History is relevant
I am disturbed and offended by Kathryn Tuell’s recent letter in which she infers Armenians are whining, ungrateful Americans. As a first generation Armenian American and proud daughter of a genocide survivor, I can assure everyone that Armenians don’t “whine” about genocide. We seek recognition of the historical truth of man’s inhumanity to man and have never sought monetary compensation from America for atrocities committed by Ottoman Turks in 1915.
No country should be held hostage (as has America by Turkey) for choosing to speak the truth. Past events affect the present, and if not dealt with, can jeopardize the future. History denied is history repeated, as presently proven with ISIS and the Syrians. The words of Hitler resonate, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”
Ms. Tuell also implies that only American history is relevant because America is our “homeland.” Is world history no longer important? What would global response be with denial of the Holocaust? After all, it wasn’t on American soil, either.
Armenians will never forget who they are, the sacrifices their people have made and the roots from where they’ve come. Sadly, Ms. Tuell has chosen to forget hers.
Clarice Krikorian, Fresno
This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 8:43 AM with the headline "History is relevant."