Thanks to all those who chimed in regarding the seemingly awkwardly timed congressional attention to atrocities committed against Armenians. Initially, it appeared that the United States Congress was exhibiting yet another exercise of moral nearsightedness (think of the genocidal acts within our own borders!), behavior that speaks volumes about the circumvented and selective means of addressing domestic human rights violations. Then things became a bit clearer.
The acknowledgment of genocide is always a progressive thing to do. The drafting of a resolution officially declaring the Turk violence against Armenians takes things one step further. It’s easy to understand the Bush Administration’s dissatisfaction with this resolution: It came from a Democrat-led congress. The resolution spells possible ruin for the key factors enabling a continued U.S. military presence in Iraq. Turkey is more than just another friendly ally to the Bush Administration; it’s a gateway and launch pad for the ongoing war.
In getting back to the issues of moral nearsightedness, it’s imperative that the drafting of resolutions that label mass murderous behaviors as genocidal acts be available for all, namely Native and African Americans. It’s a shame that these two groups should have to continue to be deprived the healing and reparations that having the injustices against acknowledged as genocidal could initiate.
by Davie Williams, publishing intern
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Announcing In These Times’ New Agreement with the National Writers Union
Freelance contributors are essential to the quality and success of In These Times and independent media, and this agreement is one way to demonstrate their value to our publication and our commitment to transparency.
For more information about the National Writers Union, visit nwu.org.
Read the full agreement, which reaffirms a floor for the rates of our freelance editorial content, as well as our current rates (which are higher) and submissions guidelines below.