04-10-2016, 12:30 PM
1457655963-JRS.docx (Size: 19.6 KB / Downloads: 6)
Abstract
This action research proposal examines the extent of which the general public is aware of and is knowledgeable of the Armenian Genocide. By examining information and facts about the genocide, I will be able to inform others of this topic. The issue that will be studied is racial and religious discrimination and it includes many stories of specific families during the genocide and their horrible experiences. I will use the qualitative research strategy. Data will be collected from the participants in my interviews. This proposal will challenge the argument of people having no knowledge of the Armenian Genocide and their viewpoints on religious discrimination. The implications from this research will give the information and facts of the mass killings and outcomes of the Armenian Genocide.
Bringing Awareness to Racial and Religious Discrimination
Introduction
Several studies have been conducted on the effects of racial and religious conflicts. Data has shown that most racial and religious issues have been decreased but there are still many problems with applying for jobs, entering a certain organization, and even as simple as trying to make friends (Economic Policy Institute). While it may be opposing to common beliefs that racism is not a crisis anymore, the data challenges that concept. The significance of these findings reveals charts, data, and statistics of how difficult it is for certain races to get jobs (Economic Snapshot: Inequality and Poverty). This proposal will discuss the importance of not discriminating against a certain race or religion. This proposal will also bring awareness to the Armenian Genocide which was caused by racial and religious issues. In my experience, I have witnessed a group of students discriminate against another group because of their religion. It has come to my attention that religious and racial discrimination is in fact a serious problem amongst students in schools. As I investigate this topic I hope to make students knowledgeable of my topic so that they will avoid conflicts and become passive. Therefore my research question is: Has racism been controlled in today’s society, or is it still a reoccurring problem?
Literature Review
The year of 1915 the Turkish government decides to purify their nation, to create a "true" Muslim Turkey. They choose to annihilate all the Christian Armenians in the Ottoman Empire to keep their Muslim cultures and also expand turkey by taking the lands around them. 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered and many more forcibly banished from their lands. These killings and exiles are considered the Armenian Genocide. Today, the Armenian Genocide is denied by the Turkish government and is “erased” from their history (A&E Television Networks, 2010).
A new study on the effects of race on hiring decisions has relevance for current policy debates. The Supreme Court found that race could be taken into account in the admissions process for higher education, but only within strict limits. Contrary to the contention of those seeking to end racial consideration in public policy, this new study indicates that racial discrimination is alive and well. It creates a barrier between citizens seeking jobs and the people that are hiring (Economic Policy Institute).
History holds so many deaths from genocide and wars. Many genocides start from the simple emotion of hate. This genocide begins with racial and religious conflicts between nations. The Armenian Genocide, one of the biggest genocides in history which was the mass killings of Christian Armenians is forgotten by the country that unleashed it. In 1915 Turkey’s government (a Muslim country) killed 1.5 million Armenians because of their religion. The same concept is seen in the Holocaust which was the mass killings of Jew’s in Germany. Though there is a major difference in both these genocides. The Armenian genocide to this day is denied by the Turkish government. The Holocaust is accepted by Germany and taught in their history books.
-5-
Both genocides are a very crucial part of history and should be brought attention to (Human Rights Commissioner at the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Lecture).
In the latest year studied, the number of countries with very high religious hostilities rose from 14 to 20, an increase of more than 40%. Six countries had very high social hostilities in 2012 but not in 2011: Syria, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and Burma (Myanmar). And every country that had very high social hostilities in 2011 continued to have very high hostilities in 2012. Meanwhile, 76 countries (38%) had low levels of religious hostilities in 2012, down from 87 (44%) in 2011 (Pew Research Center).
Members of the Turkish Cultural Club tried to deny on Tuesday that the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians near the start of the 20th century was genocide. Denying the existence of genocide is a heinous act that degrades the experience of an entire people and is threatening to the prevention of future racism and genocides. To an audience of Armenian students and the undergraduate student government, members of the Turkish Cultural Club defended the Turkish government, which has failed to recognize the genocide for the last century. The presentation and public comments were part of the group’s efforts to sway councilmember to vote against a resolution next week that calls for the University of California to divest from the Republic of Turkey. More than 40 U.S. states and 22 countries, and the United Nations Sub Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide (Daily Bruin).
-6-
Methodology
Since, the purpose of my research is to stop racial discrimination in schools and bring more awareness of the Armenian Genocide as an example of it; my research methodology will be qualitative research. Qualitative will allow me to interact with more students, to hear their stories. It will help me know more about how kids view racism as a major topic and share any experiences of where they felt discriminated against. My data collection will be conducted through interviews, discussions, surveys, and interactions. I have chosen these methods because they will enable me to gain information on any racial conflicts in schools. Additionally, I have chosen to focus on students in middle and high school so that they will be more aware about the issue. Beginning next year I plan to go around different schools and make presentations about the issue at hand. After my presentations I will gather all my information and based on the data start after school clubs in these schools.
Results
As a result of my research, my goal is to make students aware of my topic, because it is significant for them to understand. My research will benefit students because it will help them be more aware of how they treat their peers. The findings can also encourage other students to join clubs or maybe even start their own clubs. My priority is to let students understand race, which is something that will affect them or they will encounter later in life. I mainly want students to know the issue and stop others from creating it.
-7-
Conclusion
It is essential that my research is conducted because it will permit me to gain more information. Considering the plan that I have outlined, it will allow for my research to be shared with other students and give them the knowledge of it. From these actions I hope to reach out to students that are having issues with racial discrimination to help them and also for those who do not know about the predicament. Thoughtfully, I predict that most students may not be consistent in keeping up with preventing the problem; however because of that I will maintain and control the clubs that I will organize by contacting them frequently and visiting to see what they accomplish.