Documentary on Armenia-Turkey conflict to be shown at Cedar Rapids library

CEDAR RAPIDS — The mass killing of Armenians in Turkey began 100 years ago this month, but time has done little to mute the controversy surrounding the massacre even in places far removed from it, such as Iowa.

At issue is the use of the term genocide to describe the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks.

Turks long have objected to the term, noting deaths on both sides of the fighting that lasted from 1915 to 1923. Seven states, including Iowa, also do not recognize what happened to the Armenians as genocide, and the U.S. government is reluctant to use the term.

But nations such as Germany, which had been complicit in the deaths, have begun describing the slaughter as genocide, with the German president using the term in a speech just last week.

Charles Crawley, a member of the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County, would like to see Iowa join the ranks of states and nations acknowledging the killings as a genocide.

'The thing to remember about the Armenian genocide is that it was kind of the template for the genocides that followed,' Crawley said. 'I think for the Armenians today, having it recognized as genocide would be a big thing for them. The healing that a recognition would bring, that's what they want.'

To that end, the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County will host a showing Thursday in Cedar Rapids of the PBS film 'The Armenian Genocide.' A discussion will follow.

Crawley said the event fits in with the mission and purpose of the Inter-Religious Council.

'We try to focus on peace and justice issues, and this is definitely a justice issue,' Crawley said. 'It's also a peace issue. They're really looking for peace.'

Crawley, who has been studying Armenian history for the last decade, also will present a six-page paper on the topic to the Cedar Rapids Literary Club this week.

IF YOU GO

What: Showing of PBS film 'The Armenian Genocide,' followed by a discussion led by Al Fisher

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Beems Auditorium, Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE