In Sight
Our Institutions Cannot Stand Alone
Community—“a group of people sharing a common place, interests or goals” as defined through a Google search. Before the Genocide, the Armenian nation consisted primarily of an indigenous people living on their historical lands. One of the outcomes of the Genocide was the creation of the diaspora. Prior to 1915, the numbe
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A very good analysis of the status quo and sound suggestions for common sense change. Parents, act as a role model for your children if you want them to carry on with our heritage and save us from cultural extinction.
I share your well written essays with some members of our Armenian community here in San Diego. Keep up the good work. Your thoughts need to be shared.
By the way, was your grandfather Carnig? If so, he was great friends with my brother. They worked for the AYF together. I am originally from Hartford. Also, were you responsible for instituting the Fairfield County AYF chapter? That would have been at my house. The nickname “hamburger” comes to mind.
Diana… thank you for your kind words. The father I referenced was Carnig. He was a lifelong
active member of the community. Yes that was me in Fairfield back in the day. If I remember , the Papazian’s
lived in Norwalk. Ironically , I get to the area often as my sister and her family have lived in Fairfield for
years and are active in the Trumbull church. Thanks.
May I congratulate Mr. Stepan Piligian and the Weekly for the fine article “Our institutions cannot stand alone?”
I have been working professionally in the field of comparative diaspora studies for over three decades. If there is one commonality I have found (one with which most
experts agree), it is that enduring diasporas depend on its members’ commitment to
institutions – exactly what Mr. Piligian said.
In no existing diaspora do we see every member exhibiting an equal amount of enduring commitment. But in every case, what it takes for a diaspora to endure and behave in a way that leads to productive change and accommodation to new circumstances is that there is a critical mass of what the Israeli specialist Gabi Sheffer named the “core diaspora.”
A more expanded and nuanced definition and discussion is possible, and I have elsewhere outlined such, but here what matters is to repeat: diasporic endurance and innovation both depend on the commitment of its core members; these sustain the institutions and practices to which less committed members are drawn, sometimes as lukewarm supporters and at other times as important new “converts” and recruits to the core.
There really is no good known alternative. I say “good” because there is a bad alternative. Diasporas that are persecuted by the surrounding majority flee, assimilate, or become ever more committed to their collective identity. But presumably none of us wants that path. And except for this circumstance, I end by repeating: there really is no good alternative other than involvement leading to commitment.
Cordially,
Khachig Tölölyan
Professor, College of Letters
Co-founder and co-editor (1979-2009), Pynchon Notes
Founder and editor (1991- ), Diaspora: a journal of transnational studies
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459
ktololyan@wesleyan.edu
Khatchig , thank you for your comments. It is heartwarming when experiential opinions and academic research are aligned. Your contributions are highly respected. As a young man, I remember your father and mother as great community role models for their intellect , dedication and talent. I wish you well.
Dear Stepan
Thanks for your excellent article.
I agree with all your statements.
However as times have changed, similarly the Armenian Diaspora has changed specially of its “core” group and its larger community.
Hence whoever we have in this nucleus of the community should change certain basic activities and events to attract the present youth. If the committee members cannot evolve they will not attract any new memberships.
Also the church as our traditional base cannot carry on with its age old behaviour and expect the new generation to attend church. I know in most churches there is a marked decline in attendance. As one of our diaspora center of gathering the church could play and should take the lead in keeping the momentum. But krapar and 1-2 hours of church service will not attract any one. This is compounded with the church attendance with each arriving at different times, others chitchat in the church while non of the priests or wardens keep the order.
As for parental teaching, I agree with you, and each parent should do what they can to give their child Armenian culture, and not worry much whether their child will compete with the locals or not.
Regards
Ara