April is Genocide Awareness Month—a time of remembrance, reflection, and responsibility.

This month was chosen because several of history’s most devastating genocides began or are commemorated in April, including the Armenian Genocide, the Cambodian Genocide, and the Rwandan Genocide. It is a time to honor the memory of the victims and survivors of these and other atrocities, to educate ourselves about the warning signs of genocide, and to take meaningful steps to prevent such crimes from happening again.

Genocide does not begin with violence—it begins with hatred. Around the world today, individuals and communities continue to face persecution simply because of their identity—because of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or beliefs. Preventing genocide means more than responding to crisis; it requires building societies where human rights are protected and upheld, where freedom of expression, religion, and peaceful assembly are safeguarded, and where respect for diversity is deeply rooted.

Combating genocide also means confronting hate speech, misinformation, and dehumanization wherever they appear. It means promoting truth, empathy, and inclusion—especially in moments of political or social tension. And when conflict arises, we must respond with peacekeeping efforts, humanitarian aid, and international cooperation to protect civilian lives.

As Americans, we must resist the dangerous illusion that genocide cannot happen here. Our own history contains painful examples: the genocide of Indigenous peoples, the enslavement and systemic oppression of Africans and their descendants, and the persistent legacies of white supremacy, xenophobia, and discriminatory policies. These realities are not just in the past—they reverberate in our present through racial injustice, attacks on immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, and growing extremism.

To truly say “never again,” we must recognize that the seeds of genocide can take root anywhere, including our own country. Preventing mass atrocities requires vigilance, education, and moral courage. It requires acknowledging our own history and committing ourselves—every day—to justice, equity, and human dignity.

Let this month not only be a time of remembrance but a call to action: to speak out, stand up, and build a world where no one is targeted for who they are—and where the horrors of genocide are not repeated.