Assyrians, despite coming to American in large numbers in the 1900s, 1930s, and 1970s, have been largely voiceless. An ethnic and religious minority in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria has not been easy for a fractured and put-upon people, but Assyrians have never backed down from a fight, proud of their language and their Christian faith.
Assyrians have never asked anybody else to fight for them. They allied with the British in World War I, and the Assyrians did the fighting--only to get sold out at the Treat of Versailles.
They teamed up with the Allies again in World War II, against axis-allied generals in Iraq, and were again forgotten in the rush to control oil.
We never asked anybody else to fight for us. We always did the fighting ourselves.
Here are just some of the martyrs we have lost to prove it:
Esho Moshi Bodagh
Francis Yousef Shabo
Jamil Matti
Raphael Nano
Sheeba Homi
Youbert Benyamin Shlimon
Youkhana Esho Jajo
Yousip Toma Hermis
Amir Rouel Helhim
Ghassan Hanna Boya
Samir Moshi Murad
Zia Younadam Zia
Majid Lewis
Kamal Yokoub Dawoud
Peris Mirza Sliwa
Youseif Zadouk Yousif
As I've stated in previous diaries, many Assyrians supported the war--ready to join in the fight.
Since then Assyrians have been marginalized, their lands stolen, their young men killed, and in the elections--which I participated in, full of hope--we were systematically disenfranchised, failing to win even one seat for our unity slate.
Assyrians are proud and resilient. But being to proud to ask for help can border on negligence, so I'm asking for your help.
Assyrians are an oppressed minority, their rights trampled for centuries. Don't let that history of marginalization be their cross, that they should bleed and die silently.
Will you help us make this an issue? Visit Zowaa ["Movement"].
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Chicago: Howtown ont he Make
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