Armenian Studies Event at USF Explores Ethics, National Security, Genocide

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
University of South Florida, Holocaust & Genocide Studies Center

The USF Libraries Holocaust & Genocide Studies Center continued their ongoing effort to raise public awareness and encourage the teaching of tolerance with the presentation of the second annual Armenian Studies Symposium on November 4th, 2011. Free and open to the public, attendees filled the Grace Allen Room to capacity, even standing in adjacent rooms to listen in.

Dr. Taner Akcam

Respected Armenian Genocide studies scholar Taner Akçam gave a keynote talk on the Turkish government’s justification for suppressing free speech in the name of national security, a practice with far-reaching implications, from classrooms to contemporary international relations. Akçam‘s talk was followed by a panel discussion featuring USF scholars Edward Kissi, Rachel May, and Steven C. Roach comparing the Turkish situation to the US treatment of Native Americans and it’s long period of slavery, and other genocides around the world throughout history. If you were not able to attend, you can watch a video of the November 4th event here.

The Armenian Studies event was one in a series of public events the USF Holocaust & Genocide Studies Center has hosted with the aim of calling attention to the intolerant behaviors that have led to genocides and crimes against humanity, in hopes of preventing future genocides and hate crimes. USF Holocaust and genocide studies librarian Musa Olaka relates how the Armenian programming fits into the bigger picture: “The Armenian Studies initiative provides resources and inroads for USF faculty and students to engage in critical study of comparative genocide, genocide denial, and the fight against genocidal ideology around the world.”

USF Scholars Edward Kissi, Steven C. Roach, and Rachel May

In addition to print media coverage in the Maddux Report and the Armenian press, the event was reported on by WMNF radio, 88.5. Listen to the in-depth radio report.

Do you want to support education, programming and collections that can help create a better world?

Contact USF to advance these and other efforts: Merrell Dickey (813) 974-1654 mdickey@usf.edu.

SOURCE: University of South Florida, Holocaust & Genocide Studies Program