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Re: In Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide - 2008
Greater Los Angeles Area, California (US)
Greater Los Angeles Area, California (US)
STUDENTS RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
by Stella Cho, Arshi Khan, and David Lumb
New University Online, CA
April 28 2008
Photo: Nune Alaverdyan | Staff Photographer Darfur Action Committee
event coordinator Sevag Mahserejian informs students about atrocities
committed against Armenians in 1915.
For Armenians, April 24, 1915 is recognized as the start of the
Armenian Genocide, an extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by Turkish
forces. The day carries the charge of injustice for those descendents
of the half-million Armenians who were lucky enough to survive,
and as such has been commemorated by the UC Irvine Armenian Student
Association in recent years through the "Peace, Love and Genocide"
event series.
The events remembering the genocide lasted from April 21 to 24. These
events were held to inform individuals about the tragedy and to
celebrate the enduring nature of the Armenian people.
For Thursday night's presentation, Mariya Andriasian, a third-year
biological sciences major, opened the commemoration in English.
"The 93rd commemoration of the Armenian Genocide [are] simple words
that may strike a sense of familiarity for some ... or anger, despair
and a sense of community for others," Andriasian said.
Following opening comments, Gary Ohanian, a third-year biological
sciences major, performed an original composition on piano accompanied
by audio clips. The news report sound bites described the purportedly
increased tensions between the United States and Turkey, should
Congress pass a bill recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
At the event, artist Madelyne Oliver, a member of the Darfur Action
Committee and a second-year anthropology and art history double-major,
captured the brooding mood of the night's events on a canvas painted
throughout the night.
"Because of the bloodshed and suffering, I pushed the red paint to
the [left] side of the canvas. In the middle, I used brighter colors
like blue and green because they're more hopeful and optimistic,"
Oliver said.
At the center of her piece, Oliver painted two people at the
top of a mound "looking down and watching their culture fall
downhill." According to Oliver, the bright yellow paint behind the
miniature figures at the top represent the Armenians moving "past
their history."
Sevag Mahseredjian, a fourth-year psychology major and the event
coordinator for "Love, Peace and Genocide," agreed that the Armenian
genocide is an event worth remembering.
"It is up to us to educate others to prevent [similar] atrocities
from ever occurring," Mahseredjian said.
Earlier that day, Mahseradjian led a group in a mock protest and handed
out signs with provocative messages such as: "U.S. ... Recognize the
Armenian Genocide!" and "Never Forget!"
Although aimed at the college community, individuals of various ages
participated in activities throughout the week. One young girl recited
a poem in Armenian about the suffering of her people at the candlelight
vigil. Translated into English, the poem contained the words, "Even
with all that's happened we are, we will be and we will grow."
The main guest speaker of the night, Ara Malazian, a member of the
Armenian National Committee, recalled speaking at the 2006 incarnation
of the event when four Turkish students protested the event.
According to Malazian, though ASA apologized to him for the protest,
Malazian stated that he was glad it happened as it proved that the
Armenians are justified in raising awareness about the genocide.
Despite the increasing attention that the genocide has received,
many believe that Turkey will never admit to the genocide. One such
student was Maral Gazarian, a third-year biological sciences major
and Alpha Gamma Alpha member, who volunteered at the event.
"I'd be shocked if [Turkey] recognized it, because it's been 93
years. It's more difficult to accept it," Gazarian said.
Regardless of what stance Turkey takes on the issue, Malazian
stressed that he will continue to raise awareness about Armenian
issues. According to Malazian, his success is evident through the
Armenian diaspora.
"Turkish people [have] signs [that say] we should've finished it
... [it] still bothers me. However, I have hope ... we have to come
to terms with our past," Malazian said.
Malazian also referenced the attempt to pass a non-binding agreement
known as House Resolution 106 in the United States Congress.
"The House Resolution is not binding, it doesn't cost Turkey anything
... [however,] it causes them to face their history," Malazian said.
Malazian connected the Armenian Genocide to many other ethnic
cleansings that have occurred in the world and the importance of
recognizing the past mistakes of humanity.
"If we had done something in 1915, maybe Darfur, Rwanda, the Holocaust
wouldn't have happened," Malazian said.
Prior to the series' climax, the week began with a Day of the Dead
event modeled after Mexico's Dia de los Muertos in which a model of
a Turkish skeleton was built. The model was then marched around Ring
Mall in order to evoke the fact that Turkey has yet to acknowledge
its role in the genocide.
