PRESS RELEASE
Date: May 14, 2008
Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region
122 W. 27th St. Floor 12 New York, NY 10001
Contact: Karine Birazian
Tel: 917-428-1918
ANCA EASTERN REGION DIRECTOR CONTINUES TO
"EDUCATE, MOTIVATE, AND ACTIVATE" STUDENTS
–Thousands of New Jersey High School Students Educated on the
Armenian Genocide
NEW JERSEY- In continuation with the New Jersey State mandate on
genocide education, Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern
Region (ANCA-ER) Executive Director Karine Birazian presented a
series of lectures to The Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest,
New Jersey and Chatham High School in Chatham, New Jersey on the
topic of genocide.
"It is always a true honor to be invited to speak at local high
schools. The impact we can make by educating students on this
important human rights issue is vital to the prevention of the
crime genocide," commented Birazian.
In mid April, the Academy of Holy Angels invited Birazian to be
part of their annual Awareness Day, where this year, the title of
the one-day workshop for students was called "Think Globally, Act
Locally." Students were able to select from a variety of workshops
pertaining to global issues and problems our society faces and ways
to take action. Birazian’s topic entitled "Never Again?" touched
upon genocides that have occurred throughout the 20th century and
the ongoing genocide today in Darfur. Students also gained insight
on how they can get involved and take action.
Jennifer Cucchisi, a social studies teacher at the school
commented: "It is important that every generation learns about
genocide in order to achieve the goal of "never again." Some
students may not want to hear about it, they may turn their heads
at the pictures, but the only way to stop genocides from happening
is to make sure that everyone is educated on the horrors of them.
The pictures and stories, however graphic they may be, are
necessary and they help us to ensure that what happened during
these senseless slaughters is never forgotten."
On May 7, 2008, Birazian also spoke to the students at Chatham High
School at their annual Holocaust Remembrance Program where she
presented on the history of the Armenian Genocide and the current
battle in Congress on trying to pass legislation recognizing this
atrocity. Steve Maher, Social Studies Supervisor for the high
school has worked to coordinate activities revolving around
genocide awareness and remembrance. In the past, the school has
studied the Killing Fields in Cambodia, as well as Darfur, Rwanda,
and the former Yugoslavia. "We seem to have our greatest success
in touching the lives of students when we bring history closer to
their experience, particularly with survivors of the European
Holocaust," commented Maher. Following the lecture, Birazian met
with the activists from the Darfur student group and spoke about additional
ways they can get active on this important issue.
Birazian, who has been lecturing at high schools for close to a
decade, first started lecturing on genocide at the age of 15 to her
classmates at Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, IL. Since
then, Birazian has lectured to thousands, both students and
teachers, on genocide and the importance of becoming active.
Birazian has presented and exhibited at the Illinois and National
Council for the Social Studies, as well as organized and hosted
genocide education workshops for educators.
During her lectures, Birazian touched upon a recent event that took
place at the Springfield Library. Last month, Birazian, ANC of NJ
members, community activists, along with Dr. Seymour Siegler, Ed.D,
Director and Co-Founder of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide
Studies at Brookdale Community College, spoke before the Library
Board regarding the decision by the Library to allow a special
hosting of the film the "Armenian Revolt" followed by a question
and answer session led by Dr. Guenter Lewy, a professor emeritus of
political science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Lewy, who has written several articles questioning the history of
the Armenian Genocide, was invited by the Society of Turkish-
American Architects Engineers and Scientists (MIM).
Birazian and others expressed deep concern that showing the film
and having an Armenian Genocide denialist come and speak at the
library would be detrimental and constitute a form of "hate
speech," pointing to the example that the library would never have
allowed Holocaust deniers come to speak on Holocaust denial at the
library. The members of the Library Board still agreed to host the
event, and responded by indicating that if Holocaust deniers want
to come to present at the library, they would be permitted because
it is freedom of speech.
Birazian stressed to the students that "freedom of speech" can
eventually turn into hate speech and denial of history when pushed
to the limit, and as informed citizens, we must do all we can to
make sure that genocide denial be confronted.
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ANCA ER Director lecturing at Chatham High School
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress