California Courier Online, September 8, 2005
1 – Commentary
Threatened by Legal Action, TIME
Apologizes for Offending Armenians
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The Califorrnia Courier
2 – AMAA Awards Scholarships
To Needy and Deserving Students
3- Lecture About Archaeological Discoveries
In Armenia Scheduled in Glendale, Sept. 21
4 – TCA-Arshag Dickranian School’s
New Wing is Ready for Occupancy
5 – Kouyoumdjian’s Genocide Script
Among Finalists for Elly Award
6 – Two-Year Study of Armenian Americans
Shows Demographics Are Changing
7 – Ararat Home Development of
Rockhaven Property Put on Hold
8 – Harvest Gallery
Presents Zareh
Exhibition, Sept. 9-27
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1 – Commentary
Threatened by Legal Action, TIME
Apologizes for Offending Armenians
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Six weeks ago, the Switzerland-Armenia Association (SAA) sent a letter of
protest to TIME magazine expressing its “shock and disappointment” that
TIME included in its European Edition (June 6, 2005 issue), as a paid ad, a
Turkish DVD that denied the Armenian Genocide.
As the denial of the Armenian Genocide is a criminal offense under Swiss
laws, the SAA threatened TIME with legal action, unless the magazine took
nine corrective steps ranging from publishing a formal apology to
disseminating, at TIME’s expense, a factual DVD on the Armenian Genocide,
in the same seven languages as the Turkish DVD.
James Kelly, the Managing Editor of TIME, responded last week to SAA’s
letter by stating: “We regret distributing the [Turkish] DVD as part of
TIME’s European edition and are very sorry for the offense it has
caused. The so-called ‘documentary’ portion of the DVD presents a one-sided
view of history that does not meet our standards for fairness and accuracy,
and we would not have distributed it had we been aware of its content.
Unfortunately the DVD was not adequately reviewed by anyone at TIME because
it was believed to be a benign promotion piece. I can assure you that we
have changed our review process and will be much more vigilant in the
future. We apologize to the Armenian community, and to our readers.”
This is a fine letter that makes several very important points:
— It expresses regret three times in the space of a few short lines;
— It challenges the credibility of the Turkish DVD by referring to it as a
“so-called ‘documentary'” that is “one-sided” and not meeting TIME’s
“standards for fairness and accuracy”;
— It acknowledges that TIME would not have distributed the Turkish DVD had
it been “aware of its content”;
— It accepts TIME’s negligence by admitting that the DVD “was not
adequately reviewed by anyone at TIME”;
— It pledges to be “much more vigilant,” should the Turks attempt a
similar ploy in the future.
Clearly, this letter is an improvement over TIME’s initial wholly
inadequate reaction to Armenian complaints. James Geary, the editor of TIME
Europe, had callously responded that the magazine was “not
endorsing any political organization or cause.” Mr. Kelly’s letter, on the
other hand, reinforces the e-mail Norman Pearlstine, the Editor-in-Chief of
TIME, sent to a reader admitting that the contents of the DVD were
“different from what we had been led to believe.” In other words, Mr.
Pearlstine acknowledged that TIME was tricked by the Turks.
Despite Mr. Kelly’s more understanding letter that included profuse
apologies, the most critical element is still missing from his response to
the Switzerland-Armenia Association. He expresses regret for TIME’s
dissemination of the offensive DVD; acknowledges that the Turkish DVD was
one-sided, unfair and inaccurate; admits that the magazine was negligent in
not reviewing the DVD; and accepts that the DVD should not have been
distributed by TIME.
Acknowledging its error and apologizing for it does not, however, go far
enough in redressing the harm done to the psyche of the survivors of the
Armenian Genocide. The Turkish DVD also tarnished the memory of the
Armenian martyrs by casting doubt on the truthfulness of their agonizing
eyewitness accounts.
Mr. Kelly and his superiors at TIME now have an obligation to undo the
damage they have caused by their negligence. They need to take the nine
steps suggested by the SAA. The least TIME could do is agree to
disseminate free of charge, to the same 500,000 readers that received the
Turkish DVD, a new DVD that accurately portrays the facts of the Armenian
Genocide. Otherwise, TIME’s admission of mistakes and
expression of regrets remain simply empty words devoid of any meaning and
sincerity. It is too easy for TIME executives to pocket the one million
dollars for circulating the Turkish hit piece and then simply
tell the Armenians, “we apologize.” A true apology has to be accompanied by
concrete steps that include making amends to the aggrieved party — the
Armenians.
Until then, Armenians worldwide should continue their boycott of TIME
magazine and resort to all possible legal measures accorded to them under
European genocide denial laws to seek adequate redress. Kind words alone do
not compensate for the damage caused by TIME’s negligent, insensitive and
offensive act.
