Being Armenian

[ckBejug]

What does being Armenian mean to you?

I am Armenian.

I don't even know if I could begin to explain what being Armenian means to me. There is a history, a culutre, a group of people that I have belonged to, been a part of, since birth. Being Armenian, it's almost the first thing I mention about myself when I meet people. It is a part of me, completes me. I can honestly say that 90% of my life experience has been different in some way because of the fact that I am Armenian. While it doesn't dictate my words, thoughts, or actions, I will never deny that it plays a VERY large role in my life. I went to Armenian private schools my entire life and grew up surrounded by other Armenians and learning the history, culture, language, heritage. I identify with my Armenian hertage, speak, read, and write the language, and try to learn as much as I can about the culture. If and when I meet someone else who is Armenian, it's as if we have some kind of instant bond. We 'know' eachother, even if we don't KNOW eachother. It's strange, but something I am quite accustomed to, so much so that I can't imagine not being Armenian. Even though I was born in Canada and raised in the United States, I am more Armenian than American. I might have to fill out forms that group me into the 'white' caucasian non-Hispanic category, but I know that above and beyond everything I am Armenian and that is what I will always be, forms be damned! Images, pictures, music, and other reminders of my homeland, of Armenia, give me goosebumps. I have visited Armenia only once in my life, for a total of 12 days, and words are to small to have the ability to even begin to describe how incredible it was. To finally step foot somewhere you have been learning about your entire life, somewhere that is YOURS completely. The land, the soil, the air, the people. Incredible! I have so much still to learn and add about the 'Armenian Experience' as I see and feel it but I think that much is enough for now... More soon.

[anileve]

Ck jan, I am surprised that Baron hasn’t responded to this thread first… I think it’s quite common among our group to feel that we are rather Armenian than American, although many of us where very young when we left our homeland or were born here. I personally feel more connected to Armenians rather than Americans, many of my memories and my childhood are associated with the images of Yerevan. However I would have to say that I try not too be too nationalistic, since I believe it is not wise to attach yourself to anything entirely. I try to be more objective of other cultures and traditions. The thing is that we all want to belong to a certain group, something we identify with and we often cling on to our nationalities.

My Armenianess would probably reflect in my ability to be resilient and surpass all of the obstacles. To be able to retrieve something positive out of every negative situation, I think living in Armenia has forced us to do just that. And perhaps valuing my friendships and my family which comes almost as a guideline of being Armenian.

[surferarmo]

CK, you made an erroroneous statement which whose premise is based on a myth. You cannot be American by blood, unless you are Native American (I have 2% Native American). You can not be more Armenian than American, because as far as blood line is concerned, you are not American. Being American for us is a national identity which is characterized by the values, political system, judicial system, education, and constructs of this nation. This is a nation of immigrants, and ANYONE who lives here is an American with "x" ancestory. So, I am American with Armenian ancestory. You cant call someone "American" per sey. That is completely ignorant. Everyone here has origins in another country, so therefore we must be consistent with eachother and understand that we are all American.

So yes, you are Armenian by ancestory, American by nationality. There is a difference.

To answer your question though ...

Throughout our history, our people have fought many battles in defense of their values and beliefs. Our forefathers and mothers would not compromise their values even with the constant persecution by the surrounding nations. We move to other countries, yet we are still continuing the traditions in their best renditions. Being Armenian is being principled. Being Armenian is not compromising your beliefs because of persecution. We are people of mental and spiritual endurance. AKA stubborn (jk),.

[PASAMONSTER]

Everyone has their belief in what being armenian is.

and evevryone is right in their own way.

[fstkhnan]

wow being Armenian is just everything.......
let me put it this way...."I wouldve wished I was Armenian if i wasn't one"......

[Anonymouse]

Being Armenian is, well, it's like a drug that I am eternally addicted to.

When I utter the phrase "hye em", its chimes zing in my ears and mind an ancient tune of "hye" connecting to my modern self "em" stiching the past to the present and eliminating time.

[anileve]

Wow sir, that is very poetic of you. May I also add that it's quite nationalistic coming from a person who believes that Nationalism is a Myth…How will you explain such an outrageous contradiction ?

Sincerely,
- Lost in Definitions.

[Anonymouse]

Well, I like to define it as a love for the people and culture and the history, not the bloodsucking State, if you will.

[Anonymouse]

Originally posted by PASAMONSTER Everyone has their belief in what being armenian is.

and evevryone is right in their own way.

Definitely, but I would say that if that belief of being Armenian involved the antithesis of being Armenian that's not Armenian.

I think I'm confused.

[anileve]

Originally posted by Anonymouse
I think I'm confused.

That's as much of a novelty as the discovery that the Earth is not flat...

And in terms of your Nationalism, we'll it's only a sense of belonging that we seek, so no matter how you advocate that people must break away from the conditioned state of the masses you are guilty of the ideology as well. So you see, we all just follow the masses one way or another. Individualism exists only in degrees of socialism.