Michigan high beat - ADL Should Hold Itself to Higher Standard

By Betty Apigian Kessel

"The Armenian Weekly", Volume 74, No. 13, April 5, 2007

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.