Commentary:
Grandfather’s life inspires advocacy for Armenian Genocide survivors
Grandfather’s life inspires advocacy for Armenian Genocide survivors
Opinion
Mainline Media News
Apr
14, 2021, Updated Apr 15, 2021
14, 2021, Updated Apr 15, 2021
By Steven Keytanjian
Sharing family stories is a tradition in most American homes
around the country. But hearing my grandfather’s childhood recollections came
with a sense of responsibility – as a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, he
taught me at an early age about the importance of overcoming difficult
challenges and the significance of legacy.
around the country. But hearing my grandfather’s childhood recollections came
with a sense of responsibility – as a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, he
taught me at an early age about the importance of overcoming difficult
challenges and the significance of legacy.
My
grandfather, Dr. Charles Nerses Mahjoubian, was born in Konya, in present-day
Turkey, and arrived in Philadelphia by way of Ellis Island in 1923 after
escaping the mass atrocities against Armenians – where 10 of his family members
perished during the inhumane deportations. The atrocities inflicted upon
Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish Empire are, by definition, a genocide,
according to multiple statements by the eminent International Association of
Genocide Scholars. Upon settling in Philadelphia, my grandfather taught himself
English in order to attend West Philadelphia High School, from which he
graduated in 1928. He continued on to Temple University, successfully receiving
his B.A. and D.D.S. from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1934. He
worked in his father’s shoe repair shop throughout his schooling.
Over the years, my grandfather
established a loving family with his wife Dorothy and their children, while
building a flourishing dental practice in Bala Cynwyd. Despite his busy
schedule, he immersed himself into the fabric of the greater Philadelphia
region and was an active citizen in the public life of the community: he served
as President of the Ard-Wood Civic Association, the Main Line Lions Club, Scout
Master, Head Scout Master for the local Boy Scouts Troop, The Main Line
Toastmasters Club, and the Sunday Morning Toastmasters Breakfast Club. He and
my grandmother Dorothy introduced Armenian foods to these groups by hosting
annual picnics in the backyard of their home, welcoming everyone with their
warm hospitality and savory Armenian dishes.
established a loving family with his wife Dorothy and their children, while
building a flourishing dental practice in Bala Cynwyd. Despite his busy
schedule, he immersed himself into the fabric of the greater Philadelphia
region and was an active citizen in the public life of the community: he served
as President of the Ard-Wood Civic Association, the Main Line Lions Club, Scout
Master, Head Scout Master for the local Boy Scouts Troop, The Main Line
Toastmasters Club, and the Sunday Morning Toastmasters Breakfast Club. He and
my grandmother Dorothy introduced Armenian foods to these groups by hosting
annual picnics in the backyard of their home, welcoming everyone with their
warm hospitality and savory Armenian dishes.
My grandfather took his dedication to community a step
further when he was elected to office as a Lower Merion Township Commissioner
from 1958-1962. One of his most cherished acts of civic engagement, however,
was initiating a school dental program for Darby Township’s 1,600 students, who
he examined – without discrimination – from 1936-1946. Giving back to a country
that provided a safe haven, without the fear of being killed for his ethnicity
or religion, was crucial to him.
further when he was elected to office as a Lower Merion Township Commissioner
from 1958-1962. One of his most cherished acts of civic engagement, however,
was initiating a school dental program for Darby Township’s 1,600 students, who
he examined – without discrimination – from 1936-1946. Giving back to a country
that provided a safe haven, without the fear of being killed for his ethnicity
or religion, was crucial to him.
It could have been easy for my grandfather to become
submerged in his new life, reaching the pinnacle of the so-called American
Dream, surrounded by comfort and safety. But the searing pain of the Armenian
Genocide never left him – especially since the Turkish government continued to
deny the veracity of the 1.5 million lives lost between 1915 and 1923, when the
Young Turk party implemented the massacres and deportations. My grandfather
wrote thousands of letters to newspapers, elected officials, and several
presidential administrations, between the 1940s and early 2000s, to bring
awareness to the issue of the Armenian Genocide. His eyewitness testimony remains in the Congressional Record.
submerged in his new life, reaching the pinnacle of the so-called American
Dream, surrounded by comfort and safety. But the searing pain of the Armenian
Genocide never left him – especially since the Turkish government continued to
deny the veracity of the 1.5 million lives lost between 1915 and 1923, when the
Young Turk party implemented the massacres and deportations. My grandfather
wrote thousands of letters to newspapers, elected officials, and several
presidential administrations, between the 1940s and early 2000s, to bring
awareness to the issue of the Armenian Genocide. His eyewitness testimony remains in the Congressional Record.
My grandfather passed away in 2004. I wish he could have
witnessed both chambers of the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly pass resolutions
reaffirming the Armenian Genocide in late 2019. The advocacy efforts of his
generation, when combined with ours, brought to light official recognition a
century in the making. But now the time has come for the Executive Branch to do
the same. President Joe Biden has a documented, 30-year history of
acknowledging the Armenian Genocide as an elected official. As he tries to
restore U.S. credibility in the foreign arena and bring human rights back to
the forefront, an official affirmation of the Armenian Genocide by the
President would certainly align with American values and guiding principles. On
April 24, we ask President Joe Biden to unequivocally affirm the Armenian
Genocide as a genocide – to not only honor the memory of the victims, but to
recognize the contributions that survivors like my grandfather made to America,
a country held so dear in their hearts.
witnessed both chambers of the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly pass resolutions
reaffirming the Armenian Genocide in late 2019. The advocacy efforts of his
generation, when combined with ours, brought to light official recognition a
century in the making. But now the time has come for the Executive Branch to do
the same. President Joe Biden has a documented, 30-year history of
acknowledging the Armenian Genocide as an elected official. As he tries to
restore U.S. credibility in the foreign arena and bring human rights back to
the forefront, an official affirmation of the Armenian Genocide by the
President would certainly align with American values and guiding principles. On
April 24, we ask President Joe Biden to unequivocally affirm the Armenian
Genocide as a genocide – to not only honor the memory of the victims, but to
recognize the contributions that survivors like my grandfather made to America,
a country held so dear in their hearts.
Steven Keytanjian is a resident of King of Prussia and earned
his master’s degree in International Relations & American Government at
Temple University. He is a deacon and parish council member of St. Sahag &
St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Wynnewood, and a leader of the Armenian Assembly
of America in PA.
his master’s degree in International Relations & American Government at
Temple University. He is a deacon and parish council member of St. Sahag &
St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Wynnewood, and a leader of the Armenian Assembly
of America in PA.