How it all began: The Ottoman
Turks couldn’t stand that we were westernized. We had professionals, businessmen, doctors,
lawyers, artists, poets, skillful craftsmen and more. In addition to this, In
301 A.D. Armenians adopted Christianity as a state religion, which made us the
first Christian nation in the world. But quickly this became a problem to the extreme
Islamic Turks; they knew Christian-Armenians to be infidels or non-believers.
The Ottoman Turks began leading anti-Armenian demonstrations, which ultimately
led to the mass killings known as the Armenian Genocide.
Today marks the 97th anniversary of
the massacre of the Armenian people at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. The
controversy around this day is due to the fact that the Turkish government
denies that a genocide ever took place. Can you imagine? 1.5 million of my
people were massacred. Our land? Taken. Our woman? Raped. Our children? Forced
to become Muslims.
As an Armenian who was born and
raised in the United States, I am pleased to know how to write and read in
Armenian. I am honored to know that my motherland, Armenia, still exists
despite the Ottoman Turks ambition to wipe it off the map. I am grateful that
Armenian traditions, foods, and people surround me. And lastly, I am proud of
who I am; I am an Armenian.
