ARMENIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION SEEKS TO EDUCATE CAMPUS ON HISTORY AND CULTURE
The Suffolk Journal: Suffolk University
April 16, 2014 Wednesday
by: Matt Bacon
Armenia is a small country that lays just above the northern fringes
of the Middle East in the Caucasus Mountains. Its unique position
in the world, at the crossroads of Iran, Turkey, the Arab world,
and Russia, has resulted in a diverse and vibrant culture.
At Suffolk University, a newly revitalized Armenian Students
Association (ASA; not to be confused with the African Student
Association) aims to bring a piece of that culture to campus. “Our
goal is to connect people with a connection or interest in Armenian
culture in the Suffolk community,” said sophomore and founding member
of the club Lori Yogurtian.
In the past, Suffolk has had sizeable Armenian student populations.
They had often gathered in de facto groups, but by the time Yogurtian
was a freshman the network had “fizzled out.” Yogurtian and a friend,
along with Suffolk photography professor Ken Martin decided to dedicate
themselves to starting an official Armenian club to bring awareness
of the culture to campus. “No one knows about what Armenia is … we
just want to bring the Armenian culture to Suffolk,” said Yogurtian,
a double major in management and marketing.
(Photos by Ken Martin)
Still in the process of getting off the ground, the ASA has not had
any major events on campus. However, they have participated in events
with other local ASA chapters at which Suffolk students are always
welcome. “Next year we’re going to have a lot more organization,”
Yogurtian said, elaborating that the group is planning for an Armenian
culture night on campus next year.
So far, the highlight event for the club has been its year-end
celebrations. “Every semester all of the [local branches] have an
event at a restaurant … it’s like dinner, dancing and music. We turn
the restaurant into a club … we even got kicked out of one place,”
Yogurtian said.
All around, the ASA is “A very chill club … it’s a way to get
involved without too much commitment … a great way to network,
meet new people, make connections, and learn something about Armenian
culture.”
The ASA knows how to have fun, but also takes seriously its status
as representatives of the Armenian culture in America. Armenia has a
long and complex history. With the exception of two years following
WWI and the 23 years since the break-up of the Soviet Union, Armenia
has spent its entire history since the 1230s under the influence of
various foreign occupiers, who usually tended to enact oppressive
policies toward Armenians. During WWI, the occupying Ottoman Turks
carried out a genocide of the Armenian people, which some estimate
killed over a million. This led to a diaspora of the Armenian people,
many of whom are now scattered across the Middle East, Europe, and
the rest of the world.
The ASA not only wishes to be active in spreading Armenian culture,
but awareness of Armenia’s long and oftentimes painful history. “There
is an Armenian genocide memorial near the North End, so every year,
starting last year, we do a candlelit vigil,” Yogurtian said. “Every
year for the Armenian genocide, there are a bunch of different things
that people try to do to raise awareness. A lot of times, the events
only attract Armenians. We want to reach out to non-Armenians, and
people who don’t know about it.” The group is planning a bigger event
for next year, which marks the 100th anniversary of the genocide.
A testament to how controversial the Armenian genocide is lies right
here at Suffolk. One of this year’s commencement speakers for the
Suffolk University Law School is Soviet-born but naturalized American
citizen Abraham Foxman. Foxman is a holocaust survivor and national
director of the Anti-Defamation League, an international Jewish NGO,
whose goal is to “fight anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry,
defend democratic ideals and protect civil rights for all.”
In 2007, Foxman came under fire for comments he made regarding
a resolution passed by U.S. Congress that recognized the Armenian
genocide. “I don’t think congressional action will help reconcile the
issue. The resolution takes a position; it comes to a judgment,” said
Foxman in a statement issued to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Foxman
met a firestorm of public opinion and was labeled a denier of the
genocide.
Foxman defended his statement to The Boston Globe, claiming
“that the consequences of [the Ottoman government’s] actions
were indeed tantamount to genocide,” but that the resolution “is
a counterproductive diversion and will not foster reconciliation
between Turks and Armenians.”
Regardless, Foxman’s inclusion in Suffolk Law’s commencement ceremony
has sparked controversy. “He has outspokenly opposed recognition of the
genocide in the U.S. He’s also opposing [Project51, the controversial
Muslim community center near Ground Zero], and is for racial profiling
of all Muslims and Muslim-Americans,” Yogurtian said.
The ASA picked up on a Change.org petition addressed to President
McCarthy, demanding Foxman’s removal as a commencement speaker and
the abandonment of plans to award him an honorary Juris Doctorate.
Yogurtian and the other ASA members signed and circulated the petition,
helping it reach its goal of 500 signatures. As of Tuesday night,
the petition had 513 signatures.
The ASA welcomes all students, Armenian or not, to join the club.
Balancing fun with education, awareness, and activism about Armenia’s
unique culture and displaced people, the group is hoping to expand
its presence on campus and is looking towards a bright future.