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Neon Tommy- USC, CA
April 24 2014
The Armenian Genocide: Survivors and Rescuers
Roza Petrosyan
Recently, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a
resolution addressing the genocide of more than 1.5 million Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. The resolution, introduced
by Senator Robert Menendez and intended to nationally recognize the
massacres that took place 99 years ago, must be voted upon by the
Senate before it can move forward.
Despite the existence of several official US documents that already
refer to the events in 1915 as 'genocide' and commemorative
declarations by 43 states, supporters have made multiple attempts in
the past to advance similar initiatives at the highest levels of
government. Yet the course this new legislation will take is
predictable. After giving Armenian-Americans false hope of national
acknowledgment by a world power and angering the Turkish government,
which invests significant resources to spread its denialist propaganda
regarding the events, the resolution will most likely be defeated.
Turkish leaders have already condemned this Committee's actions and
have threatened to sever ties with the United States.
In the meantime, people all over the world, regardless of their ethnic
background, take action without relying on governmental bureaucratic
dealings. Being Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, April becomes
a month of commemoration and education about the Armenian Genocide as
well as the Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide and others. Events
remembering victims are organized, but so is celebration of survivors
who rebuilt communities and heroes who rescued thousands of people
from imminent death. These events might prove to be more influential
than passing a resolution, since education about mass violence and the
ability of individuals to stand up to such crimes can contribute to
prevention of future tragedies.
Thus, we should continue to support organizations and individuals who
emphasize the resilience of the human spirit by spreading conversation
about those who resisted and those who put their own lives at risk to
save victims.
Yet in an attempt to commemorate past tragedies, we must not treat
them as isolated incidents that solely impacted victim groups and thus
only concern those of the given background. Genocide is a human
calamity that becomes part of the history of all nations whether they
choose to be involved or not. While the American government juggles
the issues of the Armenian Genocide today, it was at the forefront of
rescue efforts in 1915.
By establishing committees for relief, such as the Near East Relief
Foundation, it sent significant resources that saved Armenians and
other victims. Through their work in the Ottoman Empire, American
politicians, such as Henry Morgenthau, and missionaries, advocated for
the Christians that were being massacres while doing everything in
their power to save lives. In the meantime, prominent American
newspapers such as the New York Times, the Washington Post and others
covered the tragedy in the Middle East on a regular basis. This is why
we must highlight the shared history between Armenians and Americans
to show that the United States government is also commemorating a part
of its history while recognizing the Genocide.
READ ALSO: USC Genocide Awareness Month
Similarly, we must combat denial, not by incessantly highlighting the
brutality of the killings or the number of the victims in the Ottoman
Empire, but by showing that Turkish history is also marked by heroes
who resisted the Genocide and saved innocent lives. There were many
ordinary Turks, as well as dignitaries, such as Turkish politician
Mehmet Celal Bey, who saved their Armenian compatriots while risking
their careers and lives. By denying the Armenian Genocide, the Turkish
government does not solely cover up its ancestors crimes; it also
erases the memory of the brave Turks who stood up against mass
violence and destruction.
So despite what American senators or President Obama will decide to
call the Armenian Genocide, or any other crimes against humanity,
ordinary people can continue to educate future generations about
genocide and support causes that will influence understanding and
tolerance.
http://www.neontommy.com/news/2014/04/roza
April 24 2014
The Armenian Genocide: Survivors and Rescuers
Roza Petrosyan
Recently, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a
resolution addressing the genocide of more than 1.5 million Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. The resolution, introduced
by Senator Robert Menendez and intended to nationally recognize the
massacres that took place 99 years ago, must be voted upon by the
Senate before it can move forward.
Despite the existence of several official US documents that already
refer to the events in 1915 as 'genocide' and commemorative
declarations by 43 states, supporters have made multiple attempts in
the past to advance similar initiatives at the highest levels of
government. Yet the course this new legislation will take is
predictable. After giving Armenian-Americans false hope of national
acknowledgment by a world power and angering the Turkish government,
which invests significant resources to spread its denialist propaganda
regarding the events, the resolution will most likely be defeated.
Turkish leaders have already condemned this Committee's actions and
have threatened to sever ties with the United States.
In the meantime, people all over the world, regardless of their ethnic
background, take action without relying on governmental bureaucratic
dealings. Being Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, April becomes
a month of commemoration and education about the Armenian Genocide as
well as the Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide and others. Events
remembering victims are organized, but so is celebration of survivors
who rebuilt communities and heroes who rescued thousands of people
from imminent death. These events might prove to be more influential
than passing a resolution, since education about mass violence and the
ability of individuals to stand up to such crimes can contribute to
prevention of future tragedies.
Thus, we should continue to support organizations and individuals who
emphasize the resilience of the human spirit by spreading conversation
about those who resisted and those who put their own lives at risk to
save victims.
Yet in an attempt to commemorate past tragedies, we must not treat
them as isolated incidents that solely impacted victim groups and thus
only concern those of the given background. Genocide is a human
calamity that becomes part of the history of all nations whether they
choose to be involved or not. While the American government juggles
the issues of the Armenian Genocide today, it was at the forefront of
rescue efforts in 1915.
By establishing committees for relief, such as the Near East Relief
Foundation, it sent significant resources that saved Armenians and
other victims. Through their work in the Ottoman Empire, American
politicians, such as Henry Morgenthau, and missionaries, advocated for
the Christians that were being massacres while doing everything in
their power to save lives. In the meantime, prominent American
newspapers such as the New York Times, the Washington Post and others
covered the tragedy in the Middle East on a regular basis. This is why
we must highlight the shared history between Armenians and Americans
to show that the United States government is also commemorating a part
of its history while recognizing the Genocide.
READ ALSO: USC Genocide Awareness Month
Similarly, we must combat denial, not by incessantly highlighting the
brutality of the killings or the number of the victims in the Ottoman
Empire, but by showing that Turkish history is also marked by heroes
who resisted the Genocide and saved innocent lives. There were many
ordinary Turks, as well as dignitaries, such as Turkish politician
Mehmet Celal Bey, who saved their Armenian compatriots while risking
their careers and lives. By denying the Armenian Genocide, the Turkish
government does not solely cover up its ancestors crimes; it also
erases the memory of the brave Turks who stood up against mass
violence and destruction.
So despite what American senators or President Obama will decide to
call the Armenian Genocide, or any other crimes against humanity,
ordinary people can continue to educate future generations about
genocide and support causes that will influence understanding and
tolerance.
http://www.neontommy.com/news/2014/04/roza