Tweet
With a large Diaspora, as a result of our turbulent past, we have had to face the many problems that come with this. One problem being the divisions amongst us that have set us apart in some ways (e.g. American Armenian, Armenian from Armenia, Lebanon Armenians, and so on). However, a more visible and more dangerous problem in my eyes has been assimilation, especially into immigrant countries such as America and Canada.
In countries like France and Russia, assimilation can still happen but it’s much harder for it to occur as there a dominant ethnic group is established and there exists the notion of having “native blood” which immigrants will never have. Look at the Turkish immigrants in Germany where even the ones that are 3rd or 4th generation have upheld their Turkish identity and many still marry within their ethnic group. Many hold allegiance to Turkey not Germany even though they have been there for generations.
Now to America, which was established as a immigrant country where immigrants of any background could come and very easily be “American”. There was and is no such thing as having American blood. This is what made America successful; a melting pot of different minds, cultures, and so on. So first what is this “American identity”? In my eyes, being American is holding an American mindset and being in tune with the culture of the country; and most importantly having allegiance to America over any other country including that person’s country of origin. For example, an immigrant from France is asked the question, if USA and France were at war, and you had to fight, who would you fight for? If USA is the answer the person is American, and if France than not American.
Throughout our history, we have been engaged in a constant struggle to sustain our religion, our language, and of course our lands. We have sacrificed so much in order to be able to call ourselves “Armenians” today, and given our history it’s an incredible accomplishment we shouldn’t ever forget. Now if our heroes spilled their blood and gave their lives for this identity, then what motivates Armenians today to give in so easily and surrender their identity, more than any war or massacre did to our forefathers? There are a few elements to this assimilation that I must mention. One is language, which in my opinion is one of the most important factors. Armenians not knowing Armenian immediately distances themselves from the Armenian race, and with this it becomes much easier for an Armenian to feel closer to the American group. Knowing Armenian from a young age is instrumental in fighting the forces of assimilation. Another is the lack of connection or knowledge of Armenia itself. This can be a lack of knowledge in terms of history, or in current political events.
It’s important every Armenian regardless of background to have allegiance and at least a fundamental connection to the homeland. It’s not enough to only be Armenian if there some international heritage gathering. Or to think that you are Armenian only by name or blood, and you don’t have to do anything or have any knowledge to sustain that.
Many surrender the sacred Armenian identity for the contemporary American culture which is very low quality, degrading, and at times just blatantly disgusting. Just look at some of the people that are idolized in the “pop culture” and how many people try to be like them. How promiscuity and sex have become so forefront to a point it degrades women to such a low point. Again it’s not enough to be Armenian by just saying “oh I’m Armenian” when asked such a question; there’s a much more and people often forget that any identity comes with expectation of culture and mindset. And as more and more families come from Armenia and have children in these immigrant countries, the assimilation accelerates and we lose our precious people to the American melting pot. They marry non-Armenians, and the children marry non-Armenians, and then that’s it.
It is hard for me to put all my feelings regarding this in one piece of writing, but I just want to get the conversation started. How can we battle such assimilation? Really, that’s in the hands of the parents and how they raise their children. And to lesser extent the children themselves in recognizing the awfulness of this assimilation and avoiding it. What can I say, hayer jan, please avoid assimilation, please sustain your Armenian identity, have always allegiance to Armenia overall including the place you live. Remember your forefathers, the sacrifices of the Armenian people, and the fragility of our race; yes even a few people can make a difference. God give strength to Armenia and our people.
ՄԵԿ ԱԶԳ, ՄԵԿ ՄՇԱԿՈՒՅԹ
Մովսես
In countries like France and Russia, assimilation can still happen but it’s much harder for it to occur as there a dominant ethnic group is established and there exists the notion of having “native blood” which immigrants will never have. Look at the Turkish immigrants in Germany where even the ones that are 3rd or 4th generation have upheld their Turkish identity and many still marry within their ethnic group. Many hold allegiance to Turkey not Germany even though they have been there for generations.
Now to America, which was established as a immigrant country where immigrants of any background could come and very easily be “American”. There was and is no such thing as having American blood. This is what made America successful; a melting pot of different minds, cultures, and so on. So first what is this “American identity”? In my eyes, being American is holding an American mindset and being in tune with the culture of the country; and most importantly having allegiance to America over any other country including that person’s country of origin. For example, an immigrant from France is asked the question, if USA and France were at war, and you had to fight, who would you fight for? If USA is the answer the person is American, and if France than not American.
Throughout our history, we have been engaged in a constant struggle to sustain our religion, our language, and of course our lands. We have sacrificed so much in order to be able to call ourselves “Armenians” today, and given our history it’s an incredible accomplishment we shouldn’t ever forget. Now if our heroes spilled their blood and gave their lives for this identity, then what motivates Armenians today to give in so easily and surrender their identity, more than any war or massacre did to our forefathers? There are a few elements to this assimilation that I must mention. One is language, which in my opinion is one of the most important factors. Armenians not knowing Armenian immediately distances themselves from the Armenian race, and with this it becomes much easier for an Armenian to feel closer to the American group. Knowing Armenian from a young age is instrumental in fighting the forces of assimilation. Another is the lack of connection or knowledge of Armenia itself. This can be a lack of knowledge in terms of history, or in current political events.
It’s important every Armenian regardless of background to have allegiance and at least a fundamental connection to the homeland. It’s not enough to only be Armenian if there some international heritage gathering. Or to think that you are Armenian only by name or blood, and you don’t have to do anything or have any knowledge to sustain that.
Many surrender the sacred Armenian identity for the contemporary American culture which is very low quality, degrading, and at times just blatantly disgusting. Just look at some of the people that are idolized in the “pop culture” and how many people try to be like them. How promiscuity and sex have become so forefront to a point it degrades women to such a low point. Again it’s not enough to be Armenian by just saying “oh I’m Armenian” when asked such a question; there’s a much more and people often forget that any identity comes with expectation of culture and mindset. And as more and more families come from Armenia and have children in these immigrant countries, the assimilation accelerates and we lose our precious people to the American melting pot. They marry non-Armenians, and the children marry non-Armenians, and then that’s it.
It is hard for me to put all my feelings regarding this in one piece of writing, but I just want to get the conversation started. How can we battle such assimilation? Really, that’s in the hands of the parents and how they raise their children. And to lesser extent the children themselves in recognizing the awfulness of this assimilation and avoiding it. What can I say, hayer jan, please avoid assimilation, please sustain your Armenian identity, have always allegiance to Armenia overall including the place you live. Remember your forefathers, the sacrifices of the Armenian people, and the fragility of our race; yes even a few people can make a difference. God give strength to Armenia and our people.
ՄԵԿ ԱԶԳ, ՄԵԿ ՄՇԱԿՈՒՅԹ
Մովսես
Comment