Parev-ner Toronto-yen!
Hello All,
My name is Rupen Janbazian and I am from Toronto, Canada. I was born in Toronto in 1988 and am currently in my final year at the A.R.S. Armenian Secondary School. I have been reading the Cilicia "Life in the Armenian Diaspora" blog for a while now, and have always been interested to write on it. I believe that the voice of Toronto Armenians, and all Armenian Canadians alike, should be heard, as we live in a very active and strong community. Armenians have had a big impact on the development of Toronto, by founding many churches, schools, and community centers across the city. I myself am very active in the Toronto Armenian community, taking part in many different organizations. I plan on attending university in the near future in the field of political science and history. Through my education, I plan on making the Armenian voice heard internationally, and hope for justice to be served for the Armenian question. It is an honor to write for this blog! I hope to post interesting material from the Armenian Community here in Toronto, and the surrounding areas... "Mohd adenen guh dessnveenk..."
posted by Rupen at 4:37 AM
7 Comments:
Hi Rupen, welcome to cilicia.com. Looking forward to read all about the Armenian Canadian experience.
Alright, this is good. Now we just need a Quebecois. :)
Pari Yegar... :) yev pari vaylum.. (haha, I stole this line from Karnig S.) Great to have u with us.. looking forward to hearing from a Toronto-Armenian still living in Toronto. :)
Rupen, as a young Canadian Armenian residing in Montreal, I welcome your enthusiasm, drive and initiative to help make a real and lasting difference within your tightly knight community of devoted Armenians. You will make a fine example for the growing number of active youth in the community. However, I was saddened and distraught by your statements hoping "for justice to be served for the Armenian question."
WHAT "ARMENIAN QUESTION" ARE YOU REFERRING TO???????????
There is NO "Armenian Question". I'm sure you did not mean to cast doubt on (or question) the fact that 1.5 million innocent men, women and children were murdered in a premeditated GENOCIDE in 1915. But to refer to the Armenian Genocide as the "Armenian Question" casts doubt on your conviction that the genocide did occur and further trivializes the real pain that survivors and our martyrs went through. Please 'call a spade a spade' and avoid using the euphemistic terminology that Turkish lobbying groups love to hear.
Best Regards,
Levon G.
Hi Levon - You have jumped the gun on a commonly used term which does not cast doubt on the genocide. The "Armenian Question" (Haygagan Harts') is a term that came into use in the 1800's in reference to the question of the future of the Armenians... would they get independence, equality, etc. When the severe massacres and genocide happened, it became a reference to recognition, justice and reparations. It in no way implies that the genocide may or may not have happened, and the Turks do not use the term at all. It is still widely used among Armenians.
Raffi jun, this is exactly the point. Just because it is "commonly used" does not legitimize the context in which the term is utilized. This archaic terminology in reference to what Armenians deserve (i.e. recognition, reparations and reconciliation) should not be a QUESTION in the cognitive strategies of Armenians while demanding formal and complete justice. 'Odars' perceive the term as another euphemistic phrase entertained by those skeptical of using the term Armenian Genocide. Thus Armenians should just call it for what it is to avoid common misunderstanding. If were talking about the Armenian Genocide then just say it for what it is. If you’re talking about the Justice than clearly state: Recognition, Retribution and Reconciliation as required prerequisites.
Raffi, there is NO "Hyegagan Hartszoom". However, there does exist a number of "Questions for Turks" that need to be addressed. Turks must answer why my great grandfathers lands were stolen from Van? When is Turkey going to come to terms with its past? Where is my great grandmother? When, NOT if, compensation for lands and possessions that were stolen from my family in 1915 are going to be returned???? These are all "Turkish Questions" that Turks must deal with among themselves to provide Armenians with answers. The ball is in their court. The ball has been in their court for 90 years and I'm still waiting for their answers. So the "Turkish Question" remains unanswered. Raffi, now is the time to break free and get some "Armenian Answers".
In 1915, Ottoman perpetrators slaughtered innocent Armenian's in a systemic genocide and for 90 long years Armenians have been demanding The Three Big R's from the Turks: Recognition, Retribution and Reconciliation. WE WILL ACHIEVE ALL OF THEM. There should NOT be ANY hesitation within our own community on whether they will fully and completely fulfill the 3 R's. The blood is on their hands not ours.
They are the ones that have to answer the Turkish question of continued denial or justice.
That's their problem and question not ours. By referring to the "Armenian Question" as hypothetical justice that might someday come true is wrongheaded and counterintuitive when demanding the 3 R's from perpetrators. We must demand...NOT question Turkey's responsibility to complete the 3 R's.
Perhaps the question of whether or not the Turks will recognize their heinous past, compensate the victims and their descendants and actively seek reconciliation should be referred to as the "Turkish Question". It is a Turkish question of whether or not they will take responsibility for their past or continue to deny it and it is the Armenian that awaits the RIGHT answer.
Caveat - Indeed, Turks do use the term "Armenian Question" to describe the Armenian Genocide. University of Michigan Professor Fatma Muge Gocek is a classic example. Her interview was recently published in an Armenian Weekly article. Her contact info can be found by 'Googling her' to inquire more in depth information regarding this topic.
Levon
Thanks Raffi..I couldnt have said it better...
Levon...Recognition, Retribution and Reconciliation???
I'd add RESTORATION...(Hogheroo veratartzoom)
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