Letters
Armenian enough? Thoughts on Armenian+ diasporans
When I lived in Hong Kong, I was part of a group called ChinaHay, the Armenian community in China. This group comprised many multicultural Armenian families: Armenian and Hong Kong Chinese, Armenian and French, Armenian and Japanese, and the list goes on. I was proud to belong to ChinaHay and inspired by its inclusive nature. We danced kochari on the beach, visited Armenian churches in the region, held gatherings, including dolma making workshops, ate Armenian food, and talked and laughed togeth
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Well said. Being welcoming of multiculturalism in the worldwide Armenian diaspora is not only a positive humanistic approach, it also increases the numbers and strength of the global Armenian community. This will translate into a positive global perception of the Armenian homeland which ultimately will help its survival under challenging circumstances.
Your statement Narine Kerelian, “I have since repatriated to the U.S” caught my attention. I imagine that repatriation has its own distinct meaning for those who were born and raised in the Diaspora, although repatriation is expected to imply move to Armenia. There were times, I too thought that at a certain point in my life I may repatriate to Lebanon, where I was born and raised. It has never occurred to me to repatriate to Armenia.
As always, you’re right on point. I especially loved your comment about Armenian+ children being 100% complete. Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and uplifting perspective.
I wish there would be specific examples about discrimination when subjects like this come up, as I can’t help but think that these are imaginary issues. Who is implying Armenian+ diasporans (mixed Armenians to be clear) can’t partake in the collective Armenian “we”? Is there some authority that dictated who is allowed to be Armenian by ethnicity or are we giving a few social media trolls too much attention? Not even the likes of Pashinyan, or the tiny easternmost part of the Armenian Highlands known as the Republic of Armenia, has that authority.
Growing up in Southern California, I remember there were some mixed Armenians in school, clubs and organizations, whose mom or dad wasn’t Armenian, and nobody excluded them from the Armenian community nor questioned Armenian-ness. People found it interesting, then moved on. If anything, it was the numerous Hayasdantsis who arrived around the time of USSR’s dissolution that were unfriendly to everyone, at least in my experience and observation, in contrast to Western Armenians like myself and Barsgahyes who all got along fine.
In my opinion, however, there is nothing Armenian about Blaze Manoukian, the cartoon character. Will she identify as an Armenian or be proud of her Armenian heritage? Will there be any Armenian cultural references in Toy Story 5? I doubt it. It’s just strange that she is being promoted as half-Armenian half-Black. What’s the point? The voice actor is not even Armenian, and I remember there is a Black-Armenian actress, who might have been interested in the role. If there was ANYTHING Armenian about Blaze, I’m sure comments would have been positive.