White people dating Armenian

[Mos]

Re: White people dating Armenian

I agree.

I disagree

[Armenian]

Re: White people dating Armenian

I think we first need to define what kind of an "Armenian" we are trying to define.

Anyone with any amount of Armenian blood and identity can rightfully claim to be an Armenian. However, will these people consciously attempt to pass on their heritage to their off-springs? In my opinion, that is the key. Cultural preservation and continuity. If an Armenian does not attempt to preserve and pass on his/her national heritage to the future generation they are Armenians only by name and their existence as Armenians are temporary on this earth. And this also applies to full blooded Armenians who are fluent in the language.

In this light, knowing or not knowing Armenian does not make one an "Armenian." Being 100% Armenian genetically does not make one an "Armenian" either. It's the Armenian spirit, the Armenia first attitude, the proud Armenian identity, within an individual that makes one an Armenian. Throughout the years I have met many mixed Armenians who were exceptional Armenians, more so that the average full blooded Armenian walking the streets of Yerevan. The same applies to the language as well. Look at Monte Melkonian, the man barely spoke Armenian but he gave his life for the nation.

An Armenian simply needs to find the nationalistic spirit that dwells dormant within. So, the issue here is not "blood" it's not "language" it's attitude, it's drive, it's a realization, an awareness. To me, being an Armenian is a way of life, it's a certain mentality. To me, an Armenian needs to feel the burden of preserving and passing on a national heritage that is well over four thousand years old. To me, an Armenian places interests of the Fatherland above all else.

The problem I have with BarOwl has nothing to do with her not speaking Armenian (it's her parent's fault), it has to do with her careless attitude regarding her heritage.

[Armenian]

Re: White people dating Armenian

NightOwl, I found your first post. In it you claim to be a New Yorker. The way you were carrying on about not being able to meet any Armenians I thought you lived in some small town not far from Ratsass Kentucky.

"I have never met any guy thats Armenian, so how would I marry one"

"If i meet an armenian guy that'll be a miracle."

"I live in NYC and I don't meet many Armenians. The ones I do meet are all not born in the USA, I don't know any Armenians as friends so when I meet someone who is Armenian, I'm always friendly and I get a nasty response, like "F--K OFF"."

"I have never dated an Armenian guy because I have never met any in my life, even as friends, my family does not expect it because i grew up in a non armenian neighborhood."

"[My parents] dont speak Armenian... yes my parents know Armenian- not that well"

So, BarOwl, let me get this straight:

Your parents don't speak Armenian but your parents know Armenian - not that well; You don't meet Armenians, you never met Armenians, but when you meet Armenians Armenians tell you to "F off"; It will be a "miracle" if you meet an Armenian - in NYC?

I think you are full of it. I am also a New Yorker. What the hell are you blabbering about? I think your entire story stinks to high heaven.

I was born in the US and so were my parents. I'm 100% Armenian. They dont speak Armenian, neither do I. I dont know too much about Armenian traditions. Is there anyone else whos a 2nd generation or more Armenian-American? I live in NYC and I don't meet many Armenians. The ones I do meet are all not born in the USA, I don't know any Armenians as friends so when I meet someone who is Armenian, I'm always friendly and I get a nasty response, like "F--K OFF". I also visted Glendale, CA, not one person I met there was born in the USA. Not that I'm upset about it or theres anything wrong, but I never met anyone like myself and I'm confused. Is it very rare to be like this? Do you know anyone that is? Also I would say Most of the Armenians I met do not like me because I cant speak the language and dont know much about the culture, I found them to be jerks and very rude. Is that common? Also most of the Armenians I met tell me "you're not Armenian" I tell them I am and they say "there no way you can be" I think its really ignorant. My parents say Armenians are wonderful, nice people, but I don't see it all.

[Yedtarts]

Re: White people dating Armenian

I think we first need to define what kind of an "Armenian" we are trying to define.

Anyone with any amount of Armenian blood and identity can rightfully claim to be an Armenian. However, will these people consciously attempt to pass on their heritage to their off-springs? In my opinion, that is the key. Cultural preservation and continuity. If an Armenian does not attempt to preserve and pass on his/her national heritage to the future generation they are Armenians only by name and their existence as Armenians are temporary on this earth. And this also applies to full blooded Armenians who are fluent in the language.

In this light, knowing or not knowing Armenian does not make one an "Armenian." Being 100% Armenian genetically does not make one an "Armenian" either. It's the Armenian spirit, the Armenia first attitude, the proud Armenian identity, within an individual that makes one an Armenian. Throughout the years I have met many mixed Armenians who were exceptional Armenians, more so that the average full blooded Armenian walking the streets of Yerevan. The same applies to the language as well. Look at Monte Melkonian, the man barely spoke Armenian but he gave his life for the nation.

An Armenian simply needs to find the nationalistic spirit that dwells dormant within. So, the issue here is not "blood" it's not "language" it's attitude, it's drive, it's a realization, an awareness. To me, being an Armenian is a way of life, it's a certain mentality. To me, an Armenian needs to feel the burden of preserving and passing on a national heritage that is well over four thousand years old. To me, an Armenian places interests of the Fatherland above all else.

The problem I have with BarOwl has nothing to do with her not speaking Armenian (it's her parent's fault), it has to do with her careless attitude regarding her heritage.

Bravo!!! very well said!

