Election Depression
The following is a comment on an election monitor website. I want to respond to this here to elaborate on a point:
"i am tired of how things are becoming worse and worse for the rank and file. i mean, look I am in the US teaching and researching a painful period in our nation’s history and doing what we call an azganpast thing and i don’t even have a freaking house but domik of a joke to live in when i am in armenia even 19 years after the earthquake? i don’t know if i am doing the right thing anymore. why should i stay in armenia? or worse yet, why i should i bring my children to armenia where it seems the government just does not give shit about the people? i am really really tired and disappointed. if anyone has a better alternative drop me a note."
Since my response is not directed toward the commenter, rather the general sentiment it represents, I wont mention their name. This is truly a sad situation and common sentiment, I realize. But here's the thing. NO government in the world cares about its people. It's the people who hold their governments accountable to the people that see results, and even then, no one is ever satisfied but at least you have a functioning society. So giving up on the elections is going to get us no where fast and guarantee a failed democratic system.
There are a group of young activists organizing now who are taking a positive approach to changing their country and this is the only hope we have to doing something. I realize people are afraid of their government and that's a valid fear as we've seen what they do when people speak out. But it's when people stop protesting that they know these methods are effective. I don't have the answers on what will work other than being an observer, but I can say that running scared will guarantee this countries fate.
The blog this commenter was reacting to was covering the man who set himself on fire in protest in the Republic Square while a group of others protested in front of the Presidential Palace. It's obvious that the masses agree that we need change. If only they were able to organize in the masses. I hope people aren't too pessimistic to see the potential in that.
"i am tired of how things are becoming worse and worse for the rank and file. i mean, look I am in the US teaching and researching a painful period in our nation’s history and doing what we call an azganpast thing and i don’t even have a freaking house but domik of a joke to live in when i am in armenia even 19 years after the earthquake? i don’t know if i am doing the right thing anymore. why should i stay in armenia? or worse yet, why i should i bring my children to armenia where it seems the government just does not give shit about the people? i am really really tired and disappointed. if anyone has a better alternative drop me a note."
Since my response is not directed toward the commenter, rather the general sentiment it represents, I wont mention their name. This is truly a sad situation and common sentiment, I realize. But here's the thing. NO government in the world cares about its people. It's the people who hold their governments accountable to the people that see results, and even then, no one is ever satisfied but at least you have a functioning society. So giving up on the elections is going to get us no where fast and guarantee a failed democratic system.
There are a group of young activists organizing now who are taking a positive approach to changing their country and this is the only hope we have to doing something. I realize people are afraid of their government and that's a valid fear as we've seen what they do when people speak out. But it's when people stop protesting that they know these methods are effective. I don't have the answers on what will work other than being an observer, but I can say that running scared will guarantee this countries fate.
The blog this commenter was reacting to was covering the man who set himself on fire in protest in the Republic Square while a group of others protested in front of the Presidential Palace. It's obvious that the masses agree that we need change. If only they were able to organize in the masses. I hope people aren't too pessimistic to see the potential in that.
posted by Arsineh at 12:01 PM
6 Comments:
Arsineh, firstly, bear in mind that you and others are "fresh off the boat" and so on, although don't doubt that some of the others have their down days, as I'm sure do you.
One can only hope that more and more people will take an active role in changing things here, but we're not there yet, although efforts to get people to value their votes and actually use them are underway.
Whether it all will work, who knows, and then, if it doesn't, what then? Anyway, we shall see, but it will be a long process that will have many ups and downs along the way.
I mean, we're not even in campaign season yet.
I assume the post you were referring to was this one.
Arsineh,
It is not an election depression. It is a depression that has been building up since 1988.
I enjoy reading your posts and mostly agree with your thinking.I admire your political activism and strong belief that things will get better if the masses wake up, get organized, and demand accountability from their government. (I myself very often argue that if every single person decides to get involved and demand justice, things will get better). I understand that's the only way to go. I have been very active since hight school and, unfortunately have managed to learn (in a hard way)some things over the recent years.
It is hard to expect persistent political activism from people who for two decades have been struggling to provide food for their families, who have seen many intimidations and threats, who have seen their vote stolen one election after another. (e.g. I remember me standing in the line, with an enthusiasm and pride that finally I am old enough to vote, then I hear that a group of masked thugs had come and stolen the ballot boxes and staffed it with their crap).
The situation is extremely BAD in the regions. Thugs and thief rule there (as everywhere else in this country). If you dare speak out, you jeopardize the well-being of your entire family. The regional media is a joke. They are too scared to cover anything that will upset the local "powerfuls." The national media (as well as online news, blogs, and discussion forums) just ignore the existence of the Marzes. Yerevan equals Armenia. If the poor in Yerevan at least see some progress, the people from Marzes don't see any change that will give them any hope. I believe it is a lot scarier to be a politically active local, than it is for the foreigners and diasporans. Maybe this is the explanation why there are so few local bloggers that are critical of the current system. As Raffi N. said in his recent post, when you have a family to take care of, their safety comes first. What if you don't have a foreign passport to fly out of the country any time you say something that might upset some corrupt official? We need heroes, but do I want to be a hero if it means risking the well-being and security of my children and family?
Nanul
Beleive me I realize all of this and am starting to learn the threats people face as I'm watching my first election process begin here. I suppose my thinking is simply this: Is your freedom worth the risk? Family is another thing, but I and many others don't have families. And if you don't keep trying, you can expect certain fraud. It's not easy, achieving freedom never is. I certainly can't tell people they should risk their lives or the lives of others, and I certainly don't know what it's like to witness my vote being stolen, though I have my suspicions about my vote counting in the last US presidential elections. But those who can fight NEED to fight. Not should, but NEED to fight in order to make an impact. Otherwise, Armenia is destined to experience more of the same.
Nanul, the CRD/TI Armenia blog will be looking to get people posting from the regions. Indeed, we've had a number of meetings with organizations in Armenia to arrange facilitating access to computers and the internet where they are, and we'll be trying to get blogs established there.
However, otherwise you're generally right, but I hope that will change soon.
I was reading an article in this weeks Armenia Now that talked about an open invitation by Transparency International to diaspora Armenians to come to Armenia and play a role in making Armenia’s elections fairer. I was wondering what people thought about this. You can read the article following this link:
http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&AID=2034&lng=eng&IID=1122
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