April 24, 1915, is a day of remembrance for all Armenians. A day when Christian Armenians peacefully living in Turkey would face the Ottoman Empire's wrath-an ethnic cleansing, a barbaric, systematic extermination of gentle souls.
April 24, 2015, on the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the United States of America has not sought justice, reparations, or acknowledged the Armenian Massacre as Genocide, where an estimated 1.5 million human beings were slaughtered. Additionally, Assyrians, Syrians, Anatolian, and Pontic Greeks were slaughtered.
Genocide is genocide. Say the word Mr. President. Borrow some testicles. Like Turkey, you will 'get over it.'
God spared my grandmother as she trudged through the death march upon the Deir ez-Zor desert, burying her only baby beneath the sand. She lived with unwavering faith, to give witness to the inhumane horrors and atrocities that befell women and children on that desert march. Those atrocities, forever seared into her eyes, would reflect a pain that no human being should ever carry. Her visions were of Ottoman soldiers raping young girls and women; torturing, then murdering them. Infants were tossed into the air and bayoneted for "fun." This was the finale to what my grandmother witnessed in her village where age afforded no boundaries; there would be no males that survived.
My grandfather was working the Panama Canal when the Genocide took place. He mourned the loss of his entire family, until reading a notice placed in the Armenian newspaper (10) years later; it was from his beloved bride. She was alive in France. They would raise a family in the United States.
My generation knew our grandparents, if we were fortunate. I never got to meet my aunt who perished in that desert. As those of Armenian heritage, I carry her memory inside me. A memory given by my grandmother. I know that God has brought them together now, in peace, where they began their journey with unwavering faith.
Mr. Erdogan, President of Turkey, your denial of the Armenian 'Genocide,' like our President, sheds light on your character--er, lack thereof. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, enjoyed a shirtless photo op on a horse. Perhaps, you should try it on a jackass as befitting.
President Obama... Well... he wears a shirt riding in his golf cart. He smiles--a lot. His speeches--he was a fine orator, quite remarkable on delivering his lines. Hollywood most likely agrees.
On January 19, 2008, during his presidential campaign, Obama released a powerful statement regarding the recognition of the Armenian Massacre as Genocide and we drank the Kool-Aid. Even those that never really liked Kool-Aid--believed.
Statement:
President Obama, there is no need to step up to the podium today, April 24th, 2015. Nary a soul wishes to hear from a man whose word is not his bond.
And, that is our take.
©2015 Jilliestake
Mr. Erdogan, President of Turkey, your denial of the Armenian 'Genocide,' like our President, sheds light on your character--er, lack thereof. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, enjoyed a shirtless photo op on a horse. Perhaps, you should try it on a jackass as befitting.
President Obama... Well... he wears a shirt riding in his golf cart. He smiles--a lot. His speeches--he was a fine orator, quite remarkable on delivering his lines. Hollywood most likely agrees.
On January 19, 2008, during his presidential campaign, Obama released a powerful statement regarding the recognition of the Armenian Massacre as Genocide and we drank the Kool-Aid. Even those that never really liked Kool-Aid--believed.
Statement:
"I also share with Armenian Americans – so many of whom are descended from genocide survivors - a principled commitment to commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S. Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey's acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term "genocide" to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide." http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=1365
President Obama, there is no need to step up to the podium today, April 24th, 2015. Nary a soul wishes to hear from a man whose word is not his bond.
And, that is our take.
©2015 Jilliestake
“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.”
Video:
https://youtu.be/5egaJH5NwFY
© 2015 Jillie's Take
William Saroyan Poem about the Armenian Genocide... by albi450
