Re: Armenian Race and Cultural Background
I agree with everything you said in this post, it makes more sense than the idea that Nazis actually attacked Armenia, they were just competing with the Russians for control over it and the rest of the Caucasus.
And I too don't think racism is something to be too proud of (though I think it is a naturally occurring phenomenon in us, whether we're conscious of it or not, and thus, we shouldn't be thrown into prison for expressing this in a free society), not because of a right or wrong issue, but because it impedes the individual from giving everyone and everything a chance, keeps them locked down to comply with a groupthink mentality to supports the homogeneity of the group. I believe that we as individuals need to let go of our phobia of "the other" if we ever want to understand and learn new skills, make friends beyond our ethnic domain, though we keep our connection to Armenia by sharing the wealth of knowledge and discovery we've gathered from the outside world with our community. Of course, we could also show the otars things from our culture that could be of inspiration to them as well, and I believe this exchange of knowledge, culture, openness is very useful, but it can only be achieved if we keep our inner racism in check.
I think the only limitations of this openness is when it comes to groups or people that seek to destroy us, assimilate us, etc... In this case, I think the most open thing we can do is acknowledge that they are human beings, though we cannot go beyond this to associate with them through exchanges in culture and learning because the hostile feelings block the way.
I am sure that if I had read this during times in my life where I was confused about what love was about and how it transcends physical, linguistic and cultural elements in people, I would have thought what I just wrote was hogwash, but now I think this way and I am happy with it. I think only lack of love can separate a people, and love can unite anyone (I'm not talking about romantic/sexual love, but love as peaceful interaction where feelings of empathy are definitely present). I find any kind of extremism will eliminate consciousness of this love in a people, and that's not healthy. I have lost a sense of comfort around certain friends in the past because of this, and I am sure that in the times I have acted with bold extremism in my talk, I shooed people away as well.
I agree with everything you said in this post, it makes more sense than the idea that Nazis actually attacked Armenia, they were just competing with the Russians for control over it and the rest of the Caucasus.
And I too don't think racism is something to be too proud of (though I think it is a naturally occurring phenomenon in us, whether we're conscious of it or not, and thus, we shouldn't be thrown into prison for expressing this in a free society), not because of a right or wrong issue, but because it impedes the individual from giving everyone and everything a chance, keeps them locked down to comply with a groupthink mentality to supports the homogeneity of the group. I believe that we as individuals need to let go of our phobia of "the other" if we ever want to understand and learn new skills, make friends beyond our ethnic domain, though we keep our connection to Armenia by sharing the wealth of knowledge and discovery we've gathered from the outside world with our community. Of course, we could also show the otars things from our culture that could be of inspiration to them as well, and I believe this exchange of knowledge, culture, openness is very useful, but it can only be achieved if we keep our inner racism in check.
I think the only limitations of this openness is when it comes to groups or people that seek to destroy us, assimilate us, etc... In this case, I think the most open thing we can do is acknowledge that they are human beings, though we cannot go beyond this to associate with them through exchanges in culture and learning because the hostile feelings block the way.
I am sure that if I had read this during times in my life where I was confused about what love was about and how it transcends physical, linguistic and cultural elements in people, I would have thought what I just wrote was hogwash, but now I think this way and I am happy with it. I think only lack of love can separate a people, and love can unite anyone (I'm not talking about romantic/sexual love, but love as peaceful interaction where feelings of empathy are definitely present). I find any kind of extremism will eliminate consciousness of this love in a people, and that's not healthy. I have lost a sense of comfort around certain friends in the past because of this, and I am sure that in the times I have acted with bold extremism in my talk, I shooed people away as well.
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