We are one... or are we?
What's up with all the anonymous commenters?
To start, I am all for constructive criticism, but what I read in the comments to my log about "Can't have one without the other" was disturbing. It sort of reminds me of our history; every time one melikdom (is the such a word?) rises to power the other tries to bring them down - no need for Arabs and Turks or Persians, we could crumble our own system, thank you!
I mean who can really prove what the Diaspora really contributed, physically or financially? and who can honestly say where the assistance went (in some peoples pockets or to the cause?). So there are faults and successes everywhere. What we really should focus on is the common points, like how can we pressure international powers to finally recognize Karabagh as a Republic or even as part of Armenia - after all it is considered ours either way.
I would like to see some comments on what types of means should all the parties (Armenia, Karabagh and the Diaspora) use to convince the world that this is not invaded land but reclaimed.
Instead of bickering on who fought with guns and who supported with money and lobbying, let's discuss Javakhk, Nakhijevan and Western Armenia. I mean are we really ready to stand by any of these lands in the case of retribution or another victory?
Unfortunately I am not that optimistic about the united front, not only because of the comments you write, but because these comments reflect a bitter reality that lies within all Armenian communities – note, I am not individualizing the problem as much as pointing my fingers at communities, organizations and “doctrinised” Armenian institutions.
To start, I am all for constructive criticism, but what I read in the comments to my log about "Can't have one without the other" was disturbing. It sort of reminds me of our history; every time one melikdom (is the such a word?) rises to power the other tries to bring them down - no need for Arabs and Turks or Persians, we could crumble our own system, thank you!
I mean who can really prove what the Diaspora really contributed, physically or financially? and who can honestly say where the assistance went (in some peoples pockets or to the cause?). So there are faults and successes everywhere. What we really should focus on is the common points, like how can we pressure international powers to finally recognize Karabagh as a Republic or even as part of Armenia - after all it is considered ours either way.
I would like to see some comments on what types of means should all the parties (Armenia, Karabagh and the Diaspora) use to convince the world that this is not invaded land but reclaimed.
Instead of bickering on who fought with guns and who supported with money and lobbying, let's discuss Javakhk, Nakhijevan and Western Armenia. I mean are we really ready to stand by any of these lands in the case of retribution or another victory?
Unfortunately I am not that optimistic about the united front, not only because of the comments you write, but because these comments reflect a bitter reality that lies within all Armenian communities – note, I am not individualizing the problem as much as pointing my fingers at communities, organizations and “doctrinised” Armenian institutions.
posted by Raffi N at 1:02 AM
10 Comments:
Any topic that even remotely is associated with Diaspora-Armenia relationship soon deteriorates into a fight over dual citizenship.
That's the only reason I am for allowing it. Hopefully when there is an option of getting an Armenian citizenship, all this bickering will stop.
A dear family friend wrote this entry before she past away. I would like to sadly share it with the world, if I may.
http://asawomanseesit.blogspot.com/2004/11/our-own-enemies.html
How about Diasporans that only care about getting the Genocide recognized ( which is not a negative) and do not care about what is happening in Armenia today? I met such a character yesterday (talk about the need to have a united front). I never knew people with this sentiment existed! This individual explained how Armenia is not his Armenia and he has no desire to go there, etc. I was so disgusted.
When I look at the map i see Karabagh is not a republic nor part of Armenia. Maybe it should be historically speaking, but the borders are there. In (ex) Yugoslavia every nation that lived there thought that the borders are not fair, and what happened - a new war with hundreds of thousands of dead. (I live in Croatia). Sure, I know that Armenian borders are not fair, but claiming that those borders should be changed is not good for your future, and the stability of your republic.
Good point, Shelley. They turn a blind eye to all the s**t happening in Armenia and applaud its corrupt, dishonest and murderous rulers because of their false nationalist (i.e., anti-Turkish) rhetoric. This country is simply not theirs. They prefer to live with their fairy tales about united Armenia. I think this blogger's ridiculous point about the need to reclaim Javakhk, Nakhijevan and Western Armenia (as if we have enough people to populate the territories under our control) is very characteristic of wider diaspora sentiment. Real Armenia is very different from an imaginary one. It requires constant care and serious material sacrifices. Most diasporans are not prepared for that. After all, getting a town council in Idaho or Alabama to recognize the genocide is much easier than fighting for democracy and justice in Armenia.
As for the issue of Armenian citizenship, Nazarian, the diasporans do have such an option. All they have to do is to abandon their US or European citizenship, move to Armenia and apply for an Armenian passport. This is what people like Vartan Oskanian and Raffi Hovannesian have done.
We are too proud, and judgemental. That is our problem as Armenians! "Armenian" diaspora is not so much a race ,its more a way of life.
Diaspora events always make me angry.
When barekamutiun dance group came to london last month, I was late, and as I walked in , the stares began, the mothers turning to their kids "why is he here, hes not Armenian " or some new Hayastanci guys would begin to giggle, (like they do so well!)
The reason they do this is because I look "British", my mum is British.
This made me so angry, I actually had to turn my back on the music of Sayat Nova and leave the building- and I will never attend a diaspora event again.
The problem is we do have an internal body that nags at us saying "how armenian are you?" "are you better than this armenian?" "how good is your armenian?" "is his armenian better than yours? "
It's a big Armenian insecurity, because we hold ourselves so "highly" we have to make sure others are holding the "Armenian name" up too.
Different people do it in different ways, some people I know have ararat tattoed on their arm, some people have an email address that says "hye4ever", some people run Armenian youth groups (along with their sister, and a their family..etc) and I have an Armenian flag sewn on my rucksack:)
ps. I also hate the term Hayastanci, and Spyurkaye. I hope one day we are all Hayastanci.
Hayastansi-
Are Armenians who left Hayastan during the Karabagh war and did not serve in the army considered "Diasporans" now? If they are not considered Diasporans, would you give them back their Armenian citizenship if they wanted it back even thought they didn't serve? Also, what if these people were women? Do women have to serve?
Also, what is Armenia's policy with regards to giving Armenian citizenship to Karabaghsi's who fought in the war? How have Karabaghsi's been treated in Yerevan at the Nairi Hotel in exchange for them fighting in the war?
I agree about the different terms used to put Armenians into "categories"! However, I also agree with the need to reclaim OUR lands. Everyone should read the link posted by lori. It depicts exactly the sentiment I encountered the other day.
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