Ooops!An Armenian!!

[Guest]

I don't think anybody talked about that before...I want you guys to speak about situations when you were mistreated just because you're Armenian.I know that it's a big issue for the Armenians that live in Russia and European countries.A lot of people may not like us not necessarily because we are hayer,but just for looking very different(You know what I mean)

For me it was,is and will be a serious topic as long as I'm in Russia.Many Armenians are victims of stereotypes and prejudice....

I'm at the University!But still there are people that make my nationality a big issue!

I have a professor here that HATES Armenians(I don't know for what...)A lot of my friends transferred because of her.It is very hard for me prove my knowledge to her(It's obvious that she's sure all hayer are dumb..lol)but I do!!and I will do!!

Damn!!We are a great nation

[Guest]

Nvard jan lots of times.

Even with people that my mum hangs around with, let you in on a secret, even my own family sometimes! I don't really hang about with greek people a lot but they regard us as beneath them a little, kind of like gypsies. Anyway I can see some of those little looks they give me but she doesnt notice.

I'm more faithful to my mum, but I can just imagine what my dad went through, so I can understand where he's coming from in a way though I'd never repeat some of his stupid mistakes.

I have said B4 on the forum that people ask me where I'm from. But in a way that is innapropriate and over familiar in my opinion, like people I've only just met asking me straightaway. Then when I tell them, well the english dont have a problem but you can tell they dont know what i mean, the greeks do a bit them they try to hide it. Some are nice. I was in Safeways buying a sandwhich and a guy said to another "where this girl from?" Yeah, talk about me as if I'm not there! Do you see what I mean? I remeber that time really getting pissed off. I find it rude then I dont tell them anymore. And then when I when I start letting my background in the conversation they sometimes change the subject or give a little cough and look away. It makes me feel so mad and hurt. my mum said something to someone, I dont know what it was about, and he said "What do you think I am, a little armenian boy?" I said, no, but I am a little armenian girl! I was about twelve at the time, I cant rememeber the rest but I remember her being pretty mad afterwards,lol.

The thing about racism though is that most groups of people always need to look down on other groups of people because it makes them feel big, but theyre not being very!

Who is this awful teacher jan? Let me come and kill her! lol lol But there must be some sort of a governing body that you can report her to if it becomes too much. I never knew you were at uni, what are you doing?

[Guest]

Dear Nvard,

 

If my advice may be of any value, I would recommend you to take it easier. Always remember that there are a lot of ignorant people around, and don't try to prove anything to them. Also remember that Armenians don't always treat each other better. Similar stereotypes exist even inside Armenia, or Armenian Diaspora. Even the Armenians from one region look down at the Armenians from other regions. It is sad, but it is a reality.

 

Don't feel guilty for being Armenian, nor angry. And don't try to persuade your professor. She is not any different than many Armenians. Do your best to graduate at the cost of minimal confrontation, and assert your pride for your nation through your victories, and your feeling of casuality of your successes.

 

I agree with Kazza (I hope I understand her correctly), that it is also an indication of a bad tone to ask somebody about his/her nationality/ethnicity, even if he/she has different looks or accent. It may be proper to ask such question, if there are already established relations. It is like asking "how old are you?" or "how many pounds do you weigh?" etc, when you first meet somebody?

 

I never ask anybody such questions. I don't care if they are Americans, Armenians or Turks. "Let's talk, and we will find out." Only the people of our region (including Armenians, Arabs, Iranians, Asories, Greeks, etc.) have asked me that question, before they have known me otherwise.

 

But we are like that too, by in large. We also judge people by where are they from, rather than who they are.

 

When such people ask me "where do you come from," I say "from home," or "from work." Or when they ask "where are you born," I say "In a hospital." In most of the cases, that's the end of the conversation. I don't want to talk about it not because I am ashamed to any degree regarding where do I come from, but it is an attitude. An attitude, which in Armenian may sound like "Kez inch?"

[Guest]

Armenians do face prejudice here in Southern California, though it may not be to the degree that other minority groups undergo. I believe this prejudice can be attributed to the following factors:

 

1. Armenians are often taken to be Hispanics (by their appearance). Thus they face the same prejudice that Hispanics often encounter.

 

2. Armenians are lumped into the category of "Middle Eastern." Since the Hostage Crisis, The Gulf War, and now our friend Bin Laden, there is a general antipathy and suspicion of all things Middle Eastern by many Americans of all races.

 

3. The growing incidents of Mafia, gang and racketeering activity of Armenians in Southern California. Granted it is still a small part of the Armenian population, but as usual, the reputation of the majority suffers because of a few.

 

I personally don't face prejudice for being Armenian, as I do not "look" it, or have an Armenian name. Not to break out my violin, but the only prejudice I have encountered is for being HALF Armenian.Bythe way thanks all for the "support" you have given me the last few days when a forum member slinged mud at me, and not one person spoke out. THanks also Garo for not replying to the e-mail I sent you.

[Guest]

Half,

 

 

You have listed some interesting points of causes of prejudice that some Armenians face. However, I have never encountered any from your list. The only prejudice I have faced is when immigrants from ex-Soviet Union are generally labeled Russians. So, when I say I am not Russian, everything comes back to normal.

 

In your last paragraph, I must tell, you sound like a cry baby. What is up with that? Let me advise you, before blaming others take real good look at yourself. It is said that 10% of what happens to us is caused by others, but 90% is caused by how we react to it.

[Guest]

1. Armenians are often taken to be Hispanics (by their appearance). Thus they face the same prejudice that Hispanics often encounter.

 

2. Armenians are lumped into the category of "Middle Eastern." Since the Hostage Crisis, The Gulf War, and now our friend Bin Laden, there is a general antipathy and suspicion of all things Middle Eastern by many Americans of all races.