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2 – AMAA Awards Scholarships
To Needy and Deserving Students
PARAMUS, NJ – The Chairman of the Armenian Missionary Association of
America’s Scholarship Committee, Robert Hekemian, Jr., just recently
reported the awarding of $130,000 in direct scholarship grants to college
and university students for the 2005-06 academic year.
This year, 84 students applied and, upon verification of need and academic
qualifications, 70 students were awarded scholarships. In addition,
$10,000.00 was awarded to university students in Armenia and $230,000 has
been provided to various institutions of higher learning and charitable
organizations for distribution as scholarship grants to needy qualified
Armenian university students, including Haigazian University of Beirut,
Lebanon.
The Armenian Missionary Association of America created its scholarship
program in the mid 1970’s to help needy and promising undergraduate
students achieve their goals in education. This program has substantially
grown since then and successfully provides support for a young generation
of Armenian Americans in their college needs. Since its inception the
Program has provided over $3 million in grants and loans to more than 3,500
students in the United States and Canada.
The need for scholarship aid is crucial especially now. The rising cost of
education in the United States is a profound concern for many undergraduate
students who desire to enroll in college and obtain a higher degree of
education, thus securing their future in the competitive job marketplace.
Most of these potential students work hard throughout their years of high
school study and are deserving of further success in their lives, but are
sometimes unable to continue their education because of financial reasons.
Uncertain economic conditions and higher unemployment rates, force many
parents to look for other sources of support for the
education of their children – high-rate loans and limited government
programs, for which many families do not qualify.
The scholarship assistance provided by AMAA has been much appreciated. Many
of the previous recipients have come forward and supported this program by
establishing endowment funds or making direct contributions. One such
recipient, a successful pharmacist now, appreciated the program and
recently established two scholarship endowment funds to give the same
opportunity to others. Another recipient, who is now the president of a
publicly traded NASDAQ company, wrote recently: “I am very grateful for
the generosity and patience that the AMAA has extended me in the past”. In
her letter, she also recognized the importance of supporting the program
through her own contribution. Still, there is a tremendous need for our
members, friends and our previous scholarship recipients to remember the
opportunities this program has provided them in the past and
meaningfully contribute to it.
“The scholarship that you have given me really helps. It helps not only
financially, by my being able to stay in the school, but gives me more
confidence academically,” wrote one of this year’s recipients. The
scholarships awarded to young prospective students are not simply checks
provided to their institutions of higher learning, but provide the moral
support of the Association that carries on with the young students
throughout the years of their study and in their future careers. It is this
support that the Scholarship Committee feels needs to be in place in order
to prepare the bright future for young Armenian Americans.
The scholarships, which were granted this year, were awarded from 70 AMAA
endowment funds established for this purpose.
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3 – Lecture About Archaeological Discoveries
In Armenia Scheduled in Glendale, Sept. 21
GLENDALE – Professor Adam T. Smith of the University of Chicago will give a
special presentation Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Glendale Public Library
Auditorium on “The Rise of Civilization in the Armenian Highland: The Gift
of Semiramis?”
The program is being presented as part of Project Discovery’s educational
mission.
There is no admission charge.
During the 15th century B.C., the societies living in the mountains and
plains of what is today Armenia underwent a convulsive transformation.
Peoples that for centuries had lived in socially stratified, predominantly
mobile, pastoral communities rather suddenly found themselves members of
complex, settled territorial polities complete with rigid social
hierarchies and developed political institutions cloistered within
stone-walled fortresses. How could such radical transformation in the way
people lived come about? Traditional archaeological theories describe the
emergence of complexity in the region as a result of Assyrian military
incursions-a gift of Semiramis. Yet complex societies emerged in the
Armenian Highlands long before the Assyrians turned their gaze to the
north. And they emerged with astonishing rapidity following more than half
a millennia of mobile lifeways centered on the practices of stock breeding.
Excavations from 2000 to 2005 at the fortress of Gegharot, located in the
Tsaghkahovit Plain of central Armenia, have provided dramatic new clues
about the beginnings of social complexity in the region. Through a
“biography” of a single trench at Gegharot fortress, Dr. Smith will not
only discuss the most recent results of his research, but will also lead
the audience through the process of archaeological interpretation that
coaxes dramatic pictures of ancient life from artifacts.
Light refreshments will be served following the presentation.
Since space for the lecture is limited, it is suggested that seats be
reserved by calling (toll free 1-866-393-6565).
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4 – TCA-Arshag Dickranian School’s
New Wing is Ready for Occupancy
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – The TCA-Arshag Dickranian School Board of Trustees last
week announced the successful completion of its campus expansion project.
