous for 1,000 years they have been literally chased
out of their homes recently.
Homes, schools, businesses and everything known to the inhabitants of
Kessab have been taken over. Within several days they evacuated this
area which they called home for a millenium.
Reports have come back that the residents of Kessab will call their
home phone numbers and an unfamiliar voice answers. The responder
sarcastically thanks them for the nice house they left, the
refrigerator full of food and the furniture which they now are sitting
on.
Adding insult to injury, they added in the conversation that the
furnishings brought a good price. Besides pillaging the home they sold
the contents.
Yes, it's April. Again the perpetrators of genocide and its
accompanying acts of destruction are active.
April is ideally a time of rebirth. It's to be a time of beginning.
Yet, for Armenians of 99 years ago, Cambodians of 40 years ago and
Rwandans of 20 years ago, April was the end for many.
April today for the Armenians of Kessab is an unknown. It's hoped that
it will result not in an end but in a beginning.
When will we ever learn? When does it end?
To quote a line from a song of long ago, "The Answer My Friend is
Blowing in the Wind". May April no longer be the month of genocide for
humanity can no longer afford it.
Lessons learned? It doesn't seem to be the case.
So while you plan where you'll be planting flowers, what shrubs you'll
be adding and the myriad of other thoughts spring brings, reflect
about Kessab in spring.
They'll not be thinking about gardening or anything remotely close to
that. They're thinking about survival!
We can't wrap our minds about being driven from a home that my
ancestors were in for scores of generations. For us it's beyond
belief.
However, for Armenians and indeed others it's "standard' procedure.
Genocide is part of an accepted "norm" in certain areas of the world.
"What can we do"? you ask. Kessab, Cambodia and Rwanda are so far away?
For now, just reflect and remember. If you want to help, there are
Armenian organizations in the area that can will direct you to proper
aid groups. They can be found on line, in the phone books and general
information outlets like your local libraries.
It would be remiss not to reminded that we're all part of humanity.
Holocaust, genocide and ethnic cleansing all emanate from the same
source.
Man's inhumanity to man is still part of "man's inhumanity to man".
When will it end?
The response isn't "blowing in the wind". It lies within each of us.
What's our collective reply? What's our individual response?
Happy Spring. By the way, remember those in Kessab.
Robert Kachadourian
http://www.macombdaily.com/opinion/20140418/for-april-is-the-month-of-genocide
From: A. Papazian