Source: Instagram user khloekardashian
Saying that Kim Kardashian's current trip to Armenia has gotten a lot of press is an understatement. It's unclear what Kim, or any Kardashian, could do that wouldn't garner press, but for all those out there lamenting the incessant coverage, who are sick and tired of reading one more Kardashian story, let me explain why this one matters.
I've kept up with the Kardashians for nearly a decade, and not just for the voyeuristic reason we all turn on reality TV. Like Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé, I'm also Armenian. (See, stars are just like us!) And I tend to think they've done a lot for the Armenian cause over the years.
You see, up until Kardashian became a household name (hard to believe there was such a time, am I right?), Armenia wasn't a household name. I struggled with explaining my heritage to my blond-haired, blue-eyed friends who'd always mispronounce it "Ar-maaay-neeaan." Back then, Cher was the most famous Armenian-American, followed closely by tennis player Andre Agassi. (I'd throw Gwen Stefani in the mix, based on evidence from my cousins that her real last name is Stefanian - but that's turned out to be a rumor.) And back in grade school, when I would tell my classmates about the mass killing of an entire race (great recess banter, I know - I was superpopular), they thought only of the Holocaust. Not the Armenian Genocide. They never heard of that one.
So, let's get the important stuff out of the way:
During World War I, in 1915, roughly 1.5 million Armenians (more than half of the existing population) were removed from their homeland through forced deportations and then murdered at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, which is present-day Turkey. To this day, Turkey denies the Armenian Genocide ever took place. Interestingly, they aren't necessarily saying some of it never happened, they just hate to use the word "genocide." They don't think we should be going around putting labels on things. Basically, they're acting like Armenia's crazy ex-boyfriend. And what that boils down to is, we've never gotten an apology. Not only that, but the Turkish government still actively works toward silencing and punishing those who raise the issue.
Heavy stuff, right? Yes, but does it really matter that Turkey doesn't recognize it? I mean, everyone else certainly does. Even George Clooney's wife talks about it while wearing chic legal robes! While the Armenian Genocide has been recognized by more than 20 nations, guess which one isn't on the list? The great United States.
OK, so how this relates to the Kardashians . . . You might roll your eyes at the fact that the Armenian prime minister took time out of his busy schedule yesterday to have a sit-down with the reality stars, but there's a big reason why he probably did.
Source: Gov.am
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the genocide, and the Armenian people are pulling out all the stops to make sure the commemoration of those atrocious events doesn't get brushed below the fold for some other flash-in-the-pan viral story. (For instance, remember that day last November when scientists made history by landing a spacecraft on a comet for the first time? No? Maybe that's because this happened.)
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan surely knows that Kim could do more for the Armenian cause than any political leader, including our own president, who pledged in his first campaign that he'd work toward resolution but has wavered, like many presidents before him, for fear of upsetting our military alliance with Turkey.
By documenting her trip on next season's Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim might educate young Americans who don't understand the historical significance of the Armenian Genocide . . . because it's not yet given appropriate real estate in school history books, nor is it officially taught in the classroom.
Source: Instagram user kimkardashian
Kim might create a dialogue. She might enact change. She might help bring peace to victims and their families. She might, just might, even get Kanye to rap about it.
If Kim can gather up her 31 million Twitter followers and 29 million Instagram followers, I believe she can #BreakTheInternet for a greater good.
So, don't get too annoyed the next time Kim takes a selfie with Khloé in front of an Armenian statue or poses incessantly while eating some yummy boreg (look it up, it's delicious). Instead, appreciate the fact that she's putting her celebrity to meaningful use and help pass along her message.
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