13 schools in Mass. engage in Armenian Genocide education

PanARMENIAN.Net - In what was a phenomenal approach to the Armenian Genocide Centennial this year, 13 schools called upon the Armenian Genocide Education Committee of Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts, U.S., to offer presentations to its students.

The number included nine high schools, two colleges, and two middle schools. In two cases, there was a return visit to stage a panel discussion with representatives from other beleaguered countries, the Armenian Weekly reports.

In addition to the schools, committee members scoured the communities to visit a number of afternoon and evening service clubs, retirement centers, and libraries.

Two television documentaries were filmed and six libraries displayed photography exhibits commemorating the centennial. The images portray vibrant country life as it remains today, and not disturbing graphic images of 1915.

Of the 13 schools engaged, 6 of them came aboard for the first time, presumably due to the Centennial. All of them invited return visits over the next school year.

Members agreed that although 100 years have passed, education should be an ongoing curriculum that is provided so long as denial is being fostered in our midst.

“Over the last year, we have seen a tremendous awareness of the Armenian Genocide being raised by the educational community,” said Dro Kanayan, committee chairman. “Students are taking a keen interest in understanding what happened and where our people have come since then. They wonder about its effect upon our culture and how to prevent it from reoccurring in today’s society.”

In order to succeed in our endeavor, we need the continued support of the non-Armenian community, Kanayan added.

In each case, Armenian children in those communities helped to set up the display and a photo opportunity for local papers.

The Genocide Education Committee was formed seven years ago in response to the State Department’s ordinance on increased genocide education in public schools. Since then, members have taken the initiative to contact schools and present discussions. In each case the results have proven beneficial.

The initiative has since been extended to libraries, civic organizations, and housing projects—wherever the desire indicates.

“New schools are constantly being added,” said Kanayan, who remains a driving force in the endeavor. “Our history must never be forgotten. The Centennial initiated some avid response this year which, we hope, will continue to accelerate in the years to come.”