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SIT CROOKED, TALK STRAIGHT: ANCA-WR ADVOCACY DAY 2013
http://asbarez.com/108993/sit-crooked-talk-straight-anca-wr-advocacy-day-2013/
Monday, March 25th, 2013
Patrick Bairamian prepares for last year's Adocacy Day
BY PATRICK BAIRAMIAN AND LARA GARIBIAN
Be the Voice It's 9 am on a Friday. I have just tossed my third cup
of coffee in the trash bin outside of the Capitol building and I am
about to enter into the office of Assemblyman Portantino with three
strangers who have become friends in the long hours we spent on the
bus ride from Los Angeles to Sacramento.
Before I knock on the solid ten foot oak door towering in front of me,
I adjust my black skirt and mechanically brush off non-existent lint
from my blazer. "So," I think to myself, "this is how far we've come."
I'm still debating if this is the right choice for me. To be standing
in front of this door, with these people, about to enter an office
and meet a man who influences the creation of laws and mandates that
regulate the American lifestyle I have been afforded by the founding
fathers of this nation that I call my home. "We're going to go in there
and what...advocate? How does one advocate?" I attempt to stifle my
conscience from straying too far from concentration and not fill my
voice with doubt and nervousness before I greet the assembly member.
Before I shake off my uncertainty, I reach into my pocket to turn off
my phone as to not be interrupted by a vibrating phone call. I have
an unread text message. Before I ignore it and turn off my phone,
curiosity gets the better of me and I open the text. It's from Aram
Hamparian, one of our leaders in Washington DC, who has been the
colossal driving force behind this effort. The text reads short
and simply:
"We're Armenians, and we stand together, as proud sons and daughters of
our ancient tribe, in believing in and building a bright and brilliant
future for ourselves and all of humanity."
Lara Garibian with former Assemblymember Anthony Portantino during
last year's Advocacy Day
I smile at the boost of confidence the words have augmented within me.
I turn my phone off, smile to my colleagues, and open the door,
entering as an advocate.
Activism Activism. Activism. Activism. A message that has been
communicated to us for generations by our forefathers, by our families,
by our community. But, what does it mean? As an old Armenian saying
states: "Let's sit crooked and talk straight."
Before anything, take that word: "Activism," and roll it around on your
tongue for a minute. Honestly, what does that mean to you? Not as an
Armenian, not as an American, not as an anything, just...what does
that mean? Okay, now that you've discovered what it means for you,
what can you do with it?
Since the Armenian Genocide of 1915, it has been the continuous message
of activism and the importance of community participation that has
gotten us to achieve such milestones in our fight for recognition,
our building of a stronger community, and ensuring a unity remains
among the Diaspora of our people. You hear the importance of activism
conveyed through our community's most politically active organization,
the Armenian National Committee of America. The ANCA's successes show
their true face when we as a community rallied together to promote the
sacred preservation of Armenian churches crumbling in Western Armenia
at the hands of the Turkish Government, during the nomination of
Azerbaijan's ambassador Matt Bryza, and countless local campaigns that
preserve the very core of what we consider our culture and ethnicity.
But what do all of these campaigns mean? Is there message only:
"Please donate to our cause?" Do they mean attend "our" events? Is
it about networking, creating memories, or just having a good time?
Activism can be all those things, but it's more. How? Activism is about
passion and action. Activism is about unity and progress. It is about
reaching out to something that lies at the core of your identity and
doing something to strengthen that core and the sum of it's parts.
Activism is about letting your voice be heard not just for yourself,
but for your community, your people, the mutual cause, and the change
it creates. To be the change that you want to see in the world, as
Gandhi - the world's greatest advocate - said, we can no longer claim
to be "involved." An activist is a humanitarian, not for one cause,
but for equal justice among all people. He is he, she is she, and in
activism, there is no difference. We are that particle of light that
streams through the darkness, never abandoning hope in place of fatigue
or failure. We do not falter, and although in our battles we may be
challenged endlessly; and our faith in the cause may be questioned, we,
as an advocate never allow doubt to supersede the message of equality,
and human justice to which we have allied our core values with. Be
the change, don't settle for superficial advocacy. Be the voice of
your community, for our ranks need leaders indeed! Unite with your
people, yet more importantly, allow for the people that are in your
grasp to unite with each other and be the cause as one.
