On the first day of kindergarten in Boulder, Colorado, we gathered in a circle, and the teacher asked us to stand up, introduce ourselves and tell everyone where we were from. I stood up, and without an instant’s pause, declared that my name was Levon and I was from Armenia. What my teacher and classmates didn’t know was that it would be another two years before I would set foot in Armenia for the first time.
Since then, I’ve moved around a lot. Today, I live in Boston, Massachusetts, which I now consider my hometown. Boston is home to one of the largest communities of the Armenian Diaspora, which has given me the opportunity to actively engage with my heritage. I’ve had fun at kebab nights and kefs. I’ve attended informative youth conferences and seminars, and I’ve networked at galas and fundraisers.
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This is a thoughtful, well-written, and important article. Thank you Levon for your research and engagement. As I was reading about the terrible and prolonged history of racism and segregation here in the US, I couldn’t help comparing–line-by-line–what the Armenians faced/still face in Turkey. You are 100% correct: “The cause of anti-racism should be the cause of every Armenian.” Thank you again for this incredible piece.
Abrees Levon, this was a very thorough and thoughtful article. Insightful and informative. I am proud to say I know Levon from the Sayat Nova Dance Company. Please know your ancestors are proud of you.
Curious why mostly young authors posting opinion pieces here during the past month’s “BLM special coverage” imply Armenians are racist toward blacks or discriminatory in general? I don’t get it. What are they teaching in school or being led to believe on social media? It has no basis in the real world, at least not in my experience being an older Armenian American. Let’s drop the self-loathing, we already have enough ridiculous stereotypes to deal with from ignorant people, especially in the west coast.
Jack, count yourself lucky you live in a community where there are no racist Armenians because where I live, there are A LOT! While they scream for others to recognize our tragedy, they keep utterly quiet when the turn is someone else’s.
Maybe that’s not your experience, but almost every older Armenian I have encountered (which is a lot) has had racist attitudes on a sliding scale. Even kind, relatively open-minded educated people. You must have a really small liberal circle if you think its not a problem. Black slurs and jokes are rife amongst Armenians. Black face is shown on day time Armenian TV. Every Black Armenian who has spoken on their experience has spoken about facing racism from the Armenian community. You can find more accounts on this instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/kooyrigs/
There is a difference between self-loathing and calling out the reality of what happens. Theres a difference between creating a problem and pointing out a problem that exists. Are you Black yourself? If not, please don’t try to police a Black Armenian speaking on his experience.
@Asbed So if one keeps quiet they are automatically a racist. You realize that makes zero sense? Your generation is ASSUMING Armenians are racist simply because most of the population don’t participate in these matters. Ridiculous.
@Julia Provide evidence of what you are claiming. What black face on Armenian TV?? What slurs? Where? Black Armenians, you realize, is a very small number of people, and unusual just like if it were Chinese Armenian. What is the racism exactly? Are you confusing it with people being curious? Most Armenians are proud of anyone having Armenian ancestry regardless of where they come from or who their parents are or what they look like.
I checked out that IG page but can’t find any stories. You sort of proved my point: all these articles and social media posts from young Armenians strongly implying racism by Armenians, but providing NO evidence and just giving ammunition to our enemies. Some posted that they were part of Armenian organizations growing up. They are welcomed!!
No, I am not a Black Armenian and I am not “policing” anyone, whatever that means. However, I am Armenian and *I* am being discriminated against by people like you who are labeling Armenians as racist and diminishing what my grandparents and likely your great-grandparents went through with the genocide by equating it with African American issues, so I have all the right to call people out.
You want Armenian support? Try being a proud one first.
This is a FAR cry from self-loathing lol, what on earth? Did you miss the first several paragraphs of this article praising and celebrating our culture?
Very strange take. It seems like you are very defensive so maybe this is an article you should re-read, the point seems to have went over your head.
Dear Levon, your article is brilliantly written, and more importantly, the message, informative, powerful and masterfully communicated. You need be to invited to speak everywhere!!!
I so agree with you. I was educated thoroughly in 10 minutes by a “Black Kochari” who I am proud to call a fellow Armenian. Well done Levon and wish you all the future success and happiness!
Excellently explained, Mr. Brunson. Your article provides a thorough and comprehensive opportunity for anyone that is sincerely committed to understanding and learning. I have high hopes that people like you and your generation will drive the changes that we so desperately need. You have the full support of people like me.
I endorse all your conclusions, and I hope everyone who reads your article will ‘see the light’ that you have shined, so beautifully and brightly.
