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The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 11; March 22, 2008
AYF Section:
1. AYF Members Go to Washington
2. Alumni Spotlight: Jack Papazian
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1. AYF Members Go to Washington
>From March 12-14, ANCA activists from across the country made their way out
to Washington, D.C., to call on Congress to recognize the Armenian genocide
and take action to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur. The concerted
lobbying effort was part of the ANCA and Genocide Intervention Network’s
second annual Grassroots Capitol Campaign.
Participants in the campaign flooded the halls of Capitol Hill and called on
members of Congress to end the cycle of genocide by passing the Armenian
Genocide Resolution and funding peacekeepers in the Darfur region of Sudan.
As in years past, the number of young people taking part in the Capitol
Campaign was quite significant. AYF members from New York, Philadelphia, New
Jersey, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Washington and Arizona all made
there presence felt throughout the three days, sending the message to our
elected officials that the next generation of Armenian-Americans will not
rest until the scourge of genocide is eradicated.
For many of the youth involved, this was the first time they had visited
Capitol Hill and met with elected officials. For example, Zohrab Piranian of
the New York "Hyortik" AYF Chapter had never lobbied before and long felt
that such activities were not for him. However, at the urging of his fellow
AYF members, he came out to D.C. and got the chance to see first-hand what
ANCA advocacy was all about.
Others such as Shant Hagopian of the San Francisco "Rosdom" Chapter and
Nazareth Markarian of the New York "Hortik" Chapter had prior advocacy
experience through their participation in the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship
Program. Both felt that the program had given them the proper preparation to
lend a hand in the advocacy campaign and they came to D.C. to do just that.
Markarian adds that he also came "to meet like-minded Armenian advocates who
are willing to put in the work and effort to make sure that the goals of the
Armenian community in America are attained."
Having these youth join other activists of various ages made the campaign
evermore powerful. Congressional officials and staffers took note of the
fact that so many young people were passionate about the campaign and
determined to put an end to the cycle of genocide. This display of youth
involvement demonstrated that the issue of recognizing the Armenian genocide
and preventing future genocides would not go away anytime soon.
Furthermore, it was the younger activists who were especially adamant about
making the connections between the Armenian genocide and the current
atrocities in Darfur. "The Armenian community shares a common bond with all
those who have suffered in the past, but also with the Darfurians today,"
said Arin Vartanian of the New Jersey "Arsen" Chapter. "Our fight for
recognition is not limited to the past but also the present and future."
During his remarks at a Capitol Hill reception for participants, Rep. James
McGovern (D-Mass.) made it a point to highlight the importance of seeing so
many youth involved in the campaign against genocide. "A lot of young
people, in particular, have been out on the forefront which is really
inspiring to me because it gives me hope for the future," he said.
Despite having to take off time from work and school to come to D.C. in the
middle of week, the youth involved in the advocacy campaign found it to be a
truly rewarding experience. "Working with other young activists to make a
difference was the greatest experience of all," explains Vartanian. "I hope
our efforts and voices are heard and, if not, I will be ready to lobby again
next year."
***
1. Zohrab Piranian (New York "Hyortik"): "If you don’t raise your voice, no
one is going to listen to you."
2. Arousiag Markarian (New York "Hyortik"): "We can’t expect others to fight
our battle. Each one of us needs to take the reigns and lobby for the issues
that are important for us as Armenian-Americans."
3. Arin Vartanian (New Jersey "Arsen"): "I feel it is essential for young
people to get involved not only in Armenian genocide activism, but activism
in general. We all have a voice and, in order for our voices to be heard and
taken seriously, our younger generation needs to be active politically."
4. Shant Hagopian (San Francisco "Rosdom"): "We are the next generation and
if young people do not get involved in politics they will not effect change
and get the policies that we need. There is no reason to be timid, there is
no reason to be shy."
5. Nazareth Markarian (New York "Hyortik"): "It looked good on paper but I
wanted to come out here and see what lobbying was like in real life, and,
indeed, I’ve been very pleased with the outcome."
6. Ishkhan Boghossian (Pasadena "Nigol Touman"): "It’s extremely important
for other youth to have the opportunity to experience what we have
experienced this past couple of days. The advocacy days give you a clearer
vision of what it takes to become a successful lobbyist for a righteous
cause."
7. Salpi Demirjian (Pheonix "Kedashen"): "Please get involved! This is an
experience worth your while. You get to meet so many new and diverse people
who are all working for the same cause."
8. Mato Senekeremian (San Francisco "Rosdom"): "It’s the best feeling to be
able to talk to political leaders directly and be a part of something that
will hopefully help the Armenian people."
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2. Alumni Spotlight: Jack Papazian
As Hratch Dasnabedian once famously explained, there are certain
characteristics that personify an ARF member, a certain moral and ethical
standard which is not written down but rather passed down from the earliest
experiences of the organization and its key figures.
The same has been true for the AYF. With General Karekin Njdeh’s bravery,
sacrifice and commitment serving as the founding example for the AYF to
follow, generations of Armenian youth have understood that to be true to the
organization requires carrying oneself in line with the characteristics
passed down by our forbearers.
In many respects, Jack Papazian embodies this legacy. From the moment we met
for an interview, he demonstrated a sincerity and passion for the Armenian
community that was unmistakable. Rather than talk about himself or what he
has accomplished, he preferred to discuss the origins of the AYF and the
"founding fathers" who gave it life. Instead of boasting about his many
contributions, he emphasized all that he has gained from being involved with
the organization.
As someone with a long history of involvement in the Philadelphia community,
Papazian has played a pioneering role in that community’s development. After
initially joining the AYF in 1955, mainly to play basketball, he soon began
attending senior-level meetings and became more active. He went on to hold
numerous executive positions in the Philadelphia chapter and directed
various educational and athletic committees. Aside from a two-year service
in the Army and going away for college, Papazian fully devoted himself to
AYF activity.
Looking back, he remembers how in 1967, following the general political
awakening of Armenians on the 50th anniversary of the genocide, the AYF in
Philadelphia sponsored a seminar at Temple University where New York Times
articles documenting the horrors of 1915 were presented to the audience.
Soon after, other chapters conducted similar research and held educational
events where such evidence was presented for the first time.
He also recalls memories of the early AYF educational Blue Books, learning
at a young age how to organize successful functions, and traveling to
distant communities for Olympics and other AYF activities. Even after
graduating from the AYF, Papazian remain involved with the local
Philadelphia juniors and revitalized their presence at gatherings such as
Junior Olympics. For his longstanding contributions, Papazian was bestowed
the prestigious title of AYF Olympic King.
Whether discussing his subsequent professional career, involvement in the
church or continuing work with Armenian youth, Papazian always expresses
gratitude to the AYF for providing him an avenue to develop valuable skills
and grow as an Armenian.
"The organization and people working with each other was a very rewarding
experience for me," Papazian explains. "The AYF enabled me to see more of
the Armenian panorama, whether it be in this country, overseas or in
history. It just opened my eyes to being an Armenian."
With his wife also being a former AYF member, his children being actively
involved, and his grandchildren on the road to following in their footsteps,
Papazian sums up his AYF experience by saying, "It’s been my family … it’s
a family."
For the many people who have been inspired by Papazian’s enthusiastic
involvement in the Armenian community, he is surely a shining example of
what the AYF stands for. His humble devotion will hopefully set a precedent
for future generations to emulate.