So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a Down?

[kashiangal]

Today I was talking with a co-worker and I mentioned that I specialize (I have a degree in history) in the Armenian genocides. Another co-worker overheard us and said something that prompted me to say, "I'm Armenian." Then he asked if I knew that System of a Down was Armenian. After I told him I already knew that he began explaining Turkey's relationship to Armenia to me. And telling me about System of a Down.
Excuse me, I just finished saying that I have a history degree and I specialize in the Armenian genocides. I think I know what the relationship between Armenians and Turks is like.
I'm sorry I'm just a little ticked off that this guy was trying to tell me what it is to be Armenian. Oh, he's an expert because he listens to System of a Down. This is the first time I've ever encountered a non-Armenian who has tried to tell me what it is like to be Armenian. I'll listen to an Armenian in regards to the culture and religion.
Usually System of a Down fans will ask me questions, not try to inform me about my own heritage. Has anyone ever encounter such a situation?

[Haykakan]

Re: So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a D

That is funny man. The only nonarmenians who do that seem to be the turcks in my own experience.Man i can only imagine what you were thinking while that idiot was babbling away after you said what you said lol.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a D

Today I was talking with a co-worker and I mentioned that I specialize (I have a degree in history) in the Armenian genocides. Another co-worker overheard us and said something that prompted me to say, "I'm Armenian." Then he asked if I knew that System of a Down was Armenian. After I told him I already knew that he began explaining Turkey's relationship to Armenia to me. And telling me about System of a Down.
Excuse me, I just finished saying that I have a history degree and I specialize in the Armenian genocides. I think I know what the relationship between Armenians and Turks is like.
I'm sorry I'm just a little ticked off that this guy was trying to tell me what it is to be Armenian. Oh, he's an expert because he listens to System of a Down. This is the first time I've ever encountered a non-Armenian who has tried to tell me what it is like to be Armenian. I'll listen to an Armenian in regards to the culture and religion.
Usually System of a Down fans will ask me questions, not try to inform me about my own heritage. Has anyone ever encounter such a situation?

You are exhibiting what sees to be a distinctly racist attitude, and one that is not actually compatible with being an historian. You seem to be saying that only an Armenian can understand and write about Armenian culture or religion. I don't know if that is really your opinion, but if it is then you will probably enjoy minor recognition amongst the Armenian diaspora and nobody else will read a word you write.
Do you think a German-American would be annoyed at some non-German talking about Weimar Germany on the basis of what he saw in the film "Cabaret" - annoyed not because a film isn't exactly the best history teacher but because the opinions were from a non-German!

[konachan]

Re: So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a D

I only like one song from System of a Down.
Other than that, I detest Nu Metal.

[kashiangal]

Re: So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a D

In regards to Bell-the-cat, I'll admit that "This is the first time I've ever encountered a non-Armenian who has tried to tell me what it is like to be Armenian. I'll listen to an Armenian in regards to the culture and religion," makes me sound like a racist. When I wrote it didn't occur to me that it would come across that way.
I guess what I meant to say is that I'll listen to anyone that knows more about the culture and religion than I do, because there's still a lot I would like to know. But since most people don't know what an Armenian is the only people around to learn from are Armenians. I have read some history books written by non-Armenians. The value I place on those books depends on the knowledge those books give me. Actually, now that I think about it some of the most informative pieces I have come across so far weren't written by Armenians at all, but by American missionaries.
What annoyed about that 19 year old kid was that his only credential was that he listens to System of a Down. If he had mentioned reading books or watching documentaries on the subject than it would be a different story.

[Eddo211]

Re: So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a D

Today I was talking with a co-worker and I mentioned that I specialize (I have a degree in history) in the Armenian genocides. Another co-worker overheard us and said something that prompted me to say, "I'm Armenian." Then he asked if I knew that System of a Down was Armenian. After I told him I already knew that he began explaining Turkey's relationship to Armenia to me. And telling me about System of a Down.
Excuse me, I just finished saying that I have a history degree and I specialize in the Armenian genocides. I think I know what the relationship between Armenians and Turks is like.
I'm sorry I'm just a little ticked off that this guy was trying to tell me what it is to be Armenian. Oh, he's an expert because he listens to System of a Down. This is the first time I've ever encountered a non-Armenian who has tried to tell me what it is like to be Armenian. I'll listen to an Armenian in regards to the culture and religion.
Usually System of a Down fans will ask me questions, not try to inform me about my own heritage. Has anyone ever encounter such a situation?

Hi Kashiangal

I know the feeling. Normally in a situation like that I will intervene and politely explain in short what is really happening without sounding too biased.
Don’t let it bother you too much, no big deal….

BTW, SOAD Rocks

Hey Cats, why are you twisting her words and calling her a racist? This says a lot about your own character.

[Crimson Glow]

Re: So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a D

SOAD has been both a blessing, and a curse. On the rare occasion someone has heard of us around here, half the time I get "oh, Armenian like SOAD?!?!" Yes, asswipe. "Armenian like SOAD".

Last year, when I was asking if someone with deep, extensive knowledge of the Armenian genocide could proofread my essay before I started plastering it all over the forums I frequent, I got no help here, so I got desperate and tried the SOADfans.com website. Several said they'd be willing to read, but none of them had a clue about the extent of details I had written. When I finally posted it as its own thread, the clueless masses all chimed in to thank me for breaking down exactly what happened so that they finally understood what they were blindly following (just because their idols told them to).

This is not a unique phenomenon in American culture. It is the land of the "ignorant experts", as I've coined it. They read an article, hear an infomercial, watch a movie, take one class, etc. and suddenly, they're an expert on any given subject. I deal with it every day at work (I manage a nutritional supplement store). Half the people come in thinking they know more than me about proteins, pre-workout formulas, etc. because they read something somewhere, or a friend told them "all about how this stuff works". Same applies for music. SOAD fans are Armenian experts just because they listen to SOAD, Tool fans are "super intelligent" because they listen to Tool, and so on.

[Sako]

Re: So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a D

What annoyed about that 19 year old kid was that his only credential was that he listens to System of a Down.

Lol, I know what that feels like. Describing Armenia and it's history to people from different places sometimes takes place in very strange ways. My story is a bit different though.

In India, America, etc. most of the time, whenever I said I was Armenian, everyone understood that I was ROmanian. Armenia doesn't really exist it seems. Many don't know about her although they DEFINITELY know about her people, not realizing who they are or where they are from. Me and my little sis being the only Armenians in a school filled with 500 kids, sometimes more, has it's good and bad sides, lol, .

[One-Way]

Re: So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a D

I could care less about System of a Down.

[Sako]

Re: So you think you're an expert about Armenians because you listen to System of a D

With you there brother. Some of their songs are good but I don't like them as a band or anything. Neither do I hate them.