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Armenian Action
AU3 ©UPd^riMJ
May 1997
Vol. 18, No. 4 (58)
Supplement to The Collegian
Fresno Armenian Youth Unite
By Crissi Jelladian
The Armenian Students Organization (ASO) worked actively
with the AYF and Homenetmen in
planning of events for April 24th
Armenian Genocide Day. The
Candlelight Vigil, on the evening
of April 23rd and the Commemoration Rally, on April 24th were two
events held on the Fresno State
Campus.
On the 23rd, Armenian Youth
from the community gathered at 9
PM around the fountain at Fresno
State for a candlelight vigil in commemoration ofthe Armenian Genocide. Many television stations gathered to capture comments from the
youth that joined us. Barring the
strong gusts of wind, the young
Armenians proceeded slowly down
the path in the direction ofthe New
Music building where pianist
Vardan Mamikonian was performing. Commemorators stood solemnly awaiting the conclusion of
the concert, so that Mamikonian
fans could also join in our commemoration service.
Our program began at 10 PM
with our first speaker, Crissi
Jelladian, President of ASO. She
welcomed everyone and told of the
symbolism behind the Vigil. She
described the Armenians on April
24th in Yerevan gathering at the
Armenian Martyr's Monument to
watch the eternal flame burn. They
gather, just as Armenians did at
Fresno State to seek justice for the
injustice which took place. The eter
nal flame symbolizes the memory
of more than 1.5 million Armenians that were killed by the Ottoman Turks 82 years ago. Their
memory is eternal and will never
be forgotten.
The next speaker, Aznive
Tchapadarian, Vice President of
ASO, read an excerpt from a William Saroyan book stating his views
towards the Turkish people. He
shouts at the Turks challenging
them to attempt to destroy Armenia, "Feed them only bread and
water, burn their homes and see if
they won't laugh, sing, and pray
again. For when two Armenians
meet anywhere in the world, see if
they will not create a new Armenia." By these harsh words, he tells
.the stories of how Armenians suffered, however, despite their tragic
experiences they continue to overcome atrocities and create "a new
Armenia."
ASO closed the evening with a
few words from our advisor, Barlow
Der Mugrdechian, and an invitation to attend our commemoration
rally for April 24th.
On Thursday, April 24,1997,
Armenians and non-Armenians
• throughout the community joined
us for our commemoration rally.
The speakers for the day expressed
a Variety Of views that touched
many. Crissi Jelladian spoke on the
prejudice that Armenians experience even today within our own
community. She inquired about the
amount of contribution it will take
Executive members from ASO, AYF and Homenetmen
that organized and led the unified events
to eliminate this prejudice against
the Armenian community. She
closed her speech by stating, "It is
my wish for the future ofthe Armenian community as a whole, that
we focus on our strengths and compassion and continue to enrich both
the Armenian and American communities in which we are involved.
One note of caution: Be aware of
those who bring forth negative
viewpoints with no basis and supportive of thosewho support us and
the community in which we live."
Secondly, Professor Su
Kapoor, an expert in the area of
Peace and Conflict Studies mentioned the massacres and what effect an apology would have on not
Author and Scholar Balakian to Visit Fresno
Peter Balakian
The Armenian Studies Program, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (Fresno Chapter)
and the Fresno Art Museum present
a reading by Peter Balakian from
hi§ new book Black Dog of Fate, on
Sunday, June 1,1997 at 3:00 PM in
the Bonner Auditorium of the
Fresno Art Museum. A reception
and book signing will follow the
reading.
Black Dog of Fate is the first
major book by an American writer
to explore the full arc ofthe Armenian Genocide and its meaning in
the twentieth century. Peter
Balakian, prize-winning poet, tells
an intensely personal story, a classic coming of age memoir about
one family's and one culture's survival against great odds. At the
center of Balakian's quintessential
baby-boom childhood, set in the
affluent suburbs of northern New
Jersey, is the dark specter of trauma
his ancestors had experienced-the
Turkish government's extermination of over a million Armenians in
1915. With a poet's wit and deep
insight, Balakian explores the intense and often comic collision
between his family's ancient Near
Eastern culture and the American
pop culture ofthe 50's and '60s.
