It is very important that ALL Armenians understand that the matter of endorsing the Armenian Genocide or not, is NOT in the power of the President of the United States. If you want to lay blame for the repeated and consistent refusal to acknowledge the Genocide find out who is running the Foreign Policy of this country, and they query every senator or representative on their decision. You will find ambiguity and double talk. even from the most trustworthy individuals. Dr. Power believes intensely in the facts of the Genocide. There is no question about that. President Obama asserted his support when he was Senator. However, when he became President, he was “gagged” by powers such as the Turkish and Israeli lobbies. The latter do not speak for all Israelis nor for the majority of Jewish Americans. There is great division. But look to the power structure in Israel to determine what the American president is permitted to say or not say! The Turkish lobby has a strangle hold on Foreign and Military policy; and considerable sway in the CIA.
How many Armenian Senators or Representatives, or advisors do you know of in Federal or State governments; or in journalism or own publishing companies, or radio stations or TV stations? If WE don’t get out in the mainstream we won’t be able to move to a position of power where we can assert our ideas about the Genocide or any other Armenian issue. We have our writers, movie makers, and a handful of non-Armenian advocates to thank for the small presence We have in mainstream culture. Therein lies the problem. Ask any average Armenian how many books on Armenia are in their household, or to name three Armenian writers, composers, historians, clergy; or famous Armenians. WE don’t know our own history and culture as well as we should and could. We can do better. And when we do the rest of the world will know and care.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Terry George and ensemble for making the movie, The Promise. Sure is was Krikorian’s money, but the genius and the courage (don’t forget the entire case and crew were under enormous secrecy before, during and after making the film; due to the obvious dangers if Turkish deniers found out about it. Be assured that I am taking as much blame as anyone. I do my small part by teaching the Armenian genocide in my college Humanities course and have raise serious awareness on the part of a few of my students who are now interested in pursuing Genocide Studies. God Bless us all, and may we move forward as sisters and brothers in support of Armenia and Armenians everywhere. Thank you.

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