Letter: I have a dream too

by Kacheg Topalian

Published: Wednesday February 17, 2010

I am an 83 year old American Armenian first generation born of survivors of the Armenian genocide. While reflecting on the meaning of Dr. Martin Luther King day, I too have a dream.

My dream is that one day the United States with the rest of the world will recognize the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish government in 1915.

I have lived and witnessed many ethnic prejudices in the United states. Early in the 20 the century store front signs advertised "help wanted, Irish Catholics need not apply."

So what did the Irish do? They organized and became a political force by establishing themselves in the foundation of communities. The Irish became policemen, firemen, city council members, mayors, governors and congressmen. In 1960 John F. Kennedy, an Irish catholic, was elected President of the United States.

Dr. Martin Luther King realized his dream when he organized one million African Americans, men, women and children, to march to Washington D.C. to show unity in purpose, and solidarity in cause.

"We shall overcome" was their cry for equality and today we have an African American president of the United States.

Jews have been persecuted for centuries but their intellect and strong will to prevail is evident. They hold public office at every level of government from local communities to the chambers of Congress to the White House. Jews are united and their cry is what can we do for Israel?

What lesson can we learn from this? Armenians wake up! We have a cry! 95 years have passed and we are still waiting for our country that accepted our parents with open arms, to recognize the tragedy that brought that here.

Who will make this dream real? Will it come from our Armenian political leaders, the artistic or academic community, our religious leaders? Who will be our Dr. martin Luther King?

Kacheg Topalian

Providence, R.I.