Community Leaders Discuss ‘The Road Ahead’ for Genocide Recognition

That remark set off a back-and-forth that saw Hamparian call Mensoian’s assertion a “false choice” between pushing for recognition and focusing on other issues. Mouradian and Mamigonian both worked to highlight the need for justice both in academia and in the reparations movement.

To exit the Genocide recognition movement, Mamigonian noted, would mean “a void that will readily and eagerly be filled” by the Turkish government’s version of history.

When it came to the geopolitical issues that surrounded the Armenian Genocide, the panel shared mostly the same views. The group was in agreement that opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey would likely have adverse effects for Armenia, and that discussion of reparations to Armenia was not an issue that should be pushed aside — despite the fact that the issue may be driving Turkey to avoid recognizing the Genocide.

Mouradian stressed that the notion of whether such aims are “realistic” gets in the way of justice, saying that the arguments that modern day Turks aren’t to blame for the Genocide is similar to that of the United States’ history of slavery.

“I came to this country a few years ago. Am I responsible for slavery or the destruction of Native Americans? No. Am I benefiting from the consequences and the results? Yes, I am. Every single Turkish person, one way or the other, is benefiting from the consequences of the Armenian Genocide.”

“There is violence in the status quo,” Mouradian added. “When people say ‘Be realistic,’ they are essentially saying, ‘Do what we want you to do.’”

Mamigonian concluded by examining the talk of a “politically-powerful” Armenian-American community and a weak Turkish equivalent he says is put forward often in Turkish American groups.

“I think recognition for Armenia will be a source of tremendous moral satisfaction, I don’t know that it’s going to make Armenia any stronger or any safer,” Mamigonian said. “It will probably lead to better relations between the two countries. But overnight is it going to transform Armenia into having a less corrupt government or an abundance of natural resources and greater strategic importance? I don’t know about that.”

At the beginning of the evening, YP Boston Chairwoman Nicole Meregian gave opening remarks. She also noted state Rep. Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown) was in attendance. Chris Mensoian of AGBU YP Boston and Jirayr Beugekian of the ARF Sardarabad Gomideh served as event chairs.

AYF Great Boston Nejdeh chapter chairman, Stepanos Keshishian, said: “Personally, I thought it was a great initiative to bring together Armenians of different sub-communities for a discussion. Although we may have differing political beliefs or ideologies, the important thing is that we all work for the health of our nation and for the well-being and comfort of all our brothers and sisters around the world. As Aram [Hamparian] mentioned, it will come in small accomplishments aimed at ensuring justice. Dialogue aimed at achieving these successes is, in itself, a step in the right direction. That’s not to say that we should all give up our individual beliefs and adapt to a centralized ideology. The point is that we each, as individuals or as groups, have the ability to make accomplishments, and dialogue will certainly not hurt.”

An audio recording of the symposium will be available at www.mirrorspectator.com.

(Some material from the AGBU was used in this story.)