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Six High Schools Receive Genocide Education

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  • Six High Schools Receive Genocide Education

    SIX HIGH SCHOOLS RECEIVE GENOCIDE EDUCATION
    Tom Vartabedian

    Armenian Weekly
    Wed, May 12 2010

    Merrimack Valley, Mass.-Better late than never.

    Albert S. Movsesian of the Merrimack Valley Armenian Genocide Education
    Committee gives a presentation to one of six high schools this spring
    in conjunction with a curriculum being proposed by the Governor's
    Council on Education.

    Six high schools throughout this region north of Boston received a
    heavy dose of Armenian Genocide education this spring in conjunction
    with a curriculum proposed by the Massachusetts Governor's Council
    on Education in 1998.

    Members of the newly-formed Merrimack Valley Genocide Education
    Committee have covered the area, offering classes, presentations and
    panel discussions on the subject, looking to get a formal curriculum
    established.

    Schools that have welcomed the talks include: Haverhill, Westford
    Academy, Lowell, Chelmsford, Bedford and Wilmington. Others are also
    being approached during the next school year in an effort to reach
    every community. North Andover and Tewksbury also reciprocated last
    year. The area boasts some two dozen high schools.

    The 1998 law allows for the development of a curriculum framework to
    teach the genocide alongside the Irish Potato Famine, Jewish Holocaust,
    African Slave Passage and other crimes against humanity.

    The organization Facing History and Ourselves based in Brookline
    developed a curriculum in conjunction with various genocide experts
    which has proved a valuable resource to educators involved.

    Founded in 1976, it is an international educational and professional
    development non-profit organization which interacts with students of
    diverse backgrounds to promote a more open-minded and informed society.

    Three years ago, a small group of Armenian community activists formed
    the Merrimack Valley committee whose mission it was to prevent future
    crimes against humanity through education. Members have worked with
    local school districts to help teach students about the Armenian
    genocide and the effects it had upon survivors, the community and
    rest of the world.

    "By studying the historical development of genocides, it will help
    students make the connection between history and the moral choices
    they may deal with in their own lives," said Dro Kanayan, committee
    chairman. "We have the full support from state officials, university
    professors and all facets of community life, including the churches."

    During this time, members have appeared before individual and combined
    classrooms with lectures first, followed by panel discussions in
    subsequent visits. The panels have included a genocide scholar,
    along with survivors of the Jewish Holocaust, Cambodia and Rwanda.

    "These sessions have had an immediate impact upon the students since
    many of them have experienced genocide in their own communities,"
    added Kanayan. "More saddening is the fact that many of the students
    had never heard of the Armenian Genocide and had an awakening to this
    horrific event and the long-term effects it has upon society."

    In conjunction with the presentations, classrooms were invited to
    take a pro-active stand against genocide through collective action,
    beginning with a halt to bullying and other forms of peer abuse in
    their schools, including ethnic diversity.

    Students at Wilmington were so moved by the subject, they initiated a
    letter-writing campaign to the Postmaster General for a commemorative
    stamp in memory of the Armenian Genocide.

    "The world would be a better place if we all learned to live in
    harmony," said a student named Marting. "The Armenian Genocide was
    an event in history that should set a precedent among other troubled
    nations. It's important for students like us to raise awareness
    and maybe someday get Turkey to repay the Armenians for the crimes
    they committed. An admission of guilt would be a step in the right
    direction."

    Another student named Nira equated the genocide with similar turmoil
    in her native India.

    "The cultural and religious ties with Armenia intensified the feelings
    I have for my own Indian culture," she said. "Although I was born
    and raised in India, I, too, am struggling to keep my identity intact
    as I assimilate into the American mainstream. The Armenian Genocide
    must not go unpunished and coincides with the problems that face our
    society today."

    At Chelmsford, Holocaust education attracts a number of students.

    Instructors at that school also incorporate other genocides, including
    Armenians, but only in a superficial nature. The fact that outsiders
    were willing to come into their school and donate their services
    boded well with the staff.

    Former Principal George Simonian was instrumental in setting up that
    contact. At Lowell, 12-year world history instructor Lisa Menasian
    laid out the groundwork at that school and got other Armenian teachers
    involved.

    At Bedford, two full days of classes evolved with only a break
    for lunch. Armenian educators stood up to the challenge and walked
    away with a feeling of accomplishment. In several cases, the school
    principal will observe and offer thanks.

    When word of the school visits hit the media, other speaking
    invitations cropped up from service clubs in the cities. A presentation
    to the Haverhill Rotary Club on Armenian Genocide conjured up several
    questions from the audience which offered its support.
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