The overall additions and alteration took three years to finish, and were
done in three phases without hindering the school’s curricular activities.
Construction work on the subterranean parking and the new playground
facilities started and finished during the June-August 2003 three-month
summer vacation. Then, as the new wing was still on the rise, the workers
concentrated on the additions and alterations on the existing building
during the following summer recess. Finally, no effort was spared to
complete the new wing and acquire its occupancy permit by this fall, which
coincides with the 25th anniversary of the school.
The new wing encloses the plush Walter and Laurel Karabian Hall at the
entire ground level; the terrace linking the two buildings on the mezzanine
level; and the upper grade classrooms, labs, computer room, conference room
and teachers’ room on the second level.
Another unique feature of the new wing is the solar panel system covering
the entire roof, which was set up by taking advantage of the incentive
rebate program by the State of California.
Needless to say, the price tag for the timely completion of this vital
undertaking was quite high, and all support from the community is still
needed to ease such impending burden.
The generosity of major benefactors, namely: Mrs. Eleanor Dickranian, Mr.
and Mrs. Walter Karabian, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Norian, Drs. Petros and Karine
Taglyan, Drs. Noubar and Dickranouhi Mkhsi-Gevorkian, set the pace of this
project, the Trustees noted.
They added their thanks to all the supporters and stewards who helped make
this venture possible and endowed Arshag Dickranian School with all the
amenities of a model learning institution.
Send tax deductible donations to: TCA-Arshag Dickranian School, 1200 N.
Cahuenga Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038
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5 – Kouyoumdjian’s Genocide Script
Among Finalists for Elly Award
SACRAMENTO – Aram Kouyoumdjian’s “The Delicate Lines” was named among the
nominees for Best Original Script as the Sacramento Area Regional Theater
Alliance recently announced the nominations of its annual Elly Awards.
“Protest,” a shorter solo performance work by Kouyoumdjian, won a Best
Actor nomination for J.D. Rudometkin.
“The Delicate Lines” follows the story of an Armenian woman in the
aftermath of the Genocide as she struggles with her poet brother’s descent
into madness and with her conflicted love for his best friend. Its
companion piece, “Protest,” is a partly-autobiographical work constructed
around a demonstration against Turkish denials of the Genocide.
“It is immensely satisfying to see plays about the Genocide win such
recognition within the theater community,” Kouyoumdjian said.
“The Delicate Lines” received its world premiere this April at California
Stage in Sacramento, where it played to capacity crowds before moving to
similar sold-out performances in San Francisco and Los Angeles. “Protest”
is currently under consideration for production by the Finborough Theatre
in London this fall.
The nomination is Kouyoumdjian’s second consecutive citation in the
playwriting category. He won the Best Original Script award last year for
“The Farewells.” He has an additional Elly for directing “Three Hotels.”
Rudometkin is a repeat nominee as well, having previously been short-listed
as Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Caryl Churchill, “Far
Away,”also directed by Kouyoumdjian.
Kouyoumdjian, an associate member of the Dramatists Guild, is currently
collaborating on the script of “Little Armenia,” which has been
commissioned by the Fountain Theatre and is slated for production early
next year.
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6 – Two-Year Study of Armenian Americans
Shows Demographics Are Changing
By Tania Chatila, News-Press and Leader
GLENDALE — Armenian Americans, many of whom originate from Lebanon, Iraq,
Russia and other countries, are linked by a common denominator of Armenian
traditions.
But as Armenian Americans in the United States struggle to hold onto these
traditions, a new study has found the demographic is changing — Armenian
youth are not attending church services regularly, Armenian Americans trust
American politicians more than those of their own ethnicity and while
Armenians take interest in the general welfare of Armenia, a majority would
rather stay in the United States than move back.
The 200-page study, conducted by Garbis Der Yeghiayan, founding president
of Mashdots College in Glendale, attempts to define the structure of the
Armenian community in the United States, and along with religion, touches
on topics such as family, education, politics and Sept. 11.
“It’s about the Armenian-American community coast to coast,” Der Yeghiayan
said. “It’s about where we are today and what are the prospects of the
Armenian community in America.”
The study, which took about two years to complete, bases its findings on a
questionnaire sent to 8,000 Armenian Americans from 22 states, of which
3,000 responded. Der Yeghiayan also did a study in 1991 focusing on
Armenian American youth.
And of the key findings, the study shows that while Armenian Americans are
very attached to their traditions and values, the younger generations are
struggling with assimilation and are showing less interest in attending
regular Armenian church services.
“They have not changed drastically from where they come from,” Der
Yeghiayan said of the demographic. “They continue to value tradition.”
But as new generations are growing, they are also changing, and dealing
with the internal and external conflicts of pleasing their parents and
fitting in, he said.
