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.
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.
Comment