The original Caucasians, Armenians enjoy white privilege. We each have to wrestle with this fact in order to fully understand the struggle of a Black American or a Black Armenian American. Empathy comes when we see ourselves in the others’ shoes. There are similarities in our shared experiences of oppression, but the average Armenian can “pass” by losing our accents, changing our names and blending in. Most of us escape the bias due to skin-color which is pervasive in society.
Simply beautiful. Thank you for your words.
One of the last conversations I had with my mother was just after I turned 16 in 1962 and a little over 5 weeks before her sudden death. “Whoever you bring home as your wife will be my daughter. She can be white, Armenian, Turk, black. She will be my daughter.” How pleased she would have been reading your article, Levon jan. How proud I would be if it had turned out that you were my grandson. Congratulations on a fine article and on your life. Another Levon
Thank you Levon for sharing your unique perspective. Your article is informative and thought-provoking.
Thank you so very much for sharing. My Armenian~Black Cuban ancestors are smiling from the Heavens!
Levon- what an timely and meaningful message. As an educator I will be using it in my class. I hope to meet you some day.
Excellent researched article Levon Jan,
Abrees is right! Very well researched and eloquently drafted. You are a credit to the Armenian nation, as well as the African American community. Although many of us have been vocal during the past few weeks, we’ve also been troubled that more Armenians, in the U.S. and globally, have not been more supportive and empathetic. Of course, my people’s experience, my grandparents’ experience as survivors, are more personal to me, but I’m equally jarred and devastated when I read about other genocides or crimes which are hate-based. I hope people will read and heed your wise message. We’re proud of you.
Can someone please tell me if there is a way to have this article translated in Armenian? The people who need to read and understand this the most often times are uneducated and not fluent in English. If you have any ideas or know if there is an Armenian version please email me ida0903@yahoo.com
Thank you Levon, well sourced and very thoughtful! Great article to be used as valuable teaching material.
Thank you Levon jan excellently explained. Great article and very meaningful message.
It was a great article thank you for sharing. I wish that a lot of people read it.
Thank you. This is an excellent article. I hope it is published widely and read by many people who are questioning the historical moment in which we are living. We must each speak with a wise mind and listen with a compassionate heart. Tomorrow belongs to those who will commit themselves to the transformation of our contemporary self- obsessed culture. We must recognize and share in the pain of the people with whom we share the planet.
Dear Levon, Thank you for your powerful and thoughtful article. Please keep speaking up and building bridges.
Excellent piece. I especially appreciate all the research and the way you laid it out seamlessly. Thank you!
I hope this powerful and thoughtful article goes viral! Everyone should read this beautifully crafted work.
I wish this excellent article (including comments) could be posted on yahoo website for the entire world to read.
Thank you for sharing your story Levon.
Un excellent article, merci pour le partage
Computer science? I think you might be destined to become a writer. Beautifully written piece. Thank you for sharing your heart and mind.
A Writer, he definitely is!
What an excellent well researched and masterfully
written article. Keep on writing.
Dear Levon, this was one of the most in-depth articles I have read regarding this issue and you have done a great job in not only backing it with actual data, but tied it in with our own Armenian experience. Unfortunately, many in our community refuse to see these parallels and I commend the Armenian Weekly for devoting so much space lately to give people like you a voice. This is a must read indeed. Thanks for putting in the time to write such a powerful article.
Very well written Levon. I suggest you send your article to all “odar” publications, nationally in America, and Internationally!
The world has to learn all that’s written in your accurate and well explained article. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing, Levon. Powerful, important article that will challenge people’s ignorance. Wish you all the best.
Excellent information and research Levon. I learned a lot today. I greatly appreciate it.
Spot on… thank you Levon for sharing your thoughts so meticulously.
This article is a gem. The thoroughness of the research and the clarity of the thinking behind it as well as the writing is extremely impressive. I am sending it on to my friends and family. Thank you, Levon.
Incredible story and very informative. You, Levon, must be an amazing young man! God Bless the Levon Brunsons in the Armenian Community.
WOW, just WOW!
Excellent, well researched article.
I found your experiences very informative. I think there will always be prejudice against certain people and types. You can go to Fresno, California and find the hate toward Armenians. That was my first experience with prejudice. The Jewish people have had their share also.
Excellent article. Very well done. Thank you!
Thank you for this wonderful and deeply illuminating article! I appreciate it a great deal and hope that it’s widely circulated and read.