Tuesday celebrated Armenian culture by featuring Armenian flute playing
that is known as duduk. The event reflected the style of music popular
among Armenian society during the times the genocide began.
Wednesday's event raised awareness about the Armenian genocide, as a
group of 50 individuals stood completely still by the UCI flagpoles
and held signs that contained information about the Armenian genocide.
Thursday's noon meeting at the UCI flagpoles involved volunteers
from a number of student organizations. To represent the thousands
of children killed during the course of the slaughter, a mountain of
bright infant and toddler clothing was stacked in piles in front of
a booth setup by Alpha Gamma Alpha, a multicultural sorority.
Similar to Alpha Gamma Alpha, Alpha Epsilon Omega, a primarily Armenian
fraternity, opened a booth alongside the mound of clothes to display
several shirts for sale. Some shirts were emblazoned with the April
24 motto: "Never Forget" and others lamented the death of Hrant Dink,
a Turkish journalist who was assassinated for speaking out against
the Turkish government about the Armenian Genocide.
Above all, Mahseradjian was proud of the week's success. "In four days,
I think we've accomplished and raised more awareness and educated
more bypassers than any other commemoration that's ever taken place,"
Mahseradjian commented.
Although Mahseradjian felt the event was a success he admitted that
reaching the UCI community is an uphill battle.
Similarly, Vache Minasyan, a first-year undeclared major, mentioned
that while the event was helpful in raising awareness, more must
be done.
"It's always good to educate people. We're doing what's within our
means here, but we could do more, we should do more, and we will do
more," Minasyan said.
According to Mahseradjian, ASA's next step in raising awareness about
Armenian issues will be establishing an Armenian history course at UCI.
"We're working on creating a class here at UCI. We're almost
done completing that, so if everything works out there will be an
Armenian history class. And of course it would feature the genocide,"
Mahseradjian said.
by Stella Cho, Arshi Khan, and David Lumb
New University Online, CA
April 28 2008
Photo: Nune Alaverdyan | Staff Photographer Darfur Action Committee
event coordinator Sevag Mahserejian informs students about atrocities
committed against Armenians in 1915.
For Armenians, April 24, 1915 is recognized as the start of the
Armenian Genocide, an extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by Turkish
forces. The day carries the charge of injustice for those descendents
of the half-million Armenians who were lucky enough to survive,
and as such has been commemorated by the UC Irvine Armenian Student
Association in recent years through the "Peace, Love and Genocide"
event series.
The events remembering the genocide lasted from April 21 to 24. These
events were held to inform individuals about the tragedy and to
celebrate the enduring nature of the Armenian people.
For Thursday night's presentation, Mariya Andriasian, a third-year
biological sciences major, opened the commemoration in English.
"The 93rd commemoration of the Armenian Genocide [are] simple words
that may strike a sense of familiarity for some ... or anger, despair
and a sense of community for others," Andriasian said.
Following opening comments, Gary Ohanian, a third-year biological
sciences major, performed an original composition on piano accompanied
by audio clips. The news report sound bites described the purportedly
increased tensions between the United States and Turkey, should
Congress pass a bill recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
At the event, artist Madelyne Oliver, a member of the Darfur Action
Committee and a second-year anthropology and art history double-major,
captured the brooding mood of the night's events on a canvas painted
throughout the night.
"Because of the bloodshed and suffering, I pushed the red paint to
the [left] side of the canvas. In the middle, I used brighter colors
like blue and green because they're more hopeful and optimistic,"
Oliver said.
At the center of her piece, Oliver painted two people at the
top of a mound "looking down and watching their culture fall
downhill." According to Oliver, the bright yellow paint behind the
miniature figures at the top represent the Armenians moving "past
their history."
Sevag Mahseredjian, a fourth-year psychology major and the event
coordinator for "Love, Peace and Genocide," agreed that the Armenian
genocide is an event worth remembering.
"It is up to us to educate others to prevent [similar] atrocities
from ever occurring," Mahseredjian said.
Earlier that day, Mahseradjian led a group in a mock protest and handed
out signs with provocative messages such as: "U.S. ... Recognize the
Armenian Genocide!" and "Never Forget!"
Although aimed at the college community, individuals of various ages
participated in activities throughout the week. One young girl recited
a poem in Armenian about the suffering of her people at the candlelight
vigil. Translated into English, the poem contained the words, "Even
with all that's happened we are, we will be and we will grow."
The main guest speaker of the night, Ara Malazian, a member of the
Armenian National Committee, recalled speaking at the 2006 incarnation
of the event when four Turkish students protested the event.