[NightOwl]

Re: White people dating Armenian

Not to change the subject but I have some cousins who are 100% armenian and look it very much, no denying it. One married a j ew ish woman, other one married a Anglo saxon southern woman. They both refuse to talk about anything armenian related. I even tried discussing the resolution and asked my cousin to call his reps in his area to make sure they support it, he just laughed at me and said "Im American i dont need to do that", I said but your Armenian and our grandmother was a victim of this crime, her family was killed, he got up and walked away and was laughing with his wife.
Also at my grandfathers funeral which was at an armenian church, his wife was complaining because the priest only spoke in armenian, she kept saying why is he doing this?
It was really disrespectful.
I cant stand being around them, its really divided my family, because my 2 cousins are running away from their identity,, My cousins are jerks who are pretending to be something their not.
They dont have Armenian last names so i guess its easy for them

so i understand what you mean.
I would never do that and whoever i date i educate about my nationality.

[arziv]

Re: White people dating Armenian

How can they not meet armenian guys, or armenian ladies ? It does not make sense, unless one lives like a recluse and in an isolated region. Armenia is only a few hours away by plane. Take a plane , fly over there and find your match.

[NightOwl]

Re: White people dating Armenian

I live in an area with no armenians, ironically turks are slowly moving in.

I did visit Glendale along time ago. I thought it would be friendly and did not find that. One guy told me im not all armenian cause im too pale.
My Mom says she never met such rude armenians.
not to insult anyone but that was my experience there.

[skhara]

Re: White people dating Armenian

One guy told me im not all armenian cause im too pale.

By the way, what is this absurdity I keep hearing in regards to such claims? Is Glendale really full of these kinds of "f***heads"?

[Lucin]

Re: White people dating Armenian

I am 100% Armenian, both my parents are Armenian.
Just because I dont speak or write it makes me less Armenian?
Like I told you the Armenians who survived the Genocide came to America around 1915-1920 wanted to be American and put the horrible thing behind them, they taught their kids to speak in English and be American, their kids taught their children the same values.
So their not real Armenians either?
Just because you dont speak in Armenian doesnt make you less Armenian.
.

Though, being Armenian does not necessarily 'require' knowing the language and it's the way you act that makes you one, but believe it or not, some part of Armeinan heritage and identity lies in the language, so a good part of it is passed on to generations through the language. And had you been a guy, I wouldn't have insisted much.

Oh, and I know you care so much about the Genocide, I appreciate you not forgetting the sufferings of your grand-parents, I also know you probably love dolma but that's not an identity, a culture does not revolve around this.
You are one young lady, with no kids, no headaches, so what's with 'the whining'? Start learning the language gradually; there are many manuals and good sites out there, spend sometime within these sites, read up on Armenia's history a bit, take a trip there if you can afford...
Basically, this is how you can familiarize yourself with the culture and mentality of your ancestors; and make a change.

Not to change the subject but I have some cousins who are 100% armenian and look it very much, no denying it. One married a j ew ish woman, other one married a Anglo saxon southern woman. They both refuse to talk about anything armenian related.
...

It sucks but why are you comparing yourself to your cousins who seem to be not only low-life Armenians, but low-life human beings?

[Armenian]

Re: White people dating Armenian

By the way, what is this absurdity I keep hearing in regards to such claims? Is Glendale really full of these kinds of "f***heads"?

Dude, I have been there several time. Glendale is like what a typical Armenian town with a middle class/upper middle class population would be like. In my opinion, it is a great town. There are many decent folk that live there. Armenian cultural life there is vibrant and you can clearly see it in television, concerts, radio, theater, social/political organizations, newspapers, church, festivals, etc. The place is essentially run by Armenians, majority of them being Armenians from Armenia. Persian Armenians are probably the next largest Armenian group there. As I would expect, the entire business atmosphere there is run by Armenians and the politics in the town is run by Armenians. As a town, Glendale is very well kept and orderly. House prices are quite high as well. I have some good friends that moved there from NYC.

Glendale used to be a KKK stronghold. And that is the source of all the anti-Armenian folklore in the region. So take it with a grain of salt. Many years ago, Armenians were treated very badly by the "mighty whitey" in the region. However, Armenians slowly pushed them out of town. They essentially got bought out by the Valley Indians, which is what they called Armenians. Now, that bad treatment of Armenians by the "white European" types live on in the collective memory of the Armenian population of southern California. However, I have to also say that many of the Armenians that were feeling the Soviet collapse that settled there were usually from the uneducated strata of Armenian society. So, naturally, you can find ignorance and bad social behavior amongst Armenians in Glendale.

And yes, like all American towns, Glendale has its hoodlum types, again from low-income families. However, I personally have never interacted with those types. The type in question is not a problem for the town nor do they constitute a majority there. I suspect these types of individuals are more of a problem for the non-Armenians in the area (Mexicans & Blacks) and those Armenians that naturally attract them. So, one can visit Glendale and even live in Glendale without having any contact with the low-lives that live there.

I suggest you don't pay too much attention to what NightOwl is saying. I know many Armenians with pale skin and light features, and not once in my life have I heard an Armenian from Armenia say that the look in question is not Armenian. That's total BS. However, couple of times I have heard Armenians from Turkey and Lebanon make such comments. Anyway, after all her BS about living in a place where no Armenian has ever set foot in, it turns out that she lives in New York City I bet an Armenian establishment, or a youth group, or a student organization, or a church, or a community center - is within thirty minutes of where she lives.