I grew up attending ARS Armenian Private School in Toronto, where I was deeply immersed in our culture. Though I was involved in non-Armenian activities outside of school, going to university with individuals from diverse backgrounds was a new experience for me.  

To maintain strong community ties, I became active in my university’s Armenian Students Association, which I now chair, and participated in an Armenian mentorship program.

But I wanted more.

I applied to the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship with little thought. Though I knew it was something I was interested in doing, I was unsure if spending my summer in Washington, D.C. — a place so far away from home — was a good idea. Additionally, I was uncertain of how the internship would benefit me, given that much of what I would learn would be geared toward a U.S. perspective, and I questioned how relevant it would be to a Canadian.

When I received the call that I had been accepted into the summer program, I was faced with a difficult decision: Should I work locally in Toronto or go to Washington?

I chose the latter.

I have completed the internship and am writing to convince other Canadians to do the same.

The internship offers many opportunities for young Armenians interested in politics, law and research. Local Armenians with high-ranking positions in political offices, museums and law firms offered us advice, and we created unique connections that can be used to advance our future careers. However, what makes this program so special is the fact that everyone we’ve met — whether lecturers or local Armenian professionals — has shown genuine interest in helping us succeed in our chosen career paths.

Among our most impactful lecturers was Charlie Mahtesian, the senior editor from POLITICO, who shared his personal journey in journalism, answered our political journalism questions and inspired us to consider careers in his field. Our meeting with the Library of Congress Armenian and Georgian Area Specialist Dr. Khachig Mouradian was particularly moving. His selection and care for ancient Armenian manuscripts and other texts from the Library’s vast collection inspired all of us and left me with pride knowing that someone so passionate is in charge of nurturing our nation’s rich history.  

Apart from the lectures, I was also given the opportunity to learn through the routine advocacy in which we participated. While at first the concept of going to Capitol Hill and speaking to members of Congress and staff scared me, now having done it several times I no longer feel afraid to express my opinions and advance our community views among those with positions of power. Through lobbying, I had the pleasure of meeting Representatives Anna Eshoo and Adam Schiff, who advocate for Armenian issues on a global scale. They stressed the importance of youth advocacy in shaping congressional opinion on Armenian concerns.

The ANCA assigned individual projects to each intern — mine being the application of Global Magnitsky Sanctions on Azerbaijan’s genocidal leadership. We read detailed reports on Azerbaijani atrocities committed against Armenian prisoners of war and civilian detainees, submitted by the International and Comparative Law Centre NGO (ICLAW) and Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC) to the Departments of State and Treasury. By reading hundreds of pages of written testimonies and watching videos regarding the horrors and reality of what they went through, I understood the gravity of the situation many Artsakh and Armenian locals face. I also had the opportunity to write about how Canada can improve its relations and support of Armenia by stopping the import of Azerbaijani oil and encouraging Azerbaijan’s safe return of Armenian POWs and civilian captives.

Apart from the rewarding nature of the work, the internship environment was incredible. Working to advance the Armenian cause has been fulfilling and has allowed me to grow professionally. At the same time, after living at the Aramian House for six weeks, I can now say confidently that I have friends across the United States and Canada, all with true love, passion and commitment to the Armenian homeland, despite our distance from it.

So, did I make the right choice to come to Washington, D.C., this summer? Most definitely. To all those wavering in their decision to apply, drop me a note. I look forward to helping you make a decision about an experience that will impact you for a lifetime.

Sabrina Tomarci was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where she graduated from ARS Armenian Private School. She studies political science and public law at the University of Toronto. She is the president of her university’s Armenian Students Association and is committed to aiding the Armenian cause locally and internationally. Tomarci is an alumnus of the 2024 Leo Sarkisian Internship Program.

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Washington State’s new Covenant Homeownership Program has been in effect for just over a month, offering an advantage of home ownership based purely on race. It is a classic example of the misguided, feel-good policies that perpetuate division rather than solve the problems they claim to address. Indeed, this is nothing more than a racist home loans program.

On the surface, the Covenant Homeownership Program, which offers zero-interest loans to individuals from “historically marginalized communities,” might seem like a noble attempt to right the wrongs of past discrimination. It earned celebratory media coverage this month and earlier in the year. However, when you dig deeper, it becomes clear that this initiative is more about virtue signaling and less about fostering genuine equality. Under the eligibility guidelines, a loan recipient doesn’t even have to establish they or their family have been the victims of discrimination. It’s their race alone that deems them a victim of oppression, a common belief amongst progressives.

