One hundred years since the Genocide of the Armenians and I am reminded everyday of human injustice and the countless injustices inflicted by The Ottoman Turks and continued through today’s Turkey that have not been made right. I saw “Woman in Gold,” (film), simplistic, sentimental with heart rending flashbacks of the mistreatment of Jews by their Austrian countrymen in the ‘30s. I was moved. But what struck me was the idea that denial by the perpetrator of a crime committed only serves to strengthen the plight and cause of the “victim/plaintiff.” That being said, the Armenian cause for justice keeps growing stronger.
One hundred years and the atrocities cannot and will not be forgotten. The painful horrific memories of mistreatment through humiliation and shame, through violation of body and soul, of starvation, torture, and the stench of death that is imbedded in the veins of every survivor of the 1.5 million Armenians whose massacres turned the Euphrates river into blood red and whose ashes and bones enriched the soils of the cities along their path, live in all who have fed off the land and drank the waters. We grow stronger, not weaker, guided by our faith in our Christian heritage. One hundred years, and the echo of the Lord’s Prayer in Armenian resounds through the walls of the Vatican and in union with the tintinnabulation of the bells that ring for justice and peace. We are 100 times stronger, 100 times more credible, with 100 times the allies who speak the truth and with 100 times more integrity than one Turkish government that fears the truth.
One hundred years: Unimpaired strength.
thisihumblyspeak 
I was just listening to an interview on NPR with Fatma Muge Cocek (a Turkish professor of sociology and women’s studies at the University of Michigan and a close friend to Hrant Dink) talk about the Armenian Genocide… and long story short she was saying that by recognizing the genocide, you let the people who are hurting, start to heal. I thought that was an amazing insight and now reading your essay, the part where you’re saying “But what struck me was the idea that denial by the perpetrator of a crime committed only serves to strengthen the plight and cause of the “victim/plaintiff.”, I thought that was quite an insight too. Great essay Silva, very touching!
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Cocek is correct. Healing takes place when the perpetrator admits the wrongdoing. The healing for the Jews started when Germany apologized for the wrongs of the past. But until that time we can only push further our hurt into demanding recognition by Turkey. Love your comments, Colette!
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Speechless, so well put, I’ve linked this on my Facebook page, and am placing a screen shot of the excellent writeup there too.
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Thanks Vahe. Perhaps it’ll get more people to follow my site.
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Kritcht talar, Silva!
You are so right. Our strength keeps growing. We experience it every day – the unprecedented experience at the Vatican, the wonderful ecumenical memorial at the Los Angeles Cathedral last night, our hymns and church leaders being heard all over the world in our own living language, the empowering presence and words of support by church leaders and politicians at every event, our unified attendance, the parliaments of Chile and Czech Republic recognizing the Armenian Genocide yesterday. The deniers’ list is getting smaller, and our soon to be sainted martyrs keep smiling from above. God bless all that fight for peace and justice.
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Yes, Yeran, the more the world officially recognizes the first Genocide of the Century, the more Turkey will portray its contra humanity to the eyes of the world. The colors of their obstinate dishonesty will show brighter next to the colors of truth seekers.
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