Sometimes it may be difficult for people to understand why, after more than 100 years, Armenians are still demanding recognition of the 1915 Genocide perpetrated by the Young Turks and their newly minted regime.
It’s important to remember this event for several reasons. The demand isn’t simply for recognition, but for an honest acceptance of the impact these events had on those in the past, the present, and future generations. The Genocide means many things, and many of these aspects are mirrored today by the Israeli regime towards the Palestinians in Gaza: mass murder, the complete removal of human dignity, destruction of property, and lies—lies about what is happening, how it’s happening, and why. These events are all too familiar and follow a repetitive pattern throughout history.
But what else does Genocide mean? What does it mean to those indirectly affected, such as the subsequent generations?
Consider the Diaspora and the challenges it poses for connecting with homeland, family, culture, and history. While not every Armenian was impacted directly by the Genocide, those who were forced to flee from current-day Western Türkiye not only faced violence and humiliation but also lost generational wealth, knowledge, lineage, and connection to their homeland. This disconnection has left irreparable scars and also birthed new ones. Many Diasporan families find themselves fragmented across the globe, leading to broken family structures and the need for extensive travel to celebrate and grieve together. Many Diasporans are torn between languages, cultures, and identities. Hybrid cultures have been created, unique to the circumstances and context of their newfound homes. Returning to the motherland does not necessarily heal these wounds, as significant cultural and linguistic differences now exist among the same people. The Diaspora finds itself as a fragmented whole, with various factions worldwide purporting their own versions of Armenian national and religious goals, divided even during times of extreme threat that call for unity.
These ongoing truths about what it means to have been part of a Genocide and to have its shadow looming over generations after the event itself show that fragmentation and differences can also offer new opportunities and richness. We are able to draw from many other cultures around the world and enrich our own Diaspora. We are fortunate enough to still have this small sliver of land in the Caucasus acting as a meeting pad for people from all over the world with an enormous amount of diversity but one undeniable thing in common: our Armenian heritage.
While we must ensure not to deny the most obvious part of our national identity and demand that dues are paid and apologies are made, it must not come at the cost of internal division and further fragmentation. If the Genocide and contemporary events of violence towards Armenia have taught us anything, if the sacrifice of our ancestors is to mean anything tangible, we must accept that division is a weakness and not follow the voices of those deer who run towards the hunter’s nets the instant they see the headlights.
Personally, I’m pretty tired of seeing our politicians refusing to take part in parliament when the enemy is literally standing at the gates. I’m sick of hearing elected officials being referred to as ‘traitors’ and ‘treasonous’ at the drop of a hat. I’m sick of seeing our already fragmented communities bound by invisible chains, making them fearful of expressing views that may differ from the prevailing narratives around them.
We must remember that it was the opportunists who used Genocide as policy to unite themselves by dividing us to then create the modern Türkiye we know today, all on a foundation of our ancestors’ blood and bones. We must disavow those among us who try to do the same today, to honor those who were lost so tragically in such horrific ways.
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