Something I want to get off my chest: Being crass about the Armenian Genocide when I was in college

[Mike 03]

One of my worst memories ever is being an ignorant 17 year old in college, telling an Armenian girl that victims of genocide should just "move on" with their lives.

I was so wrong. I couldn't have been more wrong. I can't even figure out how I could have been so stupid.

Now I realize that genocide of your people is not something you should "get over," but a crucial lineage that cannot be ignored under any circumstances.

I think it is so important that we all revisit this topic and try to make amends to the degree possible.

And I am not blaming or including anybody here beside myself, and accusing my own ignorance.

I wish I had been a smarter college student.

Genocide is, well, beyond words. How do you even begin to describe your feelings about genocide. Thankfully, there are great authors and scholars who can put these feelings and facts into words.

I am so sorry it took me until I was older than 17 to realize what genocide was all about.

[Birthmark]

1. Let yourself off the hook.

You were 17. Everything looks easy to us at that age. You live, you learn.

[tularetom]

2. When I was about that same age I drove a propane truck for my dad

Some of his customers were Armenian farmers here in the central valley. I got quite an education in Armenian history and culture. Even dated an Armenian girl for awhile until her dad decided I wasn't the guy for her.

Before that time I didn't know jack shit about any Armenian genocide and I was just as dumb or dumber than you were but I'd have to say that experience opened my eyes to the diversity we talk so much about here in the USA.

You don't have anything to apologize for - you were a dumbass kid.

[virgogal]

3. At 17 we know virtually nothing and think we know virtually everything.

Let it go.

[jody]

5. "know virtually nothing and think we know virtually everything" then become Democrats or Republicats

I couldn't resist. :hi:

[Happy Friend]

4. High School kids

even the smartest, have very very weak senses of empathy. Don't dwell on that sort of thing.

Samantha Powers' book A Problem From Hell is very good, even if her husband is a detestable weasel.