April 24, 2016, marked the 101st anniversary of the heinous crime that is the Armenian Genocide. For those wondering why I wrote "is" instead of "was," it is because although this event has long passed and embedded itself in history, it is by no means over. Every day of every month of every year, Armenians all around the world have been fighting for the truth and recognition of this gruesome atrocity. Yet, with over a century having gone by, much of the world has yet to come to terms with the facts; and for this reason, we persevere.
For those unfamiliar with the details, the Armenian Genocide began on April 24,1915. On this day, the Ottoman Turks began their 3+ year journey of attempting to annihilate the Armenian nation. They rummaged through houses, forcing everyone out of their homes, but that was not enough. They went on to execute the men of power and intellect, followed by the remaining men, and lastly, the women & children whom they raped and tortured prior to murdering.
Along with all of this came the death marches through the desert, where they were not only forced to walk endlessly, but to do so while exposed to the harsh elements without any food or water. In the end, although the plan of annihilation was not completely carried out, the Turks did, and still have, gotten away with 1.5 million deaths.
Although a highly controversial subject, my views are not in any way opinionated. My great-grandmother was among the survivors of this genocide. While on one of the marches, she and her sister had stopped by a body of water to get a drink and wash their faces, thinking they were getting a break. While knelt over, a Turkish soldier walked up behind them and slashed a knife to their heads. Miraculously, my great-grandmother only had her ear skimmed, but pretended to be dead and later fled. Unfortunately, her sister did fall victim and was killed. My relative’s act of strength served a much larger purpose than survival: awareness.
I stand here today the descendant of a survivor, with the fortunate ability to speak, read, and write the Armenian language. I don't ask for revenge or retaliation, but rather acceptance and recognition. For 101 years, Turkey has continuously denied the fact that a genocide even happened, claiming that they too were victims of a war. Along with them and numerous other countries, the United States of America has yet to accept the truth.
In 2008 while still a senator, Barack Obama stated that he will "speak truthfully" about the Armenian Genocide" when president. Until today, he has yet to even mention the word "genocide" to describe the crimes brought upon the Armenians by the Turks.
I ask you all to just take a moment and read up on the history, examine the proof; it's all there. Spread the word and let everyone know that what happened on April 24, 1915 is not a myth, but an unjust genocide. Fight for justice, not with violence, but with perseverance. Together, let us end this denial once and for all.