The program gives up to $150,000 in zero-interest loans for down payments and closing costs to first-time homebuyers who can trace their ancestry to people who lived in Washington before 1968 and belong to a specified marginalized racial group. You must be either black, Hispanic, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Korean or Asian Indian. Though Jews were subject to restrictive covenants, Democrats in the state legislature did not deem them worthy of access to their housing loan program. Jews are considered privileged white people by the Radical Left.

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What is the racist home loan program supposed to do?

The Washington State Housing Finance Commission, which handles administration for the Covenant Homeownership Program, claims the loans will help bridge the wealth gap created by discriminatory housing practices of the past. But is this really the solution, or is it just another layer of racial preference that excludes people based solely on the color of their skin?

One of the most troubling aspects of this program is its assumption that people today are victims of racism simply because their ancestors might have been. The idea that one’s eligibility for financial assistance should be tied to their race is as racist as the policies they claim made it less likely for these loan applicants to afford a home to begin with. It perpetuates the notion that people are defined by their racial background rather than their individual circumstances; that a poor white or Jewish family is still better off than a wealthy black or Hispanic family.

This program divides us further rather than bringing us together, creating resentment for those in need who are left out because they’re not from a demographic Democrats can exploit for political power. It’s no wonder why Democrats are struggling, especially nationally, amongst low-income working white families.

You don’t even have to show you’re the victim of racism

The program doesn’t require applicants to demonstrate that they’ve personally suffered from discrimination; their race is enough to qualify them. This not only undermines the principle of individual responsibility but also disregards the many non-minority families who have struggled to achieve homeownership due to financial hardships unrelated to race. By focusing solely on race, the Covenant Homeownership Program ignores the complex socio-economic factors that affect all potential homebuyers, regardless of their racial background.

Moreover, the criteria for eligibility are shockingly exclusionary.

If you’re a white family that’s struggled for generations to make ends meet in Battle Ground or Sultan, too bad. The program’s benefits are explicitly not for you. This is a program designed to benefit some at the expense of others based purely on the color of their skin—a notion that runs counter to the ideals of equality and fairness that should guide public policy.

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What’s the actual impact of the racist home loans program?

According to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, which operates the program, only 19 applicants had the loans closed (including 16 black and one Hispanic applicants). In a state with millions of residents, this hardly seems like a sweeping success. If the goal was to make a substantial impact on homeownership disparities, this program is clearly not the answer. Instead, it’s an expensive exercise in virtue signaling that will help a select few while doing little to address the broader issues at play.

There’s also a glaring problem with the racist home loans program. It makes it easier for a family to buy a home it can’t afford and benefits people who can afford a home without the interest-free loan.

Under the program, an applicant is eligible if they make up to the Area Median Income (AMI) of the county they’re purchasing a home in. If a household makes a combined $65,000 in King County (AMI $147,400), and has little in savings, it likely doesn’t make sense to purchase a home yet. If the household makes $147,000 and has a healthy savings account, they likely don’t even need the assistance, even if they’d like to have it (who wouldn’t?).

The program is also incredibly expensive. Each loan is worth up to $150,000, and while it’s interest-free, it still needs to be repaid eventually. But who’s footing the bill in the meantime? Washington taxpayers, many of whom will never qualify for this assistance because they don’t meet the program’s racial criteria. This is a redistribution of wealth based on race, plain and simple, and it’s both unfair and unsustainable.

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Home loans program based on racism to address past racism we assume impacted wealth

The justification for this racist home loans program rests on the idea that past discrimination has left minority groups without the generational wealth to buy homes today. While it’s true that discriminatory practices in the past have had lasting effects on some, it’s not fact for all. Generational wealth is also not mandatory for home ownership. And a solution should not be to create new forms of racial discrimination in the present.

Instead, we should focus on policies that help all low-income families, regardless of race, to achieve homeownership. Programs that offer financial education, credit counseling, and, to the extent necessary, assistance with down payments should be available to anyone who needs them, not just those who belong to a specific racial group that the politicians in power need to placate in order to stay in power.

Washington’s Covenant Homeownership Program is a misguided attempt to address historical wrongs through present-day racial preferences. In 50 years, will we need another program to undo the injustices this current program creates? True equality comes from treating everyone with fairness and respect, not by doling out benefits based on the color of one’s skin.