According to Malazian, though ASA apologized to him for the protest,
Malazian stated that he was glad it happened as it proved that the
Armenians are justified in raising awareness about the genocide.
Despite the increasing attention that the genocide has received,
many believe that Turkey will never admit to the genocide. One such
student was Maral Gazarian, a third-year biological sciences major
and Alpha Gamma Alpha member, who volunteered at the event.
"I'd be shocked if [Turkey] recognized it, because it's been 93
years. It's more difficult to accept it," Gazarian said.
Regardless of what stance Turkey takes on the issue, Malazian
stressed that he will continue to raise awareness about Armenian
issues. According to Malazian, his success is evident through the
Armenian diaspora.
"Turkish people [have] signs [that say] we should've finished it
... [it] still bothers me. However, I have hope ... we have to come
to terms with our past," Malazian said.
Malazian also referenced the attempt to pass a non-binding agreement
known as House Resolution 106 in the United States Congress.
"The House Resolution is not binding, it doesn't cost Turkey anything
... [however,] it causes them to face their history," Malazian said.
Malazian connected the Armenian Genocide to many other ethnic
cleansings that have occurred in the world and the importance of
recognizing the past mistakes of humanity.
"If we had done something in 1915, maybe Darfur, Rwanda, the Holocaust
wouldn't have happened," Malazian said.
Prior to the series' climax, the week began with a Day of the Dead
event modeled after Mexico's Dia de los Muertos in which a model of
a Turkish skeleton was built. The model was then marched around Ring
Mall in order to evoke the fact that Turkey has yet to acknowledge
its role in the genocide.
Tuesday celebrated Armenian culture by featuring Armenian flute playing
that is known as duduk. The event reflected the style of music popular
among Armenian society during the times the genocide began.
Wednesday's event raised awareness about the Armenian genocide, as a
group of 50 individuals stood completely still by the UCI flagpoles
and held signs that contained information about the Armenian genocide.
Thursday's noon meeting at the UCI flagpoles involved volunteers
from a number of student organizations. To represent the thousands
of children killed during the course of the slaughter, a mountain of
bright infant and toddler clothing was stacked in piles in front of
a booth setup by Alpha Gamma Alpha, a multicultural sorority.
Similar to Alpha Gamma Alpha, Alpha Epsilon Omega, a primarily Armenian
fraternity, opened a booth alongside the mound of clothes to display
several shirts for sale. Some shirts were emblazoned with the April
24 motto: "Never Forget" and others lamented the death of Hrant Dink,
a Turkish journalist who was assassinated for speaking out against
the Turkish government about the Armenian Genocide.
Above all, Mahseradjian was proud of the week's success. "In four days,
I think we've accomplished and raised more awareness and educated
more bypassers than any other commemoration that's ever taken place,"
Mahseradjian commented.
Although Mahseradjian felt the event was a success he admitted that
reaching the UCI community is an uphill battle.
Similarly, Vache Minasyan, a first-year undeclared major, mentioned
that while the event was helpful in raising awareness, more must
be done.
"It's always good to educate people. We're doing what's within our
means here, but we could do more, we should do more, and we will do
more," Minasyan said.
According to Mahseradjian, ASA's next step in raising awareness about
Armenian issues will be establishing an Armenian history course at UCI.
"We're working on creating a class here at UCI. We're almost
done completing that, so if everything works out there will be an
Armenian history class. And of course it would feature the genocide,"
Mahseradjian said.
By Ben Preston
The Santa Barbara Independent, CA
April 24 2008
Anger and Remembrance for Armenian UCSB Students
Groups Angered at Opposition to Bill Acknowledging 90-Year-Old Genocide
Last night in the dimly lit auditorium of the Isla Vista Theater,
a group of about 60 people listened as members of UCSB's Armenian
Student Association (ASA) read aloud the memories of survivors of the
Armenian Genocide --which began on April 24, 1915, and lasted until
just after World War I. Chilling tales were recounted -- a father raped
by gendarmes while his family was forced to watch; a group of five-
to ten-year-old boys thrown into a pile and stabbed with bayonets;
families forced to march across the desert for days without water,
only to drink from a river filled with swollen corpses. Counts of
the number of Armenians killed by Ottoman Turks during that period
range from 650,000 to 1.5 million, although the higher number has
been disputed.
