Archive for April, 2010

Memorial Service in Yerevan Honors Armenian Genocide Victims

Memorial Service in Yerevan Honors Armenian Genocide Victims

I first learned about the Armenian Genocide nearly three years ago from an Armenian professor at my university. I mostly felt disturbed—not only by the tragedy, but by the fact that I was 20-years-old at the time and was just now learning about it. How could such an event be omitted from my primary education? [...]

Review: HBO’s You Don’t Know Jack (Kevorkian)

Review: HBO’s You Don’t Know Jack (Kevorkian)

“I have a God,” proclaims Jack Kevorkian, “his name is Bach. Johann Sebastian Bach.” That one-liner in HBO’s “You Don’t Know Jack” should be enough to tell you that you needn’t  know Kevorkian’s moniker of “Dr.Death” to realize he was different. After assisting 130 patients exercise their right to die and serving an almost 9 [...]

Alternative Voices on the Armenian Genocide and Armenian-Turkish Relations

Alternative Voices on the Armenian Genocide and Armenian-Turkish Relations

Too often, not all voices are heard. In an effort to jump start dialogue, ianyan magazine presents three alternative voices on important issues and significant subjects dealing with the Armenian Genocide and Armenian-Turkish relations. An American in Glendale There is no doubt that Glendale has the largest concentration of Armenians in the United States. In [...]

Meeting in the Middle: Armenian Genocide Thoughts, Part 2

Meeting in the Middle: Armenian Genocide Thoughts, Part 2

My grandfather died when I was 13. He lived down the street from our house, with my grandmother, among a dozen fruit and flower trees that felt like paradise. If the Garden of Eden did exist, I was sure that it was located in the backyard of my grandparents’ house. He complained of headaches for [...]

Suspect Arrested in Los Angeles Armenian Family Murders

Suspect Arrested in Los Angeles Armenian Family Murders

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of three members of an Armenian family who immigrated to the U.S. in 2003. There is evidence that a man in his 70s is involved in the slayings according to law enforcement and the Los Angeles Times. The arrest comes after Khachik Safaryan and his [...]

Interview: On a Mission to Expose Police Corruption in Armenia

Interview: On a Mission to Expose Police Corruption in Armenia

By now thousands have watched the impromptu video shot by a Diasporan Armenian when Armenian Police stopped him and the dramatic encounter that followed. After being falsely pulled over for speeding a few months ago and being harassed and kicked in the legs by a police officer, Dro, who is going by his first name [...]

Suspect in Armenian-Related Restaurant Shooting Captured

Suspect in Armenian-Related Restaurant Shooting Captured

Nerses Galstyan, the suspect wanted in connection with the shooting of four people at a Valley Village restaurant has been captured by authorities less than a month after the incident in the Seattle area, the Los Angeles Times reports today. Galstyan, 28, and his brother Samuel Galstyan were taken into custody Tuesday evening in the [...]

Beige: Know What the Answer is, Chavoor?

Beige: Know What the Answer is, Chavoor?

I have done stuff to stir the kids up before. Stuff that has made them say, “Mr. Chavoor, you can’t say that.” The first time I did it was in 1986 with 10th graders. I told them it was a just a true false test but the statements were racist stereotypes. True or False: Black [...]

Armenia is Calling Me

Armenia is Calling Me

When I was an awkward 12-year-old, trying to make friends, fit in and figure out my place in the world, I got plucked from a public school and put into a private Armenian institution for two years. It wasn’t by choice. The school district had a problem with the fact that I lived one street [...]

Bridges Hrant Dink Built: A Conversation with Jirair Libaridian

Bridges Hrant Dink Built: A Conversation with Jirair Libaridian

After Professor Jirair Libaridian began questioning the Armenian approach to the Armenian Genocide and Turkish relations, he formed a friendship with Hrant Dink, now known as the courageous editor of Agos newspaper who was killed at point blank range three years ago because of his beliefs. On Monday, April 12, Libaridian, who holds the Alex [...]