‘Anguish and Policy’ Over Martyrs Day Resolution

Your editorial raises a more important question than whether a congressional resolution be passed for April 24 to be Martyrs Day to commemorate the “genocide” of the Armenian people by the Turkish government 70 years ago. The suggestion is: “When is it time for forgive?”

Note, I emphasize “forgive”--not “forget.”

All victims of genocide should never forget , and always remember . But continued hostility toward future generations of the original perpetrators is crippling, and offers little or no hope for peace.

An argument can be made, contrary to The Times’ conclusion in that passage of the recommended resolution may assuage the deep fear of future genocides, and hasten the forgiving process.

Regardless, there must be a determined effort to forgive, and a program developed that protects such happenings from becoming a reality again.

I know there are many who will say I’m naive, foolish. Hate is within all of us. Given a set of circumstances, and demagogic political leadership, it can happen again. But if there is no nope for a tomorrow that can bridge the gap of differences, then why bring future generations into being?

The answer rests with us. We can teach history, and urge “never forget . . . remember,” but we also have an obligation to teach, and preach, the needs for hands of friendship and understanding to be created.

To those who argue, it’ll never be, let us look at the recent developments within the Catholic Church. Church doctrine has changed. This cause for anti-Semitism has been removed from its teachings. Can it be with other causes? Yes, by removing the ills of our society that gives rise to scapegoating and false targets. By outlawing advocates of bodily harm on another because of differences by law that protects a group from genocide. By not losing sight of what the Talmud says in regard to the Passover holiday Jews celebrated just recently.

“When the Egyptians hosts were drowning in the Red Sea, the angels in Heaven were about to break forth in songs of jubilation. But the Holy See, bless be He, silenced them with the words: ‘My creatures are perishing, and ye are ready to sing!’ ”

HYMAN H. HAVES

Pacific Palisades