“They have parallel obligations,” Der Yeghiayan said. “One, to their
traditions as members of the Armenian community. But they also want to be
recognized as part of the general society.”
And this could in part explain the drop in Armenian church attendance by
youth, something the Armenian American community should be concerned about,
Der Yeghiayan said.
Only 1% of Armenian American youth are attending Armenian church services
every Sunday, a significant downtrend since the 12% rate found in 1991,
according to the study.
“Armenians for centuries have been supportive of their churches,” he said.
“But we have to revise and modernize our strategies and see what the needs
are.”
If Armenian churches do not adjust their services to accommodate younger
generations, Armenian American youth could lose their identities, he said.
“I think the church has realized that it needs to change with the times to
be able to accommodate the youth,” said Ani Asatryan, president of the Cal
State Northridge Armenian Students Assn. and a Glendale resident. “That’s
not to say that they’re not involved. It’s a larger percentage that is
surely and slowly becoming more involved.”
Among the other findings, 47% of Armenian Americans provide financial
assistance to relatives and friends in Armenia; 67% of the demographic
rated Armenian political leaders as mediocre or poor; 33% feel religion in
life is not important; 83% say the American government has more of an
obligation to recognize the Armenian Genocide and 65% feel their
relationship with the Latino community needs improvement.
“It’s a wake up call,” said Der Yeghiayan of the study. “We have to compare
ourselves with ourselves — where we were 25 years ago, where we are today
and where we will be in the future.”
The study provides insight into a relatively new culture in the United
States, Asatryan said.
“Considering the amount of Armenians, especially in Glendale where the
population of Armenian Americans is so high and so concentrated, to have a
study like this out provides the community with an understanding of who we
are and where we come from and why we do the things we do,” she said. “It’s
encouraging.”
According to the study on Armenian Americans:
* 52% feel cohabitation — unwed couples living together — is favorable.
* 36% feel having a baby out of wedlock is favorable.
* 30% are registered Democrats.
* 65% feel the relationship with the Latino community needs improvement.
* Of the languages spoken among Armenian Americans, English is first,
Armenian is second and Arabic is third.
* 69% have an education beyond high school.
* 36% would like to be called Armenian.
* 92% are interested in the current affairs of Armenia.
For more information, contact Mashdots College at (818) 548-9345 or send to
[email protected].
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7 – Ararat Home Development of
Rockhaven Property Put on Hold
MONTROSE, Calif. – The development by the Ararat Home of Los Angeles of the
Rockhaven property in Montrose has been put on hold, the Ararat Trustees
reported last week.
At a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees, an action was taken to delay
the development of the property, and to consider other alternatives for
expanding the services of Ararat Home.
The decision was based on the current difficulties of obtaining necessary
permits and the recent inflationary trend in the cost of materials needed
for construction.
Current cost estimates are substantially higher then those made earlier,
requiring more funds to be raised before proceeding, the Trustees
explained.
Ararat purchased the property and the Rockhaven Sanitarium in 2001 and was
planning the redevelopment and improvement of the property as a 178-bed
Skilled Nursing Facility. The facility was to be state-of-the-arts.
Building Committee Chairman Sinan Sinanian said,” This is a wonderful and
much needed project which is as the ‘taking-off’ point, but the board will
need to raise more funds to support it.”
The Long-Range Planning Committee of the Board is now working and will
shortly report to the board on the future needs of Ararat and the means to
accomplish them.
Ararat Home will continue to provide services, recognized as outstanding by
the State, at its facilities in Mission Hills, Eagle Rock, and Rockhaven
for those in its care, while planning for improved and expanded facilities
for the future.
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8 – Harvest Gallery
Presents Zareh
Exhibition, Sept. 9-27
GLENDALE – Harvest Gallery is presenting paintings and drawings by Zareh at
an exhibition opening on Sept. 9 in Glendale, Calif. The artist’s opening
reception will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Gallery. 938 N. Brand
Boulevard.
Born in 1956 in Syria, Zareh was raised in Lebanon under the harsh effects
of a civil war. Zareh’s art represents endless transformation and
evolution. Upon immigrating to the United States in 1983, he attended
classes at both UCLA and the Barnsdall Art Center.
Zareh has displayed his art in numerous solo and group exhibitions in the
Los Angeles metropolitan area. He has also staged live, public exhibits
including “The Red Trees of the Armenian Genocide” (2001) and most recently
a traveling series titled “Marry the Priest” (2002). His art has been
featured in numerous mainstream and ethnic publications including the Los
Angeles Times, La Opinion, Panorama (Russian), Armenian Observer, Armenian
Reporter International and the Beirut Times.
Zareh’s exhibit will be on display from Sept. 9 through Sept. 27. Gallery
hours are Tuesday – Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
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