QUOTE (loxxsqueen @ May 20 2004, 07:07 AM)
Vigil, I completely disagree with your ideology. I AM proud to be an Armenian, but not nationalistic. Armenians are not better or superior to any other group of people on this earth. Armenians see themselves so much that they end up dividing amongst themselves. Its ridiculous. Taking steps to preserve nationality is not the only thing that defines a nationalist.
You are ludicrous to say that if an Armenian marrys outside that they are no longer Armenian. I am not sure yet where you get the justification to dictate such a statement.
In your post you made A LOT of generalizations, even though I admit myself that it's hard not to do so.
Nothing I or any other Armenian out there does can take away their Identity...
Not marrying outside, not experiencing, enjoying and respecting other cultures along with their own, not anything. Sorry you live in such a bubble.
nobody is claiming that we are supirior to any race or people,
but from what i see around me here,number one reason for assymilation is marrying "odar".
beeing pround of your armenianity to keep your children Armenian while you are married to a Guatimalian is not enough,one has to make tremendous effort to preserve their chldren's identity ,I will admit that beeing both parents armenians doesnt neccesarily make the task automaticaly easy .
one can never be passive in this matters specially in diaspora.
When I was a 15 years old kid I used to fall in love with every beautifull girl I saw!!.I appreciate beauty like most of you here.
I remember my father telling me:"son dont confuse between love and marriage,they are completely differnt things"!!.I never realy understood what he meant.
But deep in myself I knew that i was destined to marry an Armenian women,couldnt imagine myself otherwise,couldnt see myself speaking other than my own language in myown house,couldnt imagine myself other than debating with my wife and children about our peoples problems and whereabouts,we praise and criticise Armenians as if we do to ourselves,without beeing imbarassed from each other ,I wanted that we both have the same national dreams and feelings.
Exactly 16 years ago I met my wife with a group of teachers we got aquainted and married within one month.we didnt even have the chance to know each others preferances.
And now after 16 years I am deeply in love with her as she is with me.
bottomline ladies and Gents,dont fool youselves ,you will never feel free if you are not married to your own kind, even if your aim is not even preserving your identity.
the choice you make can easily destruct a civilization or preserve it so dont rush take you time before making that crucial decision which will have a great impact both on you your children and you culture.