The Armenian and The Armenian

"I should like to see any power of the world

destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people,

whose wars have all been fought and lost,

whose structures have crumbled,

literature is unread,

music is unheard,

and prayers are no more answered.

Go ahead, destroy Armenia.

See if you can do it.

Send them into the desert without bread or water.

Burn their homes and churches.

Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again.

For when two of them meet anywhere in the world,

see if they will not create a New Armenia."

 

When it comes to Armenian people, the touchiest subject one can bring up is about the Armenian Genocide.  Others are probably tired of hearing about it but for the Armenians it's part of history and it just can't be forgotten.  Many documentaries and books are made that discuss this issue but one quote by William Saroyan has managed to stay famous for the Armenian people.  What makes this quote so unique is that it has so many different emotions.  Anyone who has ever read this, can tell you that they have experienced all the different emotions and struggles the quote is trying to describe.  Every time this poem is heard, it can either bring joy or tears to someone. 

This quote discusses the strength of the Armenian people and the Armenian nation.  For example, the Ottoman Empire once tried to destroy Armenia and they were almost successful, but that didn't stop the Armenian people from continuing their traditions.  If that were to ever happen again, then Armenia would stay strong and not let anything or anyone take away what they have.  It informs others about all the undiscovered literature and music that Armenia has and how it's very unique to them as a group of people.  William Saroyan was able to create this by collecting all his thoughts and ideas from the Armenian Genocide and turning it into this great quote. 

This is also one of my favorite quotes to either read or listen to.  It has been able to influence me and many more people throughout the world.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian is an American model, actor, and fashion designer.  She is best known for her reality show Keeping up With the Kardashians.  Although Kardashian isn't fully Armenian, many of her fans just consider her Armenian.  Her dad was the one who was Armenian and her mom is part Italian and American.  As a matter of fact, Kim and her family aren't very cultural.  They don't know much about the Armenian traditions and history.  Although some believe that the Kardashian family represents the Armenian race, they aren't even close to representing a whole ethnic group.  People have picked the wrong family to represent the Armenian race.  There are many other famous Armenians who are more suitable in representing their culture.  Kim Kardashian can't speak, read, or write in Armenian.  It would be nice if Famous Armenian people in Hollywood would want to be nice role models for Armenian people.  Since Kim Kardashian is such a well-known reality star, she has a great opportunity to set good examples but she chooses otherwise.  If you ask any elderly Armenian man or women what they think of Kim Kardashian and her family, they would tell you that they are ashamed.  Their family portrays Armenians in a certain way that isn't what the Armenian culture is really about.  A lot more people would know more about the Armenian culture and its traditions if famous and even political figures were able to correctly inform its listeners.  I will say that Kardashian has made an effort to have the Armenian Genocide recognized and each year she continues to demand for its recognition.

Shalaxo

Though for Food

            Armenian Cuisine is not like every other type of food.  It's origin came from Azerbaijan's cuisine.  Centuries ago, Armenian's plagiarized the cuisine of the Azerbaijan's.  Their food isn't original but it has been stolen from somewhere else.  Not only the food, but Armenians have managed to take most of their cultural traditions from the Azerbaijanis.

            The main issue of this article is about the Armenian cuisine and how it has been plagiarized from Azerbaijanis.  It contradicts to the topic of the Armenian Culture blog.  The blog discusses what type of food is eaten by the majority of the Armenians and what makes it so special.         

            The author of this article sounds like he doesn't know what he is talking about.  What if the Azerbaijanis stole the cuisines from the Armenians?  What's so special about Middle Eastern cuisine is that it is a lot more different than other types of food.  Although all Middle Eastern food is alike, Armenian food does have a uniqueness.

 

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66412

Chuck Hagel Has an Armenian Problem

            Hagel was a senator from Nebraska who criticizes the recognition of the Armenian genocide.  He says that what happened in the year 1915 should just be left alone.  Only historians should be the one to decide what happened and why.  People need to move forward and there should be peace between Armenian and Turkey.  Armenian-American leaders saw these comments as insensitive. The Armenian National Committee of America believes that this is an opportunity to whitewash the genocide. 

            Knowing that the Armenian genocide is a big part of the Armenian culture, people should understand that many traditions were changed due to it.  The music Armenians listened to or the way they spoke was changed in order to escape the killings of the Turkish people.  This issue shapes up the main topic of this blog and how it came to be.

            If a senator of a state doesn't decide to recognize the Armenian genocide, then how are any Americans supposed to recognize it.  The American people look up to their leaders and Hagel is doing a bad job at setting a good example.

 

http://freebeacon.com/chuck-hagel-has-an-armenian-problem/

Armenian Music is Terrible

            Someone wants to know if Armenian music and Jewish musical are similar and the answer he gets isn’t what he expected.  Almost all Eastern music sucks because it is repetitive and crappy.  It is also atonal and confused in rhythm.

            The guy's answer discusses only one aspect of the Armenian culture.  My topic is similar to this remark because they both discuss Armenian Music.  Although they are discussed from two different point of views they both talk about the uniqueness of the music.  He talks about how he doesn't like Eastern music (including Armenian music) and how its different from other types of music.  On the other hand, the blog talks about what makes Armenian music so great and how it's different from other cultural music. 

            This man obviously is just stating his opinion but he is being very rude about it.  He sounds ignorant and biased.  He could have said the exact same thing by using different wording.

 

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Armenian_music_similar_to_Jewish_music

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