I was born in the US, have lived my whole life here, and am part of an Armenian community where I find myself very quickly being pushed out from someone in favor to someone no longer trustworthy. I am in such a position because I have feelings relating to the topic title.
We Diaspora-Armenians, particularly American-Armenians, have become obsessed with the Genocide. While I understand how the shared, collective trauma of the Genocide dictates a level of fixated interest in the event, the pure obsession has greatly inhibited our abilities as a community to grow, and our abilities as a political entity to realize change.
Our community leaders trumpet Genocide recognition. A quick look at the competing lobby groups' websites, the ANC and the Assembly, are transfixed on the Genocide. Everything is Genocide, Genocide, Genocide. All efforts are for Genocide recognition, all monies donated go to Genocide recognition. All marches and demonstrations organized seek Genocide recognition, mainly by the United States' and Turkish governments. So what?! What has it brought us?!
After decades, the Turkish and American governments have failed to condemn the Genocide. No reparations have been paid. I cannot go back to my ancestral land in Kharpert. Lake Van is still in Turkey. Others will counter that while those two governments have feigned recognition, others, such as France, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Russia, have in fact recognized the Genocide. Again, I refer to the point above? Ararat may tower over Yerevan, but it remains nothing more than a tease; it's still on internationally recognized Turkish territority.
Like every Spiurkahye, I lost family and property in the Genocide. Sure, holding up a sign that says 'We will not forget!' or 'Turkey: Guilty of Genocide' makes me feel good. I'm sure it gives everyone who has done it a sense of victory, that we have somehow honored our ancestors' memories. But at what cost? Countless dollars and hours have been spent on fruitless efforts. Instead of compelling Turkey to admit their wrongdoings, we have permitted their government to propagate and reinforce pre-existing stereotypes of Armenians as sneaky, back-stabbing traitors, trying once again to hurt the 'innocent' Turk.
In the process of focusing on the Genocide at all costs, we have hurt ourselves. How many times has an Armenian group backed a Republican candidate promising to vote favorably on Armenian issues? What we fail to recognize is that it is the propagation of realist political ideologies and activities that creates the political environment in which Turkey, a member of NATO, is able to muscle around less-equipped neighbors, and keep its military strong politically (relating to domestic politics). By supporting conservatives in ANY country, espeically the USA, we are reinforcing the preexisting regimes and hurting Armenia-even if said candidate wants to vote favorably on "Armenian issues".
The scope of Genocide has not just limited us in seeing the broader political picture, it has consumed the fascination and attention of "Armenian issues". A mobilized Armenian lobby focusing on procuring international aid from foreign governments for the homeland does the Republic of Armenia and the people of that country far greater good than holding up a sign at a protest and shouting 'Turkey is guilty! We demand our lands!'
The other 'burning' Armenian issue is Karabagh. Part of this problem is ethno-centrism in the pan-Armenian international community. Spiurka-hayer have chosen to remember the sufferings of Western Armenians, and neglect the sufferings of 'those other' Eastern Armenians, those purged from Karabagh, Baku, Sumgait, and Kirovabad. We have a situation on our hands now where we can influence policy-makers in many countries to seek resolutions favoring Armenia over Azerbaijan. As communities, we can organize direct aid to Stepanakert (from our own pockets and initiatives); the same can be said about aid to ARMENIA. Instead, the money goes to funding Genocide recognition projects.
As an Armenian, I found it sad to see that most drives to help the local communities on the ground in Armenia were initiated by odars in NGOs or the Peace Corps. While I would never reject their help because of their background, nor am I trying to imply that their help is sad, it's sad for me that Armenians, "proud Diasporan Armenians who love their country so much", have failed to deliver.
To truly do our ancestors proud and to truly defeat the Genocide, we must find new focus in our efforts. With the Genocide being the central issue and diverting attention needed in other areas we are in effect carrying out the final steps of the Genocide; instead of the Turks directly hurting us, we are hurting ourselves now. If nothing else, what would enable to thumb our nose more at the Genocide and the Turks than working to create a strong Republic of Armenia and not allowing our past sufferings to trip us up any more than they already have?
Edited by TigrannesIII, 14 January 2005 - 04:01 PM.
