The Diaspora

[ace]

Well, at this point, I guess I am a "legal diaspora" Armenian. But I dont really consider myself one 'cause I share just as much, if not more, nationalism than most Armenians in the republic - and we're going to move back to Armenia soon, - as opposed to some of my diaspora friends who are quite the opposite of me.

What are your thoughts on the diaspora? Politically, socially, culturally? Will the diaspora survive?

From personal experiences, I am for the most part disgusted by the diaspora (I dont want to offend anybody, this is just my opionin). They've lost all interest in rebuilding our nation, have absolutly no involvement in Armenian politics, for the most part they know not one letter out of our alphabet, nor can they read or write, and they know nothing about our history - and show no interest in learning it, or teaching their kids.

The very few that however due show SLIGHT interest in the republic, often times have this mentallity: "let whoever is trying to re-build Armenia do it, if he succeeds, Ill go back, if not, ehh xxxx it, I can be rich in America." Other than that, I rarely come across any nationalistic diasporians (especially teenagers).

I think the one LAST thing holding these Armenians faithful to our cause, is the Genocide. Their OBSESSED with the Genocide - and most of the time, their under the misconception that once in awhile saying "xxxx turks" or holding up a picket sign saying "recognize the genocide" makes them "Armenian" and is helping our people.

Ironically, alot of these people don't speak Armenian, dont read/write in Armenian, and know NOTHING else - besides the Genocide - falling victim to original Turkish intentions of wiping our culture off the face of the map.

I have met some VERY good diasporians however (usually much older) that I think people need to hear and people that I'm personally inspired by.

I also think whatever is left of our nationalistic diaspora is a key figure in rebuilding Armenia. It influences what other nations policies towards Armenia (like France and such) - and i think their our most valuable weapon. But, unfortuently, I dont see our diaspora surviving much longer - within 2-3 generations, our diaspora will have fully been incorporated into their host societies - seperating them from Armenian causes - which will have the greatest affect on us.

Most of u guys make up our diaspora, whatta u think?

[TomServo]

Re: The Diaspora

I still think you're full of it.

[Che_Ka]

Re: The Diaspora

Only under extreme circumstances will a Diaspora community be able to successfully battle assimilation.

I'm not sure if any of our communities are under the necessary circumstances to thwart the forces of assimilation. The closest is Iran, where the rate of assimilation is very low, if it exists at all. Next is Lebanon/Syria, but the rate of assimilation has increased in recent years.

(I've always wondered -- if we got a big Armenian community to develop in Japan or China, would we be able to thwart assimilation? We would be physically different from the majority and we would be religiously different -- would that be enough, as it seems to be in the Middle East?)

In Western countries (Europe, North & South America, Russia), it is probably impossible to maintain a Diaspora community. The best we can do is delay assimilation as long as possible. But then what's the point if we know the Diaspora is doomed?

It's a horrible thing to think about. I get really depressed about this topic when I think about it...

[TomServo]

Re: The Diaspora

Physically different? Ask an Armenian-Ethiopian about that one.

[Che_Ka]

Re: The Diaspora

I meant the combination of physical and religious differences.

Ethiopians and Armenians share religions, almost literally.

As for Indian-Armenians, I'm not sure if Armenians intermarried with Christian Indians or Hindus. In either case, the Armenian community in India was never large or concentrated enough to sustain itself.

[TomServo]

Re: The Diaspora

You're right about the religion part. How silly of me to forget.

[TomServo]

Armenians in Calcutta

The Armenians followed the land route through Bactria to trade with India from ancient times. They were known as the "Merchant Princes of India", and some settled in Emperor Akbar's court. Some finally settled in Serampore and Kolkata, supposedly under the invitation of Job Charnock. Among notable Armenians, Sir A. Apcar was the head of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, and Arratoon Stephen built the Grand Hotel. The size of the Armenian community can be testified by the five Armenian cemeteries in Kolkata, including the one adjunct to the Chapel of Holy Trinity in Tangra. A gift of Rs. 8000 by Aswatoor Mooradkhan helped found the Armenian Philanthropist Academy in 1821, which later became the still running Armenian College. Armenian College has been instrumental in pioneering the game of rugby on the Maidan turf. The Armenians settled in a block close to Free School Street, which even to this day is called Armani-para ("the neighbourhood of the Armenians"). They have mostly assimilated into the Indian population, and the community has now been reduced to a handful of houses.

[Thai-Samurai]

Re: The Diaspora

have fun moving back and living in Armenia, I wish you good luck. And spread some of that patriotism for me.

[ace]

Re: The Diaspora

Only under extreme circumstances will a Diaspora community be able to successfully battle assimilation.

I'm not sure if any of our communities are under the necessary circumstances to thwart the forces of assimilation. The closest is Iran, where the rate of assimilation is very low, if it exists at all. Next is Lebanon/Syria, but the rate of assimilation has increased in recent years.

(I've always wondered -- if we got a big Armenian community to develop in Japan or China, would we be able to thwart assimilation? We would be physically different from the majority and we would be religiously different -- would that be enough, as it seems to be in the Middle East?)

In Western countries (Europe, North & South America, Russia), it is probably impossible to maintain a Diaspora community. The best we can do is delay assimilation as long as possible. But then what's the point if we know the Diaspora is doomed?

It's a horrible thing to think about. I get really depressed about this topic when I think about it...

I think, unlike the xxxs, Armenians are embraced because we're Christian (in America and Europe atleast) - thats why in the middle east - theirs less assimilations - cause they live amongst muslims.

I think we need to seperate ourselves from the people we live with any and every way we can. Appearently, language and ethnicity isn't enough.

[rostom]

Re: The Diaspora

Ace, you seem to have a very pesimistic view of the Diaspora. I really don't think its as bad as you make it sound. Look at all the Armenian organizations throughout the US which contribute to rebuilding Armenia: Armenia Fund, Armenia Tree Project, Armenian Eye Care Project, to name just a few. Also, just about every other Armenian organization in the US makes it a point to help out Armenia in one way or another (i.e. fundraisers, food banks, etc.)

Also, its not just a matter of contributing or rebuilding the homeland that will keep the Diaspora, or even Armenians in general, alive. There are artists, singers, writers, poets, and other individuals and organizations in the Diaspora which contribute to the Armenian people culturally. This is certainly the right direction because without these we would have no substance as a people.

I can't disagree with you that there are many individuals who have lost interest....and more so in the younger groups. But that is the case with any diaspora...you can't expect to have everyone stay true to their azg.

Look at the Chinatowns in some of the older cities such as San Francisco or Boston. Or the xxxish neighborhoods in some cities. They have been around for 100+ years and still going strong. And we will too.

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rostom
www.hayk.net