I have often acquainted the treatment of black people in America to those of the minorities living in the Ottoman Empire, in particular, the Armenians; the status of second class citizen, not having recourse to the law & justice, no civil rights, no basic human rights, existing at the mercy of local officials, gendamerie, subject to arbitrary taxes etc. How well you describe the situation of both peoples & the struggle for the right for equality & a free life.
THIS IS EVERYTHING I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR! Thank you for taking the time to write about this from your perspective.
Both Armenian Americans and African Americans should be very happy to have a very articulate member like Levon to put their cases forward.
We mustn’t forget the close relationship between Ethiopians and Armenians that goes back
to hundreds of years before there was such an entity as a USA. Africans and Armenians are no strangers to each other.
Today I feel better and proud again to be Armenian !
I’m also proud to be Armenian
So we’ll written and so moving! Thank you,
EXCELLENT. You are a leader among people, Levon.
You’ve been given many gifts and you are utilizing them beautifully.
Levon, your article teaches us all an important lesson in empathy. I appreciate you and your work in clearly laying out facts for our community to read and learn from. You are a blessing.
Thank you Levon! Well done.
An excellent piece. A must read for every Armenian et al. Thank you so much for writing it. Have already sent it to multiple people.
Thank you Levon for a very informative article about the blacks in USA most of us didn’t know the extent of their suffering now we realize the reason why they are protesting May be our young people can organize and show them our sympathy like joining them in their protests because we are all human
Levon, I hope you are well. I have been seeing this article around & have only now had a chance to read it. Apres! Extremely well written, powerful, impactful & informative. Proud that you are using your voice to share your unique background & experience. These are the kinds of small acts that are part of making big changes. Thank you for sharing your story & your cultural history.
Levon Brunson has provided himself as a broad, carefully designed bridge to link the fates of African-Americans and Armenian-Americans. Anyone with a conscience will have to look no further than a careful, thoughtful, between-the-lines reading of what exactly happened to the “Black Wall Street” community of Tulsa in the summer of 1921. It reads like one of the most unbearable chapters in Zabel Yesayan’s “In The Ruins”.
Poignant and on point. Very informative, and I really enjoyed it Levon.
Thank you.
I was surprised to see only 55 comments on this article (and them being overwhelmingly positive!). This article has exploded. It has gone viral among the Armenian FB groups. Levon, you should be proud of yourself for sparking so much discussion within the community.
As an Armenian-Canadian who is extremely passionate about my heritage, raising awareness of our historical plights and injustices and injustices in the world at large, this article brought a tear to my eye. Beautifully written, so concise yet so educational and an important message that some in our community need to hear (no need for defensiveness; ignorance is something no human being of any background is immune to); thank you for writing this.
Please continue to write – about anything, anywhere, but it seems like you have a gift, my friend.
I agree with the other comment re: translating this into Armenian for non-English speakers to get the pleasure of reading :)
So grateful for your eloquent and well researched article. You make us all proud. You are an asset to humanity. This should be a must read for all.
Speaking as a white Armenian Lesbian who had tons of Armenian friends growing up and now is shunned by those same friends when I came out 30 years ago – Armenians in Armenia & the diaspora are anti-black & anti-gay. I know this from my own extended family who I don’t speak to now because I’m gay. So Levon good luck in your search for identity. Being half Armenian is just as good as being Armenian on both sides. As far as intermarriage with black community people do what they want and it’s cool that Levon wants to be among Armenians but know that many of the older folks and even some of the younger ones are anti-black.
The ills of social media an the internet are real but when they give you the opportunity to connect and communicate with someone whom you would otherwise not known, and who has an incredibly important viewpoint to share, it is so powerful. Thank you, Levon for this cogent analysis of where we came from and where we are. I also just heard you on Armenian Enough podcast…. That you can teach and educate without judgement is an amazing gift and I hope you will continue to share it with the Armenian community.
Wow!!! I love it! Thank you Levon for this beautiful article!! I can feel your heart in every word! Only if I had learned this much in public high school, that I have after reading every word of your article! It took years for all that you said, to be taught to us in public school and college. Translate it into Armenian and send it around.
Bravo, Levon !!! A great, comprehensive, clear,
very well-written, coolheaded article.
Good teaching tool.
Beautifully written and very educational, thank you Levon!
Kudos and thanks for such a well written and incisive article. It is heartening to see that young Armenians are looking beyond the insular thinking that predominates in our communities. I trust you will continue to explore and articulate a vision that does not leave any room for racism and bigotry of any kind. This is the only path to building just societies here an in the motherland. Thank you again.
Abris Levon Jaaan !! Proud of you .
I found your writing very informative. I am black British. We are all part of the same experience. All over the world.