Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

[retro]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

Although I think that if someone truly looks into their history and somehow "finds themselves", sometimes the draw into their heritage can be extremely potent. This can only be explained by perhaps a feeling of being "robbed" of their culture and heritage.

You can't pick your relations and it's not reasonable to expect people who emigrate, not to assimilate and intgrate into their host societies.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

You can't pick your relations and it's not reasonable to expect people who emigrate, not to assimilate and intgrate into their host societies.

Well I agree that you have to integrate into your host society but I don't believe you have to assimilate. Government policies are created FOR assimilation. The problem with America, U.K, Canada, Australia, etc. is that the entire structure of society is created such that the children belong to government and not the family or parents. However, it's the parents responsibility to feed, clothe and shelter the kids but after doing all that, the government has the right to impose their governing laws on your own kids regardless of your culture. Immigration into the west somewhat about enslavement and forced assimilation.

[Hyegirl]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

You come to an Armenian forum wanting to learn more about Armenian culture and values. It's pretty obvious your situation and intentions. I was merely making a valid statement about identity and how any identity, including Armenian, is attained. Which is not through blood, but more through the important upbringing of one. It's as simple as that and nothing I said is controversial or disputed. In pursuing your interest of Armenian culture and history, you should keep this notion of identity in mind, so your direction is not skewed.

I've also been studying American culture. Nice to know that we study where we live and that defines us and we study those we have more limited contact with and that is not 1% of us. Also, that metaphysical identity that is so hard to put into words for you, I have to put something of that and in words in ways that people who don't even know what an Armenian is will understand. You go along now. I'm going to be true to myself as best I know myself, and you have made clear that you and those like you have no part of me. Bye bye.

[Mos]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

I've also been studying American culture. Nice to know that we study where we live and that defines us and we study those we have more limited contact with and that is not 1% of us. Also, that metaphysical identity that is so hard to put into words for you, I have to put something of that and in words in ways that people who don't even know what an Armenian is will understand. You go along now. I'm going to be true to myself as best I know myself, and you have made clear that you and those like you have no part of me. Bye bye.

What are you exactly disagreeing with me on?

[KanadaHye]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

What are you exactly disagreeing with me on?

She's not. You are both saying the same thing. Readyyyyy.... fight!!!

[Hyegirl]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

What are you exactly disagreeing with me on?

That I can't be even 1% Armenian or have an even tiny minute shred of who I am be Armenian.

[Siggie]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

Hyegirl, welcome to the forum.

Take these opinions as what they are, individual opinions.

The rest of you... WTF? Someone comes here to learn more about their Armenian background and history and instead of being supportive that she has chosen to do so, you want to cut her off at the knees. Instead you send messages like 'it's too late for you'? I don't care when a person does it... if you, at any point in your life, decide to learn more about your culture and heritage, then that's a cause for praise. That's a person who is not lost. Those who are lost are those who aren't in touch with their Armenian roots, don't know or don't care, and do nothing to remedy it.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

That I can't be even 1% Armenian or have an even tiny minute shred of who I am be Armenian.

We expect 100% or nothing. Take it or leave it

Seriously though, I'm curious as to why your interest has suddenly increased. I can tell you that I really didn't think at all that culture and/or being Armenian mattered till my grandparents who had a great deal of influence in my upbringing passed away.

[Mos]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

That I can't be even 1% Armenian or have an even tiny minute shred of who I am be Armenian.

What exactly means 1% Armenian? You're either Armenian or not. Maybe I should try to be 2,7% Chinese, may help me in my endeavours....

Identity is not a percentage. All I'm tell you is the reality. Your willingness to learn about Armenia and Armenian culture, may add to your surface, but you cannot change the core which is American.

I can learn all I want about Chinese culture and language, my core is not going to become Chinese. I am not trying to discourage you, just make sure you don't fall into false realities. Even within Armenians there are cultural divisions and certain groups of Armenians interacting only or more easily with certain groups of Armenians.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Hello and Parev (getting in touch with my roots, and not with hair dye)

Hyegirl, welcome to the forum.

Take these opinions as what they are, individual opinions.

The rest of you... WTF? Someone comes here to learn more about their Armenian background and history and instead of being supportive that she has chosen to do so, you want to cut her off at the knees. Instead you send messages like 'it's too late for you'? I don't care when a person does it... if you, at any point in your life, decide to learn more about your culture and heritage, then that's a cause for praise. That's a person who is not lost. Those who are lost are those who aren't in touch with their Armenian roots, don't know or don't care, and do nothing to remedy it.

She didn't have to write a word on the forum to learn about her culture and history. She's writing because she wants to converse. Mos is telling it like it is, and I think Hyegirl realizes the reality as we all do.