Balakian moves with ease from
childhood memory, to history, to
his ancestor's lives, including an
unforgettable portrait of his grandmother, a genocide widow who
survived a death march and filed a
human rights suit against the Turkish government in 1919, before the
modern concept of human rights
had been formulated. Written with
power and grace, the book unfolds
like a tapestry its tale of ultimate
survival.
"Balakian, agifted poet, knows
exactly how to bring the pain ofthe
past in to the landscape of the
present. Passionate and endearingly
personal... an extraordinary book..."
Alfred Kazin
"This will be a classic among
memoirs for what it tells us about
the Armenian American story,
about the reclaiming of unspeakable personal and family truths,
and out the emergence of a powerful, poetic voice." Robert Jay Lifton
"This is a profound and eloquent book that traces the transmutation of painful history into the
only the Armenians, but on our
world as a whole. Had the Turkish
government 82 years ago admitted
the Armenian Genocide, other holocausts could have been eliminated. The denial showed inhuman
people such as Adolph Hitler that it
was acceptable to massacre people.
Kapoor stated, "A simple apology,
an I'm sorry, could help to begin
the healing process."
Our third speaker was the district director for Congressman
George Radanovich, Steve
Samuelian. Mr. Samuelian briefly
discussed the history of the Armenian Genocide and continued to
describe the unbelievable difficulties experienced when trying to pass
stuff of literature and moral engagement." Mary Catherine
Bateson
Balakian is a leading spokesman for the Armenian-American
community. He is an activist who
has spearheaded numerous campaigns to raise awareness about the
Armenian Genocide. In the past
year Balakian'spetition, "Taking a
Stand Against the Turkish
Government's Denial of the Armenian Genocide and Scholarly Corruption in the Academy," was an
important part of the news story
about the Turkish government's
most recent effort to manipulate
higher education in the United
States. Currently he is Professor of
English at Colgate University. He
is the author of four books of poetry, most recently Dyer's Thistle,
and a book about Theodore
Roethke. He lives in Hamilton, New
York.
the Radanovich-Bonior amendment which removes $3 million in
economic aid to Turkey until they
admit to the occurrence of the Armenian Genocide. Following the
passing of this amendment in the
House of Representatives, Congressman Radanovich found resistance followed by denial in the Senate. Samuelian promised that their
efforts would not stop until admittance from the American and Turkish governments regarding the Armenian Genocide occurred.
Lastly, ASO advisor, Barlow
Der Mugrdechian read an excerpt
from a Michael Krekorian book,
Corridor, describing an old man's
memories of the atrocities. As he
read excerpts, he paused to mention lists of families names that
were killed in the Genocide. Fresno
State student, Diana Karagozian
responding to his speech stated,
"He said Avedis, that was my
grandfather's name, that really
touched me."
The youth from the three orga-
nizations according to Mano
Momjian, "helped to make each
event throughout the week more
successful. This year the events
were different, attracting new
crowds, and new participants. I
feel the outcome was positive and
should be continued in the future."
**I'd like to send a special
thanks to Susie, Mano, Mark,
Nishan, Adrine, Aznive, and Marie
for all of your hard work. Great job
guys!!
The AGBU, CSU Fresno
Armenian Studies Program &
Fresno Art Museum
Present
A Reading by the Author
Sunday, June 1,1997
3:00PM
•Fresno Art Museum
Bonner Auditoriun
2233 N. First St., Fresno
•Reception & Book Signing
to Follow
• Free Admission
INSIDE WE" VE GOT	
-GRADUATING ARMENIANS
-INFO ON VARIOUS FSU
ACTIVITIES & THE
ARMENIAN STUDENTS
INVOLVEMENT
-CHANNEL ZERO
-RAISIN CONFERENCE
-REACTIONS TO THE
GENOCIDE EVENTS
-AND LOTS MORE!!