ArmenianHouse.org has posted the following questionnaire for Armenian bloggers to consider (my answers to the questions will be posted in the comments section of this post):
QUESTIONNAIRE: please answer to these questions in your journals and ask your friends to do the same. Please answer in details where possible, since these are not only “Yes” or “No”, but often also “Why” questions. Thank you!
1. On April 24th I will participate in the genocide commemoration events.
Yes / No / Why?
2. We must remember the genocide.
Yes / No / Why?
3. Sooner or later I will tell my children about the genocide.
Yes / No / Why?
4. Some of my ancestors are from the territory of modern Turkey.
Yes / No / Don’t know
5. Official recognition and condemnation of the genocide by other countries (US, Europe, etc.) is important.
Yes / No / Why?
6. Armenians must also pursue for financial and/or territorial compensation for genocide.
Yes / No / Why?
7. What other peoples suffered genocide on the territory of modern Turkey. Please list. No googling, please.
8. I think I know a lot about the genocide of Armenians.
Yes / No / Why?
9. Please add anything else you want to tell related to the subject here.
Artur Papyan
Journalist, blogger, digital security and media consultant
3 Comments
Comments are closed.
1. On April 24th I will participate in the genocide commemoration events.
Yes / No / Why?
Yes – I think it is a duty of respect for all Armenians.
2. We must remember the genocide.
Yes / No / Why?
I am a decedent of victims of genocide. My grand-grandfather was a soldier of Andranik. It is part of my blood and genome. This is so personal for me, that I cannot think of anything logical or reasonable. I just MUST remember, because I CAN’T forget.
3. Sooner or later I will tell my children about the genocide.
Yes / No / Why?
I am telling my son (4 years old) – without engaging into hate propaganda or anything. I think he must know – just as I was told by my parents.
4. Some of my ancestors are from the territory of modern Turkey.
Yes / No / Don’t know
Yes: Mush, Alashkert, Kars
5. Official recognition and condemnation of the genocide by other countries (US, Europe, etc.) is important.
Yes / No / Why?
Yes
6. Armenians must also pursue for financial and/or territorial compensation for genocide.
Yes / No / Why?
No – I don’t think putting such claims will serve the purpose. I think one of the reasons of denial is the Turkish fear of reparations. However, I am open to discussion on this one – I really don’t know…
7. What other peoples suffered genocide on the territory of modern Turkey. Please list. No googling, please.
Greeks, Assyrians
8. I think I know a lot about the genocide of Armenians.
Yes / No / Why?
No – I was educated in the Soviet times, when such knowledge wasn’t encouraged. What I know is a result of my grandparents telling me, and my own efforts to find information.
9. Please add anything else you want to tell related to the subject here.
Stop Genocide in Darfur!!!
Can I just say that there are many reasons why recognition and condemnation of Armenian genocide is important. Most importat however is that recognition will serve as a guarantee that such a thing will not happen again. Until it is recognized and condemned genocides are doomed to repeat. Quoting the Armenian genocide survival “Denial is the last stage of genocide.”
If I had the power to change the world, where will I begin? Would I dictate the world or would I exert all my efforts to help others? Would I know what to do, or regardless what decisions I make, would I be fair to all? At the end of the day, would I really want to put orders before judging myself?