Traumatic memory contestation and preservation in transnational post-genocide communities: A case study of diasporic Istanbul Armenians in Los Angeles, California
Abstract
This thesis interrogates the hotly contested issue of Armenian genocide recognition and its ramifications on Istanbul Armenian immigrants residing in the greater Los Angeles area. Previous Armenian genocide scholarship has examined the events leading to the 1915 genocide and the main voices heard in the genocide recognition debate are mostly those of the Armenian-American diaspora and the Republic of Turkey, obscuring the opinions of Armenians originally from and still living in Turkey today. The Armenian-American diaspora in Los Angeles is well-known among the Armenian community for fiercely advocating genocide recognition through popular and dynamic public protests, rallies, and memorial events every April 24th, the official date acknowledged as Armenian Genocide [Memorial] Day. In this thesis, I will argue that the actions in the diaspora lobbying for genocide recognition not only impact Armenians still living in Turkey, but also unintentionally continue the ongoing after-effects of the genocide specifically on the Istanbul Armenian diasporic community in the greater Los Angeles area. I will also demonstrate how the role of traumatic memory is differently manifested in both the daily lives of Istanbul Armenians and more settled Armenian-Americans, and will show how the role of this memory problematizes the issue of creating a socially cohesive, ethnically homogeneous transnational post-genocide community at a time when rising tensions in the Turkish Armenian conflict severely threaten future hopes of reconciliation and even peace.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Zanotti, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Cultural anthropology|Social research|Near Eastern Studies
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.