Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

[yerazhishda]

Re: Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

Awesome rant!

I have a niece about 17 years old who just came back from Camp Hayastan...I want you to marry her. What do you think? We could be khunamees!

Btw, to answer your question about repatriating...I have taken steps toward that by buying an apartment in Yerevan. I'm thinking that in about five years (when my son is ready to go to school), I'll move.

Moving permanently to Armenia will have its difficulties for me (although, for the most part, I do love it there), but I'll be damned if my son grows grows up as a vacuous Armenian-American who has no real concept of his culture and language..

Thanks man!

Hey man I'm just looking for a nice Hye girl that cares about something beyond the consumer-culture that America forces upon you. And if she can bake hatzig and cook me lamejun that's a plus as well. I can see it now - playing guitar, speaking about Armenia, and all the while smoking a nice bowl!

I think you have a very good plan in place - obviously I've never encountered an Armenian from New England who was this forward-thinking in terms of repatriation. I think it is to the benefit of Armenians that can to escape the spiritual and economic sewer of America and go back to their Mother.

How do you feel about leaving family behind?

That's exactly the word I was looking for to describe a large portion of the Diaspora - vacuous. This is not totally their fault as they (as well as most Americans) have been brought up to be hostile to actually thinking. I'm not talking about what specific ideology you have, because in a sense that's not thought either. I'm talking in a more general sense that is beyond just their Armenian-ness - it also encompasses being hostile to the questions of philosophy as a whole. However, their ignorance of and hostility toward thinking and philosophy necessarily results in their refusing to learn Armenian language and culture.

[yerazhishda]

Re: Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

Crusader, enlarge my vocabulary: what is a khunamee? (Ի՞նչ խունամի մըն է: )

[crusader1492]

Re: Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

...


I think you have a very good plan in place - obviously I've never encountered an Armenian from New England who was this forward-thinking in terms of repatriation. I think it is to the benefit of Armenians that can to escape the spiritual and economic sewer of America and go back to their Mother.

Unfortunately, I'm the only one I know too. Even the hardcore ARFers I know wouldn't even think of it. Hell, most of them have not even visited Armenia yet...but they're Rhode Islanders - traveling more than 30 minutes is asking too much

How do you feel about leaving family behind?

I feel fine about it. They can live there life and I can live mine. Anyway, they are only a plane ride away.

That's exactly the word I was looking for to describe a large portion of the Diaspora - vacuous. This is not totally their fault as they (as well as most Americans) have been brought up to be hostile to actually thinking. I'm not talking about what specific ideology you have, because in a sense that's not thought either. I'm talking in a more general sense that is beyond just their Armenian-ness - it also encompasses being hostile to the questions of philosophy as a whole. However, their ignorance of and hostility toward thinking and philosophy necessarily results in their refusing to learn Armenian language and culture.

Never mind the diaspora being hostile to learning...I think it is a pride thing (or lack-there-of). In short, many American-Armenians have a subconscious inferiority complex concerning where they came from. They are mostly victims of American cultural chauvinism...it's easier to give in than to fight it.

[crusader1492]

Re: Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

Crusader, enlarge my vocabulary: what is a khunamee? (Ի՞նչ խունամի մըն է: )

It's basically the family of you spouse. For example, my wife's grandmother or first cousin is my khunamee.

Btw, for anyone else reading this: If I'm wrong, let me know.

[yerazhishda]

Re: Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

Unfortunately, I'm the only one I know too. Even the hardcore ARFers I know wouldn't even think of it. Hell, most of them have not even visited Armenia yet...but they're Rhode Islanders - traveling more than 30 minutes is asking too much

I'm surprised that even ARF members wouldn't seriously consider it - what do they think their prupose is anyway?

I can remember one time that my family had to go to Warwick. I heard my sister saying, "We're going to Warwick? Oh, better pack a lunch."

I feel fine about it. They can live there life and I can live mine. Anyway, they are only a plane ride away.

Don't plane rides cost more if you're using the Dram than if you're using the Dollar? What do you do, save up money in the US if you want to take a trip to see your family? For me this is a major issue that I may have to grapple with in the future.

Never mind the diaspora being hostile to learning...I think it is a pride thing (or lack-there-of). In short, many American-Armenians have a subconscious inferiority complex concerning where they came from. They are mostly victims of American cultural chauvinism...it's easier to give in than to fight it.

You're right. I'm not sure if anyone else feels this way but for me it seems that I have to be "convinced" that it is right to be proud of America while on the other hand being proud to be Armenian comes from the heart and is not forced.

[TomServo]

Re: Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

What do you mean by "feel good," Yeraz?

[yerazhishda]

Re: Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

What do you mean by "feel good," Yeraz?

What I mean when I say "feel good" really refers to a certain mindset among Armenian-Americans. These types of Armenians will refuse to learn the language, or even if both parents speak, will consciously refuse to teach their children Armenian because, it "won't help them in real life". The mindset throughout is: it's OK to be Armenian in America but we wouldn't have you actually do anything productive over there! The feel-good Armenians are making the conscious decision for themselves and their progeny to stay Diasporans.

Hope this helps.

[Federate]

Re: Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

It's basically the family of you spouse. For example, my wife's grandmother or first cousin is my khunamee.

Btw, for anyone else reading this: If I'm wrong, let me know.

It's often used very loosely and can mean close family friends as well.

[Armanen]

Re: Long in diaspora, Armenians return home

Well yeraz I mostly agree with you, and although you still do not fall into the "nationalist" fold I can see that you also do not fall into the "braindead" uber consumerist fold either. I would highly encourage you to visit Armenia for at least a month as soon as you are able to. You will discover more about yourself and what you want to do with your "Armenianess" and Armenia then if you didn't go.