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ADL Should Hold Itself to Higher
Standard
We expect it of doctors, lawyers, judges, and those we hold
in high esteem. Should we expect less from an organization
who says they stand for human rights? No! So on March 26, a
peaceful demonstration was organized by the ARF and the
Armenian Democratic Liberal Organization (ADL). Please, do
not confuse the abbreviation for the Armenian organization
with the topic of this article, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
The Armenian groups took out a full-page ad in the March 23
issue of the Birmingham Eccentric titled, “Shame On You
Abraham Foxman,” referring to the ADL’s national director,
who only recently and after much criticism admitted (weakly
and with ambiguous terminology) that there was a genocide
against the Armenians. It explained how and why the ADL New
England regional director, Andrew Tarsy, had been fired for
his support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in Congress.
The ad also quoted the late Congressman Tom Lantos, himself
a Holocaust survivor, and named the countries who have
already recognized the Armenian genocide. The ad described
the official Turkish policy of denial and listed the
endorsement of the International Association of Genocide
Scholars, including the names of their executive board. It
was an impressive ad.
ARF and ANC-Michigan chairman Narses Gedigian and community
activist, philanthropist, and ARMENPAC co-chair Edgar
Hagopian were designated as the spokespersons during the
demonstration, and charged with answering the questions of
passersby who were given explanatory handouts. The
block-long Birmingham Community House was flanked by first-,
second-, and third-generation Hyes worthy of being called
“the off-spring of the survivor: exiled immigrant
generation.” They had leart (liver) and, pardon the
expression, the chutzpah to demonstrate what is “tanamount”
to fighting for what is right. And we shall continue to do
so. That is what the Turks fear—Armenian unity and tenacity.
Can you be selective it comes to human rights? Mr. Foxman,
are you so paranoid and inhumane that you are vociferous
about the Holocaust but side with Turks in denying the
genocide of the Armenians? You can’t have it both ways. The
Armenians would never think of denying the Holocaust. A
commonality exists between the Jews and Armenians and as one
banner carried by a demonstrator revealed, “Hitler said, Who
remembers the Armenians?”
The ADL wields a lot of power but right now that is not
enough to untarnish their image. Last summer, Foxman
described the events of 1915-23 as “tanamount to genocide.”
Those were the words used by the man representing an
organization known throughout the world as a leader in the
fight against anti-Semitism, hatred, prejudice, bigotry, and
discrimination. Noble and admirable objectives. Except,
apparently, when it comes to the Armenian genocide.
No Armenian worth their precious glorious ancestry is taking
it lying down. An impressive throng representing all aspects
of the metro Detroit community heeded the call and for
almost three hours joined together in an atmosphere of
united camaraderie to demonstrate their disdain in front of
the Birmingham Community House where Foxman was expected to
give a lecture at 7 p.m.
He was a no show, however. The event went on with substitute
speaker, Kenneth Jacobsen, the ADL’s assistant national
director, who when asked about the purpose of the
demonstration outside, only replied, “It’s a complicated
situation.”
Shame on You Abraham Foxman
Foxman’s words (“tanamount to genocide”) were insufficient
and burned a hole in the Armenian psyche all over the
diaspora, including in Detroit. The demonstrators may be
doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, accountants,
teachers, land developers, merchants, students, pastry
chefs, and professors but they all have Detroit grit and
steel in their veins. Every one of us bears the scars of
1915. Every one of us carries the genes and blood of that
exiled generation. Every one of us demonstrated as victors
not victims. Every one of us respects the victims of the
Holocaust and everyone of us will not let the genocide issue
be trampled upon. Today, the Armenians of Detroit were again
standing tall for their martyrs.
‘People Do Not Know History’
To know it is to love it. The City of Birmingham is a
refined residential community filled with lovely upscale
homes whose residents are well-educated, successful
professionals.
One of them, a gentleman walker-by said, “The trouble is
people do not know history. The world knows the Turks did
it. You people are in your right to demand recognition from
the U.S. and Turkey.” Another older, Jewish gentleman was
more than vocal. He spent a great deal of time with us
protesting the ADL’s stance.
Every Armenian there left with a warm feeling of
accomplishment, bringing them closer to their ancestors,
culture, religion, and April 24, which is remembered
everyday of our lives from generation to generation to
generation ... regardless of the Abe Foxmans of the world.
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