Today marks the day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide, and
ASA's message is clear. Speaking out at the ceremony last night,
and staging a protest on UCSB's campus today, students and Armenians
all over are protesting what they say is the Turkish government's
denial of the Armenian Genocide. "For folks like me, [April 24th]
is Armenian Memorial Day," said Mourad Topalian, the event's keynote
speaker and a member of the Armenian Cultural Foundation. "It's a
sad day. We don't know what we can do to make it better, but when we
think about the denial of the Genocide, we become angry."
Today in particular, ASA students are focusing their attention on
a program called No Place for Hate, which is sponsored by the Anti
Defamation League, a well known human rights organization aimed at
making sure the Holocaust is remembered and other atrocities are
not repeated. "[ADL] is a human rights organization, but when House
Resolution 106 passed in the House, they came out actively against
it," said Berj Parseghian, the All ASA Representative for UCSB. "How
can they be a human rights organization and deny the Armenian
Genocide?" Today, ASA students were urging organizations involved
in No Place for Hate to dissociate from the organization because of
it affiliation with ADL. "ADL definitely doesn't have an excuse,"
said Dalida Arakelian, a Santa Barbara High School student. ADL was
unavailable for comment.
While a good part of last night's ceremony was solemn, the rest was
a celebration of Armenian culture, including a dance performance,
poetry readings, and a few Armenian songs played by UCSB's Middle East
Ensemble. As they played a popular Armenian folk song, members of the
audience could be heard singing along. Since the Kingdom of Armenia
(now the secular Republic of Armenia) was the first sovereign nation
to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301CE, Father Hovel
Ohanyan, of the Armenian Church of Santa Barbara, delivered a message
from the Archdiocese. Topalian applauded efforts by young Armenians to
stay connected to their cultural roots. "Be good Americans, but stay
Armenian," he said, "because that defeats the genocide. They tried to
wipe us off the face of the Earth, but if you stay Armenian in your
language and your music and your culture, you defeat the genocide."
Topalian, along with others there, recalled stories told by their
parents and grandparents about the atrocities they endured at the
hands of the Ottoman Turks. "My grandmother was a little girl when
the genocide took place," said Meri Telalyan, a member of ASA. "She
escaped from a burning church when half of it collapsed. Her mother
had to leave four children [that she had taken when another mother was
killed] in the church to escape with her own children. My grandmother
said that not a single day went by when her mother wouldn't cry
herself to sleep."
Today, a struggle still exists from the events which occurred during
that time in history, nearly a century ago. "Instead of healing
over time, the denial comes," said Topalian. "Are they saying that
my parents lied to me about their brothers and sisters who were
killed?" Many Armenians, including Topalian, are calling for an
international tribunal to discuss reparations to be paid to Armenians
by the Turkish government. "I cannot speak for the Turkish government,
but I would say that no party accused of a crime should admit to it
unless it is properly and indisputably proven in a neutral forum that
provides all of the protections of due process," said Nurten Ural,
President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations. "Turkey
already acknowledges a great deal of what constitutes the Armenian
tragedy, but because this does not include calling it genocide,
Armenians allege that Turkey is blind to this entire history. All
nations should deal honestly with their past. Turkey is very openly
doing so." Ural also stated that the Republic of Turkey, formed after
the fall of the Ottoman Empire, is a distinct entity. "The historical
record lacks any proof of centrally planned massacres," he said.
Regardless of position, all parties agree that people generally don't
know enough about the Genocide. "The U.S. public is not adequately
informed about the Armenian Genocide," said Arby Eivazian, a member
of ASA. "We are genuinely interested in an objective inquiry,"
said ATAA President-elect Gunay Evinch. "We support more information
and more speech on these issues. A full assessment of the facts and
events is the only way to reach a long term reconciliation [between
Turkey and Armenians]." Congresswoman Lois Capps needed no further
convincing. "I'm proud to be a cosponsor of House Resolution 106,
which recognizes the tragedy of the Armenian genocide," she said. "It's
important to acknowledge and remember this history, and to learn from
it in order to prevent future instances of genocide and persecution. I
will continue to support U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide."
The Santa Barbara Independent, CA
April 24 2008
Anger and Remembrance for Armenian UCSB Students
Groups Angered at Opposition to Bill Acknowledging 90-Year-Old Genocide
Last night in the dimly lit auditorium of the Isla Vista Theater,
a group of about 60 people listened as members of UCSB's Armenian
Student Association (ASA) read aloud the memories of survivors of the
Armenian Genocide --which began on April 24, 1915, and lasted until
just after World War I. Chilling tales were recounted -- a father raped
by gendarmes while his family was forced to watch; a group of five-
to ten-year-old boys thrown into a pile and stabbed with bayonets;
families forced to march across the desert for days without water,
only to drink from a river filled with swollen corpses. Counts of
the number of Armenians killed by Ottoman Turks during that period
range from 650,000 to 1.5 million, although the higher number has
been disputed.