 

3. The growing incidents of Mafia, gang and racketeering activity of Armenians in Southern California. Granted it is still a small part of the Armenian population, but as usual, the reputation of the majority suffers because of a few.

 

 

All of these shows how dumb and narrow minded "mainstream" Americans are. Not surprisingly Americans in general do not have good reputation in Europe.

 

 

 

 

[This message has been edited by gamavor (edited January 14, 2001).]

[Guest]

In Russia, people from Caucasus region with the Armenoid features are all seen as "chechens" who are now the main villains on TV.

 

In America, I have to disagree strongly with point#1 of Halfbreed's statement?? Since when have we been seen as Mexican? I don't know about Barskahai or Armenians from Iran, but Yerevantsi and Hayastansis do not look anything close to being Latino. Anglos in Hollywood, Glendale, Burbank, Van Nuys can differentiate a Mexican from an Armenian. My Anglos and Asian friends say Armenians look more white or European compared to Mexicans. We get mistaken more for being Russian, Italian, Greek, Jew, Turk, Arab and Persian than we do Latino.

 

On the otherhand, I feel that being Armenian now is worse than being Mexican in the public's eyes. WE get worse publicity than Mexicans on TV.

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by Hakob:
In America, I have to disagree strongly with point#1 of Halfbreed's statement?? Since when have we been seen as Mexican.

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My mom gets mistaken for Mexican by other Mexicans. Boy does she get pissed off when they start speaking Spanish to her. She's full Armenian, but she had a nose job which probably explains why it happens.

I get it too, but from other Armenians. They always say they weren't quite sure if I was Armenian or Mexican. This to me is strange, I look just like my mom (pre-nose job! ). I guess it's somehow the influence of my dad's genes (he is a typical sandy color haired, fair skinned green-eyed Northern Italian).



[This message has been edited by Pilafhead (edited January 14, 2001).]

[Guest]

Thank you guys for all your advices!

I feel very very bad today........

And the reason is the name of this thread...again...I had an exam today...well it went horribly.When the professor called my name she said that she's not sure everything will be OK because when she hears a -ian last name she starts to shake!!!!!!

How do you like that????????

Who cares are you smart or not...You're Armenian and that means you're supposed to be dumb and stay quiet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I stayed cool but GOSH!!I wanted to tear her ugly fat face apart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate this all........

 

STEVE:I really don't want you to leave!!!!

Please stay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

KAZZA:I study Law/Prosecution. (SCARED?)

[Guest]

aaargh! Help!

 

I'm fine, unlike my old school friend, she's got criminal a record as long as her arm!

 

I'm not scared of your teacher though because I can engineer robots (I'm doing engineering)to come and take her away, allow that!

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by Nvard:
Thank you guys for all your advices!
I feel very very bad today........
And the reason is the name of this thread...again...I had an exam today...well it went horribly.When the professor called my name she said that she's not sure everything will be OK because when she hears a -ian last name she starts to shake!!!!!!
How do you like that????????
Who cares are you smart or not...You're Armenian and that means you're supposed to be dumb and stay quiet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I stayed cool but GOSH!!I wanted to tear her ugly fat face apart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate this all........

STEVE:I really don't want you to leave!!!!
Please stay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KAZZA:I study Law/Prosecution. (SCARED?)

---

It is possible that she is saying those things out of jelousy and insecurity. Sometimes when people feel as if other people among them are superior, they are very quick to come up with put downs and insults in order to make themselves feel better. Afterall, even if those claims were true, what would be the reason of her telling you those things so bluntly?
But regardless don't give other people the ability to control how you feel by what they say. Chances are you will meet other ignorant people again in your lifetime.

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by BTac:
It is possible that she is saying those things out of jelousy and insecurity.

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I think there may be a simpler reason. For example, she might've had experiences with an Armenian man, and might be still very angered, in which case the moral would be "treat women nicely, don't reject them, which is worse than dumping, and if dumping, do it in a way that they think they are dumping you."

[Guest]

In New York, around Astoria area (where most Greeks live) I was taken as Greek, in Brooklyn for Italian, in LA I am taken for either Lebanese or Persian. Whenever I say I am Armenian, I get a response, “what? Romanian?â€. I don’t care what people think about where I come from. All I know “In Rome do like Romans doâ€.

[Guest]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pilafhead:
My mom gets mistaken for Mexican by other Mexicans. Boy does she get pissed off when they start speaking Spanish to her. She's full Armenian, but she had a nose job which probably explains why it happens.

---

This has happened to me too (especially when I was working at this bank that had a lot of Hispanic customers). Even though I don't look anything like a Latina (I have very light skin), Hispanics would come up to my window and start blabbering in Spanish. First of all I would clarify for them that I am not a Latina, then ask them to speak in English if possible (if not, I would use the Spanish I remembered from HS). It really pissed me off (to say the least). Then I realized it was my black hair (most probably) or just wishfull thinking on their part

A

PS. Its funny that Jews think I am one of them. Hispanics ... you know the story Then there is "Are you Persian?" or "You must be Greek." But I have had so many Armenians tell me I look like a typical Armenian. I guess people see what they want to see

[Guest]

On campus I'm usually thought to be Persian (heaven only knows why, probably because of the attitude...lol) Everywhere else people come up with all sorts of amazing junk...

 

You know I was thinking about this and I can't think of a single instance in the last few years. Lol, who knows, maybe I've repressed the memories...lol...I think it's because I don't carry myself like an outsider. When people do find out I'm armenian they usually compliment me on my english...lol...idiots...it's enough to make me not want to continue the conversation (well, what do you know, look at that...this kind of a thing could be considered offensive i suppose...although i just find it funny).. I'm racking my brain and there's not a single case of "mistreatment" I can cite...wow...