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Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action

April 28, 2022
STOPPING VIOLENCE AGAINST MASSES STARTS WITH EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS
Ramifications of the Armenian Genocide reverberate more than 100 years later
April is Armenian History month and April 24 was proclaimed by Governor Gavin Newsom as Armenian Genocide Day, both of which call attention to the 1.5 million people who died during the Armenian Genocide in 1915. It’s a time of personal significance to a number of PESA staffers who have deep roots within the Armenian community locally as well as abroad and who point to that shameful event as a motivating factor in their decisions to join PESA and devote their careers to social justice. 
 
“It’s a time of reflection,” says Director of Youth Services Araksya Nordikyan, “and a reminder of the importance of educating students not only about this and other horrific acts of violence against entire cultures throughout history, but to make young people aware that without learning tolerance, inclusion and acceptance, such events can continue today—and could happen to them.” Look no further than the ongoing aggression against Armenians, which has been declared by many activists to be to a continuation of the 1915 genocide.
“Partnering with schools to foster student advocacy and teaching intercultural tolerance is at the core of the PESA mission,” says Executive Director Seymour Amster. “You see it when PESA stepped in to help coordinate Grant High School’s Armenian Genocide Assembly that empowered hundreds of students to be upstanders. You see it when PESA funded a field trip for Grant students to the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello. You see it when PESA hosted its Community in Action event that highlighted the story of Asa Kent Jennings, who was responsible for saving 250,000 Armenian lives. You see it in our powerful student education programs created and presented by our interns on topics such as accepting differences, human rights, the importance of community service and the three A’s: what it means to be an ally, advocate and activist.”

“Some might argue it’s a stretch to make a direct connection between a young kid being bullied and violence on a mass scale,” says Nordikyan. “But is it? Why do these atrocities keep recurring throughout history? They stem from hatred, misunderstanding and fear of others. Can PESA stop genocide? Of course not. But we can do our part to support and educate as best we can, to sow seeds of acceptance and head off intolerance.”

If you’d like to support PESA’s many social and educational initiatives, please contact us.