Today marks the day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide, and
ASA's message is clear. Speaking out at the ceremony last night,
and staging a protest on UCSB's campus today, students and Armenians
all over are protesting what they say is the Turkish government's
denial of the Armenian Genocide. "For folks like me, [April 24th]
is Armenian Memorial Day," said Mourad Topalian, the event's keynote
speaker and a member of the Armenian Cultural Foundation. "It's a
sad day. We don't know what we can do to make it better, but when we
think about the denial of the Genocide, we become angry."
Today in particular, ASA students are focusing their attention on
a program called No Place for Hate, which is sponsored by the Anti
Defamation League, a well known human rights organization aimed at
making sure the Holocaust is remembered and other atrocities are
not repeated. "[ADL] is a human rights organization, but when House
Resolution 106 passed in the House, they came out actively against
it," said Berj Parseghian, the All ASA Representative for UCSB. "How
can they be a human rights organization and deny the Armenian
Genocide?" Today, ASA students were urging organizations involved
in No Place for Hate to dissociate from the organization because of
it affiliation with ADL. "ADL definitely doesn't have an excuse,"
said Dalida Arakelian, a Santa Barbara High School student. ADL was
unavailable for comment.
While a good part of last night's ceremony was solemn, the rest was
a celebration of Armenian culture, including a dance performance,
poetry readings, and a few Armenian songs played by UCSB's Middle East
Ensemble. As they played a popular Armenian folk song, members of the
audience could be heard singing along. Since the Kingdom of Armenia
(now the secular Republic of Armenia) was the first sovereign nation
to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301CE, Father Hovel
Ohanyan, of the Armenian Church of Santa Barbara, delivered a message
from the Archdiocese. Topalian applauded efforts by young Armenians to
stay connected to their cultural roots. "Be good Americans, but stay
Armenian," he said, "because that defeats the genocide. They tried to
wipe us off the face of the Earth, but if you stay Armenian in your
language and your music and your culture, you defeat the genocide."
Topalian, along with others there, recalled stories told by their
parents and grandparents about the atrocities they endured at the
hands of the Ottoman Turks. "My grandmother was a little girl when
the genocide took place," said Meri Telalyan, a member of ASA. "She
escaped from a burning church when half of it collapsed. Her mother
had to leave four children [that she had taken when another mother was
killed] in the church to escape with her own children. My grandmother
said that not a single day went by when her mother wouldn't cry
herself to sleep."
Today, a struggle still exists from the events which occurred during
that time in history, nearly a century ago. "Instead of healing
over time, the denial comes," said Topalian. "Are they saying that
my parents lied to me about their brothers and sisters who were
killed?" Many Armenians, including Topalian, are calling for an
international tribunal to discuss reparations to be paid to Armenians
by the Turkish government. "I cannot speak for the Turkish government,
but I would say that no party accused of a crime should admit to it
unless it is properly and indisputably proven in a neutral forum that
provides all of the protections of due process," said Nurten Ural,
President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations. "Turkey
already acknowledges a great deal of what constitutes the Armenian
tragedy, but because this does not include calling it genocide,
Armenians allege that Turkey is blind to this entire history. All
nations should deal honestly with their past. Turkey is very openly
doing so." Ural also stated that the Republic of Turkey, formed after
the fall of the Ottoman Empire, is a distinct entity. "The historical
record lacks any proof of centrally planned massacres," he said.
Regardless of position, all parties agree that people generally don't
know enough about the Genocide. "The U.S. public is not adequately
informed about the Armenian Genocide," said Arby Eivazian, a member
of ASA. "We are genuinely interested in an objective inquiry,"
said ATAA President-elect Gunay Evinch. "We support more information
and more speech on these issues. A full assessment of the facts and
events is the only way to reach a long term reconciliation [between
Turkey and Armenians]." Congresswoman Lois Capps needed no further
convincing. "I'm proud to be a cosponsor of House Resolution 106,
which recognizes the tragedy of the Armenian genocide," she said. "It's
important to acknowledge and remember this history, and to learn from
it in order to prevent future instances of genocide and persecution. I
will continue to support U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide."
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