April 24th is on a Sunday this year. Across the globe, many religious groups take the day of Sunday to reflect and worship. I implore you, regardless of your religious affiliation, (even if you identify with no religious belief) to take some time to think about your ancestors and the types of sacrifices they made to ensure that you can breathe peacefully today.
April 24th is also a commemorative day for the diaspora of the 1.5 million Christian Armenians who perished in a malicious genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Turks in 1915. It is also a commemorative day for anyone who openly admonishes those who commit crimes against humanity and merciless mass-murder. It is also a commemorative day for the world, as we come to terms with the harsh reality that many of our home countries have not recognized the Armenian Genocide for what it is: genocide.
Let's start with a little information. Armenia is a home to resilient people. Within the last 101 years, the deeply faithful and hopeful people of Armenia have endured a genocide, control under the Soviet regime and constant belittlement and conflict with their neighboring countries. You may be familiar with the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Recent outbreaks of violence have brought about discussion in the news, many outlets labeling the Armenians as the instigators... yet another fact perceived about Armenians and their history that is untrue.
The genocide, which is documented through records and photographs (look them up, they are as common to come by as any picture of the Holocaust) is commonly referred to as the first genocide of the 20th century. When I say genocide, you probably think of the Holocaust and the mass extermination of Jews, Gypsies and other minorities that didn't fit Hitler's composite of the "Aryan" person.
Well, before the Holocaust, what did Hitler think of as genocide? While the word didn't exist yet, Hitler must have believed that the slaughtering of an entire race was an executed task. On August 22, 1939, a speech was delivered by this vile human being. He said,
"Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?" -- Adolf Hitler.
There's your answer.
I said before that Armenia is a home to a type of people who have gone through the most vicious of circumstances, yet continue to exude strength. It's the only way they know how to survive.
Armenia, or Hayastan (the Armenian word for the country), is one of the most beautiful places I have ever had the privilege of visiting. Here is a glimpse of the country:
The last picture shows the landmark Mount Ararat, which can now be found in Turkey. Why is that, you may ask? It is unfortunately just a part of the territory that was assumed Turkish land under the Ottoman Empire's siege of Armenia through the genocide. Much of Armenia's land is now known as Western Armenia, or Eastern Turkey.
On a personal level, you may say to yourself (or me): "Who cares, this happened over 100 years ago. Reparations can no longer be given to the families effected in the form of compensation or giving land back." OK, you're entitled to your own opinion... but on a humanitarian level, recognize how this denial of the genocide by people in countries including the United States and Turkey is a great disservice to the future of the world and the dissipation of genocide and hate.
If you know me, then you know I will tell anyone and everyone that I am Armenian, my family members both died and survived the genocide, and I have been to the motherland twice. Armenia is probably my favorite place in the world, and although most people guffaw at this concept, I rejoice in knowing I feel such a deep spiritual and historical connection to this Christian country landlocked by mostly Islamic countries.
So, again -- I ask you, I plead with you -- I appeal to your beating, empathetic hearts. Take April 24th to remember the things your family did to get you to wherever you are today. Remember, if you can, that there are people in the world who's deaths are still widely rejected as happening because leaders in a more dominant, powerful country were wary of religious conflict and full of greed. Remember that there is a group of people out there who consistently struggle with being ridiculed, bullied and discredited by world leaders and their oppressors/abusers.
If you take an anecdote or fact away from this article, remember the 1.5 million Armenian people who died during the Armenian Genocide of 1915. And remember that the continued denial of this horrible crime only prolongs the process we can make in the world when it comes to achieving peace.
