Reparations. Noun. The Webster Dictionary definition reads as follows: “a) the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury, b) something done or given as amends or satisfaction, c) the payment of damages.” I learned the word when I was a child in AYF. Perhaps I didn’t know the exact definition at the time; what I did know is that Turkey had done something very bad to us that led to many of us dying, which is how we ended up in America. As I got older, I learned more about how we were treated as outsiders, required to pay elevated taxes and subjected to dress codes, all on the basis of our identity. I learned about how Turkish soldiers forcefully removed us from our land, tore our families apart, and raped and converted our women. Turkey had taken away so much from us and through their denial, they silenced survivors and continued to reap the benefits of our oppression. Our people didn’t deserve to die. They deserved to be whole––to have their land, their families and their homes in one piece. They still deserve justice.
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This resonates deeply. Thank you!
Thank you Kohar for this great article. It made me proud, sad, and hopeful while I read. Proud of you and your courage to speak, sad because of where our society is and is not, and hopeful because for the first time in a long time, I see a movement that is strong, motivated, energized and led by people like you. I accept your invitation – I am ready to learn to listen better, to hear better and to actively contribute.
Thank you for your well written story. I am 91 years of age, my mother is a survivor of the Genocide, I was born in Philadelphia, and my parents moved to Fresno, California when I was a teenager. First time I lived with such prejudice. (Was not surprised to learn where Rep. Nunes came from.). I do hope this movement succeeds.
Wonderful, powerful article and so elated to see it in this publication. You give me hope.
Thank you Kohar for this powerful article. I don’t think there’s anyone more perfect to talk about injustice than you. Carrying the pain of 3 major injustices in you, you are the perfect ambassador to bring understanding and healing to our ailing world.
Excellent article – thanks for writing (and publishing),
from a Massachusetts Kharpertzi, Cesareatzi, Sepastiatzi, and long-time senior staff member at the National Museum of the American Indian
Go Kohar go. I admire you. May God give wisdom and courage in your life. ✌️
Very commendable and erudite article.
Keep up your good work and struggle against ignorant prejudice and racism.
I have to commend your publication and its’ writers for the quality material they are producing.
The Armenian Weekly truly stands out when it comes to style, content and scope of its’ articles.
Keep up your good work!
I agree with you. We cannot have true justice until reparations are made!
Reparations? Do you know you are the one that will pay to people who you have done nothing wrong? What about reparations to white people who freed the slaves? Some lost their lives.
You have no idea how much I love this article. This is such a powerful testimony. I only know a few Armenians who think the way I do. Little by little I think our people are waking up to see the intersectionality of our story with others. You embody so much that is wonderful. Don’t give up. Stay woke and keep up the good…no great and necessary work.
Dear Kohar,
My daughter sent me your article. I love and admire your publication. With every single message, by listening and educating ourselves more and more, I hope we can all overcome the racism that it causing so much pain to the families all over the world.
Thank you dear for teaching me another lesson, even though I am much older then you.
Strange Fruit
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the roots
Black bodies swingin’ in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias sweet and fresh
And the sudden smell of burning flesh
Here is the fruit
For the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather
For the wind to suck
For the sun to rot
For the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop
100 percent! Recognition, Restitution,Reparations for Maafa! With you from Texas!
You represent what you felt …
from many sites black and Armenian
Both suffered oppression and still do …
Continue your task and you will win …
Your suffering articles let many hear and apply …
Sylva~MD~POETRY
I like everyone to read this painful but true article from Kohar Avakian:
Kohar you represent what you felt …
From both sites of your genes black and Armenian
Both suffered oppression and still do …
Continue your task and you will win …
Your hearty articles let many feel, read, hear
And the end they will feel and apply…unknowingly
Thru coming years will be part of their blood…
Sylva~MD~Poetry
Dear Kohar, You’ve written a powerful argument for the Armenian American community to see the experience of other groups as part of the same fabric of oppression our ancestors experienced. It is especially incumbent on us to empathize with and support the claims of those groups.
Wonderful article Ms. Avakian.
As a Greek/Armenian, I loved your article and fully support your views.
Thank you for your work and your words.