Washington State should rethink this program and instead focus on initiatives that help all families, regardless of race, achieve the American Dream of homeownership (I will admit that it’s at least refreshing that this program makes it harder for the Radical Left to claim home ownership is steeped in “white supremacy culture.”) The path to equality is not through exclusion, but through inclusivity (that other buzzword progressives love to throw around) that uplifts everyone.

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With three preseason games down, it’s time to starting culling the roster in advance of Washington’s first regular season game, against the Buccaneers. Below is my prediction of the final 53, and much of the practice squad.

Offense (24):

Quarterback (2):

In the first season of the Dan Quinn regime, the team gets a complete re-boot at the QB position. Thankfully, the rookie, Daniels, has looked the part of a starting NFL QB so far this season, and has won the job from seasoned veteran Marcus Mariota. If all goes according to plan, Mariota should serve primarily as a mentor for Daniels this year, and ride off into the sunset of retirement in 2025. For the time being, rookie Sam Hartman heads the practice squad, eventually being slotted in as QB2 next season.

Jayden Daniels

Marcus Mariota

Running Back (3):

I’m excited by the 1-2 punch of Robinson and Ekeler, and I think both could have great seasons this year. Beyond them, the team has some options. I lean towards UDFA Michael Wiley as RB3, as he’s shown some nice burst, and has solid hands out of the backfield. That said, I get the impression that veteran Jeremy McNichols may have the inside track for the role, with Wiley going to the practice squad. I think Chris Rodriguez could be cut altogether.

Brian Robinson

Austin Ekeler

Michael Wiley

Tight End (3):

There are only three tight ends on this roster worth keeping, but it could end up being a very good room, particularly if Ertz is healthy. Cole Turner and Colson Yankoff are potential practice squad candidates.

Zach Ertz

Ben Sinnott

John Bates

Offensive Line (9):

Washington’s offensive line has struck fear into the hearts of many fans. I certainly think this is a transition year for the unit, but I expect it to be in the average range by the end of the season.

Brandon Coleman

Nick Allegretti

Tyler Biadasz

Sam Cosmi

Andrew Wylie

Cornelius Lucas

Chris Paul

Ricky Stromberg

Trent Scott

Wide Receiver (7):

Washington’s WR room leaves a lot to be desired, on paper, and as of this writing, I’m still not sure Brandon Aiyuk doesn’t end up in DC before the season. If this group remains the final list, however, expect Kliff Kingsbury and Jayden Daniels to spread the ball around a ton.

Terry McLaurin

Dyami Brown

Olamide Zaccheaus

Luke McCaffrey

Byron Pringle

Kazmeir Allen

Jamison Crowder

Defense (26):

Last year’s biggest defensive weakness – linebacker – is probably this season’s greatest defensive strength, with the addition of Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu. The defensive line remains talented, and has added some interesting EDGE rushers, while the cornerbacks remain a concern.

Defensive End (6):

Dorance Armstrong

Dante Fowler

Clelin Ferrell

KJ Henry

Andre Jones

Javontae Jean-Baptiste

Defensive Tackle (5):

Jon Allen

Daron Payne

John Ridgeway

Johnny Newton

Benning Potoa’e

Linebacker (5):

Wagner and Luvu are great as starters, but beyond that, there are a lot of question marks. Magee, in particular, is likely to be out for several weeks, but will still require a roster spot initially.

Bobby Wagner

Frankie Luvu

Jamin Davis

Jordan Magee

Mykal Walker

Cornerback (5):

Will the team only carry 10 defensive backs? Seems a little thin, but I’m sticking with it.

Emmanuel Forbes

Benjamin St-Juste

Mike Sainristil

Tariq Castro-Fields

Chigozie Anusiem

Safety (5):

Quan Martin

Jeremy Chinn

Darrick Forrest

Jeremy Reaves

Tyler Owens

Special Teams (3):

I think Cade York played his way onto the roster last night with a solid performance, but I would be unsurprised if he’s not the kicker at the end of the season.

Cade York (K)

Tress Way (P)

Tyler Ott (LS)

Practice Squad:

Several of these players could potentially be poached, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them traded for late draft capital in advance of cutdowns, if Peters can make it happen.

Among those who I think will make the PS are:

• QB Sam Hartman
• RB Chris Rodriguez
• RB Jeremy McNichols
• DT Phil Mathis
• DT Norell Pollard
• S/LB Dominique Hampton
• S Percy Butler
• OT Armani Taylor-Prioleau
• CB Noah Igbinoghene
• TE Cole Turner
• WR Mitchell Tinsley
• WR Brycen Tremayne
• WR Martavis Bryant