Wilmington students lobby Congress for genocide recognition

by Tom Vartabedian

Published: Wednesday October 27, 2010

A meeting with Wilmington high school students.

Wilmington, Mass. - I'm sitting on top of my Armenian world today.

That's because something I might have said to some students resulted in positive action. Youth must be served. In this case, it's youth who's doing the serving.

For the past three years, a small group of us representing the Armenian Genocide Curriculum Committee of Merrimack Valley has been stomping in and out of local high schools, bringing our story to the classroom. Not once have we been denied access.

It's proven much more effective than preaching to our own choir. In most cases, the students and teachers are captivated by what transpired during the genocidal years of 1915-1923. But one high school in particular went the extra mile and implored our political elite to take measures toward genocide recognition and pass the word to their colleagues, some of whom continue to remain nebulous on the subject.

You never know what you're going to get when you cold call students in today's educational world. In some schools, you might find an occasional student wandering off into another world. Wilmington comes well prepared where I understand there's a waiting list to enroll in this course.

And those who learn of the Armenian Genocide are not only sympathetic to our cause, they want to do something about it. They want to be heard. As Armenians, we welcome a different voice, especially when it comes from the next generation.

Here's a letter to US Congressman John Tierney from junior Lauren Powers, one of several at this school enrolled in a course called "Facing History and Ourselves."

"I feel it's impossible for Armenians to move on as a people if the world doesn't recognize this terrible tragedy," she writes. "There are many groups today that make joint efforts to try and get through to the government but apparently, this genocide doesn't even deserve a postage stamp. Last year, my class wrote to the U.S. Postal Service regarding the Armenian Genocide and was told they cannot recognize every tragedy that occurs. Perhaps if they spoke to a genocide survivor, they would change their mind."

Another from senior Shauna Smith to Congressman Tierney could not have come at a better time due to his sudden retreat on the matter.

"As an American student and activist, I feel it is unacceptable that the United States continues to deny the intentional slaughter and intended extermination of countless Armenians as a legitimate genocide. What I'm asking you, Congressman Tierney, is no small favor, but one I deem worthy of action. In order for the Armenian Genocide to be properly commemorated, proper information must be mass distributed and acknowledged by public and private school systems. Countries in denial should be personally addressed. I alone cannot convince a country or state. It must come from higher government."

Congressman Tierney wasn't the only target. A cache of letters was also addressed to U.S. Senator Scott Brown. One came from senior Alexa Steenbruggen and this is what she wrote:

"Until I took this class and learned from outside speakers, I had no idea genocide occurred in Armenia which I consider to be a major problem. The fact I was completely clueless about such a tragedy appalls me. I'm requesting you simply encourage the remaining states to join in this recognition and help get a senate resolution passed. A simple documentary, speech or rally could help the process. These crimes against humanity must not be forgotten. In order for the world to achieve a better state of harmony, I ask that you please help the United States as a whole to completely recognize this genocide."

I think you get the message. In all, a dozen letters went to each of these politicians. The class we addressed that day contained 12 students. Every one of them complied with letters that were well written and poignant.

To top it off, each of them wrote a personal card acknowledging our visit to their school. Upon entering, we were struck by an array of signs on the walls depicting the genocide. Had it been a class of Armenian students, I would not have been so surprised.

In an age when little is written about the Armenian Genocide in our history books or even discussed by educators lacking knowledge, here's a group that appears well-versed on the subject. Moreover, they're putting their education to good use by arousing some of our political elite.

For that, they must be commended. If more followed the example, just maybe genocide recognition would not remain a foregone conclusion.