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Wednesday 31 March 2010

...of "Armenian descent"

Looking through the lists of scholarship possibilities available in the UK (among Diasporan organisations) specifically for Armenian students, I came across one definition of being of Armenian descent as “sons and daughters of Armenian fathers”.

This makes me wonder. How do we define the “Armenian descent”? I know, it’s common to consider belonging to an ethnic group from the father’s side. Perhaps, it’s easy for administrative purposes and considering limited resources available. But what about those with the mixed ethnicity, say, half-Armenians on the mother’s side? Why only students of “Armenian fathers”?

Sure, in case of mixed ethnicity, the most important is how this particular person identifies himself/herself, in terms of ethnic belonging. On the other hand, we have habits of calling Armenian anyone who has just 1/100s, or any trace, of Armenian roots.

6 comments:

Liana said...

very interesting - makes me think. I tend to even consider those who have no ethnic Armenian affiliation but are thoroughly familiar with Armenian affairs/history/language as Armenian.

I guess for the purposes of a scholarship, I would accept someone of Armenian descent, no matter what amount the descent was, but "sons and daughters of Armenian's fathers?" Doesn't seem right in this day and age.

Unfortunately, I never applied to any Armenian scholarships. I wish I had. Maybe when and if I decide to go to grad school ;)

Onnik Krikorian said...

Yeah, it's an interesting thought and one representative of patriarchy, I guess. Would not have expected it from a Diaspora organization, however. Obviously, it needs to be changed because, actually, it's discrimination and not based on any legal definition.

On the other hand, as someone who is half-Armenian I also object to having my mother's side of the family effectively relegated to nothingness on the basis that my father was. Like you say, it depends on how individuals see themselves too.

And that is a fundamental human right, actually.

Anonymous said...

Замечательно, значит моим детям ничего не светит...грррр...

Mika, urish harcov em ekel...

karogh a unenas kam imanas vortegh kan patmutyunner mer erkrasharji masin...Mi keghtot rus jurnalist ka, vor' allegedly azerineri zakazov hodvatzner' grel mer masin

http://shurigin.livejournal.com/

4 hodvatz a, baic verghi 3- en karevor

Anonymous said...

uffff, eli moraca LJ mtnei...

to bila ya ;-)

artmika said...

Es tenc el zgaci :)

Re hopes: do not give up, as I found such a definition only in documents of one Diasporan organisation, and I am not sure how this is dealt with, to what extent they enforce it etc. In any case, hopefully this will get changed.

Inch verabervum a erkrasharzhi masin patmutyunnerin, es pahi drutyamb, angleren asats, off the top of my head, tenc hatuk linker chem pahel, u chgitem te konkret inch patmutyunner es uzum. Khorhurd ktayi mer ditord-in dimel. Inqe ays harcov erevi aveli shat kkaroghana ognel.

Anonymous said...

OK, thanks ;-)

Nayecir ira blog? Dran hakarak a petq, mi qich havaqel enq stegh...

http://bsw-am.livejournal.com/91763.html

Cavalin nay a, vor inq' terti jurnalist a, metz auditoria uni...