“You know,” the middle-aged sales clerk chimed in, “We
should send a letter thanking the Turks for committing the genocide. As a result,
Armenians were scattered around the world and now they can send us money here
in Armenia.” I almost dropped the book I was leafing through. I couldn’t
believe what I had just overheard… Now, I am confident that this woman is in
the minority when it comes to such thoughts. But I am equally sure that there
are many who think like her here in Armenia. You just have to scratch the
surface.
***
The following is a true story...unfortunately.
I had just finished a day’s work translating for Hetq.
Around 4:30, I decided to take a walk outside. It looked like another great day
in Yerevan; warm and sunny.
Making my way down Abovyan Street, I stepped into a
well-known bookstore off Republic Square. I headed towards the Armenian history
and literature section towards the back.
Seated were some of the sales staff – two women, probably
in their late twenties, and a middle-aged one. Not surprisingly they were
complaining about the state of affairs in Armenia.
“They say a nation gets the government it deserves,”
commented one.
“That’s right. Armenians like to boast about their
ancient civilization and all, but can you call what we’re living today
civilized?” her colleague replied.
“It’s so sad,” said the first. “But at least we Armenians
are a clever bunch. We make do with the measly wages we make.”
“You know,” the middle-aged sales clerk chimed in, “We
should send a letter thanking the Turks for committing the genocide. As a result,
Armenians were scattered around the world and now they can send us money here
in Armenia.”
I almost dropped the book I was leafing through. I
couldn’t believe what I had just overheard.
“It’s the truth,” said the middle-aged clerk. “It may
sound a bit crude but that’s what I think.”
The younger clerks began to giggle. I felt an intense
impulse to go over and choke the woman.
I weighed my options. What would be the proper response
to such an ignorant and uncompassionate comment?
I felt like turning to the woman and in the most polite
voice I could muster saying, “Perhaps you should pick up one of the many books
on the Genocide you sell here. Take a look at some of the photos of the death
marches and the starving orphans left parentless. Maybe you’ll think before
uttering such crap.”
Now, I am confident that this woman is in the minority
when it comes to such thoughts. But I am equally sure that there are many who
think like her here in Armenia. You just have to scratch the surface.
Do all citizens of Armenia regard “outside” Armenians,
many descendants of Genocide survivors, as convenient money faucets? Is that
how many regard me? an “outsider and descendant of Genocide survivors.”
It makes your skin crawl...at least that’s how I felt at
that moment.
Even more unreal was the fact that right down the street,
representatives of the AGBU were staying at the Marriott Hotel. There was even
a big AGBU sign outside on the sidewalk announcing the fact.
The cafe tables outside the hotel were full of what I assumed
were AGBU members sipping their drinks and conversing in Western Armenian. A
lone local resident was pacing back and forth on the sidewalk selling nuts from
a plastic bag.
An eerie combination indeed...but one that kind of sums
up our present reality in a crazy sort of way. Perhaps the sales clerk was
right. Who am I to judge?
The AGBU – one of the biggest Armenian money faucets
around. I’m sure the bookstore sales clerk would have been overjoyed that her
wish was coming true.
One thing for sure, the AGBU and other outside donor
sources should demand a greater degree of accountability from the Armenian
government to see that the money reaches its intended targets.
Maybe that ignorant sales clerk thought I was one of
those rich AGBU types and she wanted to crack what she thought was a clever
joke at my expense. If so, she’s doubly an asshole.
It’s just another sad commentary on the gulf that divides
the realities of present-day Armenia and the global Diaspora.
Both sides have yet reached a point of mutual
recognition.
Now the sales clerk in question evidently was aware of
the 1915 Genocide, but for her it was just another tragic page in the history
of the Armenian people; one that she believes has a "silver lining".
That’s to say it’s not an integral part of her personal identity, of who she is
and where she comes from. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have used it as a reference
for jokes.
I just wonder how many others think like her when they
walk up the hill to the Tzitzernakapert Genocide Memorial and Eternal Flame
every April 24th.
Please tell me I’m paranoid. Please tell me that we, as a
nation, can overcome the stereotypes on both sides of the divide and reach some
common understanding as to how we can cooperate and build a better Armenia for
us all.
1 yorum:
Armenia for us all is not complete in whole that's what the problem is.
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