What is it about America?

[HyeJinx1984]

As always we're talking about how Armenians nowadays are giving up their pride and giving into the dasterdly ways of modern "don't give a sh*t"ism... but is it all Diasporans or just those that end up in America?

Basgahyes have been living in Iran for over 300 years and retain their identity. A population of Armenians in Poland have just rediscovered their roots and are florishing culturally. Despite being perscuted, that very persecution keeps Bolsahyes in Istambul strong and connected to their roots. Armenians raised and schooled all over Europe in places like England and France still speak and write fluently and teach their children necessary history. Western armenians in Lebenon and Syria are some of the most active Armenians around. But, one generation in America and..... kaput?

Why is it that America brings out this kind of disregard for our past where as Armenians all over the world are still very much connected to our roots. We're all scared we're loosing our culture and people are forgetting... maybe it isn't all Armenians, maybe it's just the ones in America?

[Genuine_Stud]

As always we're talking about how Armenians nowadays are giving up their pride and giving into the dasterdly ways of modern "don't give a sh*t"ism... but is it all Diasporans or just those that end up in America?

Basgahyes have been living in Iran for over 300 years and retain their identity. A population of Armenians in Poland have just rediscovered their roots and are florishing culturally. Despite being perscuted, that very persecution keeps Bolsahyes in Istambul strong and connected to their roots. Armenians raised and schooled all over Europe in places like England and France still speak and write fluently and teach their children necessary history. Western armenians in Lebenon and Syria are some of the most active Armenians around. But, one generation in America and..... kaput?

Why is it that America brings out this kind of disregard for our past where as Armenians all over the world are still very much connected to our roots. We're all scared we're loosing our culture and people are forgetting... maybe it isn't all Armenians, maybe it's just the ones in America?

I think it just seems that way in America (specifically in CA).

I think that because people see America as the land of oppurtunity, that they get blinded and preoccupied with who's going to make the most money that they often forget to respect each other and work together for Armenian causes or they forget to spend the time with their kid and teach them the importance of a Diasporan Armenian that they often rely on schools to teach it to their children, which in turn.... turns the child off for most things related to being Armenian.

[Anonymouse]

You're both wrong. The reason Armenians in America are so warped is because they don't eat enough Hot Pockets!

As a kid I used to at least eat 2!

[Genuine_Stud]

You're both wrong. The reason Armenians in America are so warped is because they don't eat enough Hot Pockets!

As a kid I used to at least eat 2!

Hot Pockets! hahahah.

Damn Mr. Mouse. So THAT'S where you got your strength? From the cheese in the hot pockets huh?

*Note to self: eat more hot pockets.

[Valkator]

In terms of 'civilizational development' as it applies to European Civilization, America is 'the end of the line' -- materially-focused, entropic, and adverse to any display or retention of Culture.

[loseyourname]

Basgahyes have been living in Iran for over 300 years and retain their identity. A population of Armenians in Poland have just rediscovered their roots and are florishing culturally. Despite being perscuted, that very persecution keeps Bolsahyes in Istambul strong and connected to their roots. Armenians raised and schooled all over Europe in places like England and France still speak and write fluently and teach their children necessary history. Western armenians in Lebenon and Syria are some of the most active Armenians around. But, one generation in America and..... kaput?

I'd say that persecution is exactly why Armenians keep their identities in nations where they are less welcome. In Iran or Lebanon or Syria, you're instantly identified as Armenian. Furthermore, you're given hell for it. Get a person defensive about something, in particular ethnic identity, and they'll fight. The only people in the US who care that you're Armenian are other people from that part of the world. Another thing is that you are encouraged to become American, to take part in building a national identity that has nothing to do with ethnicity. I doubt you're encouraged to become Arabic; you're probably just encouraged to leave or disappear.

[xBaron Dants]

Can we stop jumping to conclusions based on what we saw on FOX News?

Armenians are not persecuted in Syria or Lebanon. In fact, Lebanon has one or two Armenian ministers in its cabinet, and even its president, Emile Lahoud, is half-Armenian!

As for the original question: it is not only America. Same thing is happening in Canada, France and other Western countries. While the community in Montreal is still strong, the decline in "Armenianness" is obvious. I think arrogance is involved to a certain degree. In Syria, for example, if you chose not to remain Armenian, what would you be? An Arab? Unlikely. Yet Armenians have this sort of inferiority complex when faced to Americans, or the French or the English, for some reason. If I told you, for example, that a certain piece of Armenian litterature was hailed by Hagop Oshagan, it's more likely to have a smaller impact on you than if I say that it was halied by John Stevens. You might not even know who John Stevens is, and know that Hagop Oshagan is one of our most (if not THE most) accomplished critics, but just the fact that he is an "odar" tends to give him more respect.

Another thing is the "ghetto" aspect. In Haleb or Beirut, every Armenian lived close to each other. That is no longer the case. And then again there is the whole idea that America (or Canada, or wherever) promotes multi-culturalism, so there is this feeling that we're safe, which causes a diminution in effort,as nobody feels the urgency. So in that sense, Loser is right.

[gevo]

it just seems that way especially here in this culture these days... trust me.. it barely matters anymore to argue about it.. not worth it.

[Anonymouse]

Hot Pockets! hahahah.

Damn Mr. Mouse. So THAT'S where you got your strength? From the cheese in the hot pockets huh?

*Note to self: eat more hot pockets.

A Hot Pocket a day, will keep the warped armo inside of you away.

[ArmoBarbi]

I used to talk to a guy from Glendale on the phone regularly. (good looking but dumb as a rock) I told him about all the different music I listen to from all these different countries...including Armenian of course and asked him what he listens to. He said only American and when I assured him that there is a lot of great stuff out there thats not known in the States and asked why he doesnt try it he said, "Uhhhh because I live in America?"

The US of A is a "melting pot". I dont care how much crap Americans talk about respecting different cultures. The US in general discourages strong ethnic identification.

Havent you ever asked a pale blonde where her ancestors are from and failed to get an answer? Havent you ever asked one her ethnicity to get, "I'm a white girl!"? Ever ask an African-American what country in Africa his ancestors are from? Do they even know that Africa has more than one country??

This is what America has done to people. Unless you yourself make an effort to keep your ancestors culture in your life, its gone. It's very sad, but its what I see since I moved here. Just be Armenian for yourself is all I can say about that. If others are so easily deluted let them suffer the consequences.

I am very glad to know that there are tight Armenian communities around the world. I hope to live in one some day. I know and love my heritage and accredit it to nothing other than my personal effort and desire. I am ARMENIAN-American. Anyone who has a problem with it can kiss my "white girl" butt! ~Svetlana~