Hrant Dink - 40 Days Later
2005 CYMA-WD Alumnist Lisa Hosboyar gave the following speech at St. Mary Armenian Church, Costa Mesa on the occasion of the Honkionkist of Hrant Dink. Her speech has been published in his honor.
My name is Lisa Hosboyar, I am 20 years old and the first time I saw Hrant Dink was on a sea bus traveling from Istanbul to the Islands. He sat with Etyen Mahcupyan and I stared at them wondering what these two brilliant individuals were discussing. A few years later I had the pleasure of meeting him when he came to give a lecture in Burbank. After his lecture, I went up to him, introduced myself and asked to take a picture with him. He looked at me with smiling eyes, put an arm around my shoulder and we took the most memorable and valuable picture of my life.
He was a great man who’s warmth and sincerity you could truly feel, but I am not here to talk to you about what a great man Hrant Dink was because by now you’ve all heard how among other things, how kindhearted and courageous he was. For us it is very easy to sit in safe, comfortable America and say the things we believe in, but to say these things in Turkey, well that is courage. I rather convey to you his message. A message of peace and truth. As a student majoring in print journalism, to me he was the perfect example of a journalist, someone who writes what he believes in and sticks by it no matter how harsh the consequences might be. He was also my perfect example of a bolsahye. An Armenian born and raised in Turkey. He wanted people to understand that in no way did he want to put down Turkey because he did love living there, all he wished for was the truth, that is the Armenian Genocide to come out and be discussed. He fought for Armenians but it is such a shame that even some of them would come to criticize him because they did not understand him.
He hoped for communication because with communication comes understanding and with understanding comes the end of hate.
Hrant Dink was shot by a 17-year-old boy. Three years ago when I was 17, all I would think about was at what time I would study for a test, he at what time he would brutally murder a man. But I do not believe that this 17 year old was what murdered Hrant Dink, he was simply the one who pulled the trigger. I believe this boy was a brainless toy of those of far greater power. Those who claim they are saddened by this loss but still do not take action to remove the 301-penalty law are I assure you, not saddened enough. And those who cry fake tears on T.V. while addressing their nation but do not make an effort to attend his funeral, are what I call fake politicians.
Hrant Dink’s funeral was as big and historic as his legacy. Miles of people marching in unity regardless of race or religion. People who have had it with those in their country who hate others simply because of their race. Turkey is now more then ever a country of division. On one side: humanity, love, modernists, friendship, and brotherhood. On the other: extreme nationalism, hate, racism, and non-acceptance of others. These issues cannot be resolved until the past is dealt with, and that is something Hrant Dink truly believed in.
Last weekend I attended a lecture held at UCLA, and a professor from Turkey had come to speak. She told us that when she asked Rakel Dink, widow of Hrant Dink, what her message to us would be, Rakel responded with, love one another. The same message written above our alter. It is so simple, yet something we do so little of. Maybe we find it easier to hate rather then love, easier to accuse rather then understand. Well the real challenge humans much face is to have humanity. To not hate, to not accuse, to simply love one another.
March 7th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Great speech Lisa. This is an excellent message to everyone.