The Armenians recognize April 24 as the day that the Armenian Genocide officially started. However, other countries such as our own do not recognize these mass killings as a genocide. Unrightfully so I believe. The definition of genocide is “the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation” by definition, the killing of the Armenians in 1915 was a literal genocide.

However many countries and political leaders do not consider it to be a true genocide for mainly two reasons.  One being that allegedly enough people survived for it not to be recognized as a genocide. Second being that it was allegedly not state sanctioned, however, it can be debated as to whether or not it was state sanctioned. In the two years, that the killing occurred through the state did little to nothing to prevent the killings or even provide protection for the Armenians. As well as this are ten steps that are commonly referred to as “The Ten Stages of Genocide” which can be lined up with the events that occurred during the Armenian Genocide. The ten steps are as follows Classification, Symbolization, Discrimination, Dehumanization, Organization, Polarization, Preparation, Persecution, Extermination and Denial. After the killing of the Armenians, all evidence was destroyed and the Turkish government denied all relations to the events and any alleged killings.

At the end of the killings it is estimated that 1.5 million Armenians were killed, and although there have been genocides where more were killed I believe that these killings should and must be recognized as a genocide. Because not recognizing the deaths of 1.5 million people is nothing but pure disrespect and indifference to those, who lost loved ones, family members, and dear friends. Acknowledging this tragedy as the genocide that it is would bring the last bit of closure to those who have suffered.