Demand Balanced Education on Ottoman-Armenian History. Pennsylvania Schools should teach the complete history of the Ottoman - Armenian conflict of World War I, not just one-sided narrative promoted by the Armenian lobby.
Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania State Senators and Representatives, Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Education Members, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board Members, Local School Boards and Superintendents ,Pennsylva
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge Pennsylvania’s education authorities and government officials to uphold principles of academic integrity, inclusiveness, and balanced historical education.
While understanding history is vital, we are concerned that the instruction being provided on the events of 1915–1923 often presents only a single narrative—excluding critical perspectives, especially those of Turkish-American families and scholars.
Our Concerns:
One-Sided Curriculum: Many resources used in classrooms present these complex historical events through a singular, politicized lens, which may exclude or misrepresent key facts and interpretations.
Marginalized Voices: Turkish-American students, educators, and historians often feel silenced or mischaracterized by these portrayals.
Missed Educational Opportunity: A full, balanced examination—featuring diverse primary sources and viewpoints—fosters critical thinking and respectful civic dialogue.
Legal and Historical Context:
The classification of the 1915 events as "genocide" has not been confirmed by any international court of law, and no formal legal ruling exists to label it as such. Leading academic historians—including Professor Justin McCarthy—have used scientific methods to analyze these events and published findings concluding that they do not meet the legal definition of genocide under international law.
Furthermore, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued rulings in 2013 and 2015 affirming that:
The claim of an "Armenian Genocide" is a matter of opinion.
The right to reject or question this claim falls under freedom of expression.
The court emphasized that the Armenian case cannot be equated with the Holocaust, because:
The Holocaust was ruled upon by an international tribunal (Nuremberg).
The Armenian case has no such legal ruling or recognition.
Additional Historical Facts Often Excluded:
The Ottoman government's relocation orders during WWI were targeted at armed Armenian revolutionary groups—not peaceful civilians. These actions were taken in a context of war, not ethnic extermination.
Tens of thousands of Turkish civilians were brutally massacred by Armenian militias during the same period—a fact absent from most curriculum materials.
Despite Turkey’s longstanding calls to open historical archives and form a joint research commission, the Armenian government has refused to open its own national archives to international investigators.
We Urge You to:
Support a curriculum review to ensure that the teaching of the 1915 events reflects historical complexity and is not reduced to a single political narrative.
Promote consultation with Turkish-American historians, scholars, and civic groups in shaping any genocide education policy.
Defend academic freedom and expression by upholding all students' and educators' rights to learn and explore multiple viewpoints without fear or bias.
This is not about denial—it’s about balance, inclusion, and respect for diverse voices in our classrooms.
Sponsored by
To:
Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania State Senators and Representatives, Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Education Members, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board Members, Local School Boards and Superintendents ,Pennsylva
From:
[Your Name]
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge Pennsylvania’s education authorities and government officials to uphold principles of academic integrity, inclusiveness, and balanced historical education.
While understanding history is vital, we are concerned that the instruction being provided on the events of 1915–1923 often presents only a single narrative—excluding critical perspectives, especially those of Turkish-American families and scholars.
Our Concerns:
One-Sided Curriculum: Many resources used in classrooms present these complex historical events through a singular, politicized lens, which may exclude or misrepresent key facts and interpretations.
Marginalized Voices: Turkish-American students, educators, and historians often feel silenced or mischaracterized by these portrayals.
Missed Educational Opportunity: A full, balanced examination—featuring diverse primary sources and viewpoints—fosters critical thinking and respectful civic dialogue.
Legal and Historical Context:
The classification of the 1915 events as "genocide" has not been confirmed by any international court of law, and no formal legal ruling exists to label it as such. Leading academic historians—including Professor Justin McCarthy—have used scientific methods to analyze these events and published findings concluding that they do not meet the legal definition of genocide under international law.
Furthermore, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued rulings in 2013 and 2015 affirming that:
The claim of an "Armenian Genocide" is a matter of opinion.
The right to reject or question this claim falls under freedom of expression.
The court emphasized that the Armenian case cannot be equated with the Holocaust, because:
The Holocaust was ruled upon by an international tribunal (Nuremberg).
The Armenian case has no such legal ruling or recognition.
Additional Historical Facts Often Excluded:
The Ottoman government's relocation orders during WWI were targeted at armed Armenian revolutionary groups—not peaceful civilians. These actions were taken in a context of war, not ethnic extermination.
Tens of thousands of Turkish civilians were brutally massacred by Armenian militias during the same period—a fact absent from most curriculum materials.
Despite Turkey’s longstanding calls to open historical archives and form a joint research commission, the Armenian government has refused to open its own national archives to international investigators.
We Urge You to:
Support a curriculum review to ensure that the teaching of the 1915 events reflects historical complexity and is not reduced to a single political narrative.
Promote consultation with Turkish-American historians, scholars, and civic groups in shaping any genocide education policy.
Defend academic freedom and expression by upholding all students' and educators' rights to learn and explore multiple viewpoints without fear or bias.
This is not about denial—it’s about balance, inclusion, and respect for diverse voices in our classrooms.