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Los Angeles Times Valley Edition | Glendale News-Press | 2005 August 27
The times they are a-changin'
BY PATRICK AZADIAN
The apple does not fall too far from the tree, they say.
If Armenians in our city were analogous to the fallen apple, what would the tree be?
A paradox, for sure. Here are a few hints. The tree would be aged and possess deep roots. At the same time, it would be rotting in many areas. It would be a tree with colorful leaves and branches, yet condemned with a variety of disease. The tree would be full of life. A slue of birds and insects would consider it home, yet the tree would be subject to a host of homegrown parasites.
Have you guessed it yet? Nope, it's not Armenia.
One last hint. The name I am looking for was coined by the British not so long ago. It's a relative term based on the location of the seat of the British Empire and its overseas possessions in the East.
Yes, you guessed it (or not)! It's "Middle East." More accurately, it's the region where geographers call Southwest Asia.
For better or worse, whether Armenians like to admit this unfashionable bit of truth, most of them have their immediate roots in the Middle East -- Armenia, Iran, Lebanon and Syria (listed alphabetically, and not in the order of significance). And as recent residents of those lands, most have inherited the positive as well as the negative characteristics of the people from that region. I'd like to address a few of the negatives by posing a question.
Do Armenians see themselves as actors or as pawns? Generally, people from Southwest Asia don't feel they are in control of their own destiny when it comes to political affairs.
Years of continuous occupation by foreign invaders and colonialists, followed by ruthless rule of local warmongers and absolutist dictators have produced a mind set that assumes untouchable forces always call the shots. This mentality reduces the individual to a sheepish pawn.
It's always some mysterious entity or complex conspiracy which is responsible for pulling all the strings. If it's not the Russian KGB, it's the British MI6, if it's not the Israeli Mossad it must be the Syrian Mukhabarrat. And in most cases, the assumption is not too far from the truth -- if one still lives in the Middle East.
Don't get me wrong, this does not mean that Armenians are not interested in politics. On the contrary, get two of them together and they'll claim they know the cause and cure of all the political ills in the world, only to sarcastically conclude that they are just inert bystanders.
Moreover, being a minority in all their previous homes (Armenia excluded), as well as being survivors of a genocide, has posed certain priorities and limitations for Armenian communities.
As survivors of genocide, Armenians have mainly been preoccupied with physical and financial survival, as opportunities in commerce have been available to them. In the realm of politics and activism, however, prospects for advancement have been scarce or nonexistent. In the Middle East, chances for real engagement in politics are in short-supply for the ordinary citizen, let alone for an individual belonging to a minority group.
The above phenomena have bred certain attitudes among Armenians, which they have brought with them to Glendale.
First, the idea of political activism in local politics has not been seen as a priority. At best, the efforts for recognition of the Armenian Genocide have been the main thrust of political activity for most Armenians.
Secondly, the concepts of volunteerism and altruism have not taken root in the community. Parents may instill the value of helping others in their children, but end up discouraging them once the youngsters actually take steps in volunteering for nonprofit causes. The argument against activism is always the same: "It will hurt your future."
And last, all careers that have not been associated with financial success (in the Middle East) have not been deemed desirable. Pursuits in politics, journalism, public service, literature and the arts haven't proven popular. Medicine, law, engineering and business remain to be the most respected professions in the community.
Combined, these attitudes have kept Armenians on the margins of local politics (don't let the numbers on the City Council fool you), public service and nonprofit causes. Yet, in recent years mentalities have evolved, as the Americanization of the Armenian community has taken its natural course.
This is a testament to the fact that when presented with prospects and rewards for engagement in politics and worthy causes in a democratic society, people will respond positively.
As Bob Dylan would say, "The times they are a-changin'. "
The destiny of the Armenian community in Glendale is now in their own hands.
No longer can we blame others for our woes and shortcomings.
As important as the remembrance of the past injustices may be, as sensible as accumulation of wealth is, passivity and sarcasm toward responsibilities to the future of our mutual city and community should now be viewed as archaic and outdated.
Copyright 2005 Glendale News Press
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