My first experience of attending the California Advocacy Day was
something that shaped my definition of activism greatly. I volunteered
endless hours emailing the offices of Assembly members and State
Senators to arrange meetings so that our community members would have
the ability to meet and speak to their community leaders about what
issues were current and important to them. I remember being awake until
three in the morning along side my friend and partner in organizing
this event, and wanting to make sure that each constituent was fully
prepared for their meetings and the day ahead. I also remember the
flood of self doubt that accompanied my own responsibilities as a
team leader. However, in the end, I realized how much I valued the
entire experience and the confidence it gave me to continue being
active. I realized my definition of activism was to make sure I was
heard and to realize that my participation, whether I was new to the
game or not, was making a difference on an individual and community
level. I understood the power one voice carried.
However, it was up to me to take those risks and involve myself in
something at such a large level.
The forum to be heard and the opportunities to be active are ever
present. Take this opportunity and be the activist by taking part in
this year's Advocacy Day on April 15th. Join the Armenian National
Committee of America and represent your community. Represent your
cause. Represent your needs and your identity! Let your local and
State officials see who you are and that you matter, that your people
matter, that your community matters. And along the way, make those
memories, meet new people, build and strengthen your connections,
and above all else, take action!
Those interested in attending should register at itsmyseat.com/ancawr.
Registration includes transportation to and from Sacramento and hotel
accommodations. Space is limited. If you have questions regarding
accommodations or any other details, please contact ANCA-WR External
Affairs Deputy Tereza Yerimyan, at (818) 500-1918 or [email protected].
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.
http://asbarez.com/108993/sit-crooked-talk-straight-anca-wr-advocacy-day-2013/
Monday, March 25th, 2013
Patrick Bairamian prepares for last year's Adocacy Day
BY PATRICK BAIRAMIAN AND LARA GARIBIAN
Be the Voice It's 9 am on a Friday. I have just tossed my third cup
of coffee in the trash bin outside of the Capitol building and I am
about to enter into the office of Assemblyman Portantino with three
strangers who have become friends in the long hours we spent on the
bus ride from Los Angeles to Sacramento.
Before I knock on the solid ten foot oak door towering in front of me,
I adjust my black skirt and mechanically brush off non-existent lint
from my blazer. "So," I think to myself, "this is how far we've come."
I'm still debating if this is the right choice for me. To be standing
in front of this door, with these people, about to enter an office
and meet a man who influences the creation of laws and mandates that
regulate the American lifestyle I have been afforded by the founding
fathers of this nation that I call my home. "We're going to go in there
and what...advocate? How does one advocate?" I attempt to stifle my
conscience from straying too far from concentration and not fill my
voice with doubt and nervousness before I greet the assembly member.
Before I shake off my uncertainty, I reach into my pocket to turn off
my phone as to not be interrupted by a vibrating phone call. I have
an unread text message. Before I ignore it and turn off my phone,
curiosity gets the better of me and I open the text. It's from Aram
Hamparian, one of our leaders in Washington DC, who has been the
colossal driving force behind this effort. The text reads short
and simply:
"We're Armenians, and we stand together, as proud sons and daughters of
our ancient tribe, in believing in and building a bright and brilliant
future for ourselves and all of humanity."
Lara Garibian with former Assemblymember Anthony Portantino during
last year's Advocacy Day
I smile at the boost of confidence the words have augmented within me.
I turn my phone off, smile to my colleagues, and open the door,
entering as an advocate.
Activism Activism. Activism. Activism. A message that has been
communicated to us for generations by our forefathers, by our families,
by our community. But, what does it mean? As an old Armenian saying
states: "Let's sit crooked and talk straight."
Before anything, take that word: "Activism," and roll it around on your
tongue for a minute. Honestly, what does that mean to you? Not as an
Armenian, not as an American, not as an anything, just...what does
that mean? Okay, now that you've discovered what it means for you,
what can you do with it?
Since the Armenian Genocide of 1915, it has been the continuous message
of activism and the importance of community participation that has
gotten us to achieve such milestones in our fight for recognition,
our building of a stronger community, and ensuring a unity remains
among the Diaspora of our people. You hear the importance of activism
conveyed through our community's most politically active organization,
the Armenian National Committee of America. The ANCA's successes show
their true face when we as a community rallied together to promote the
sacred preservation of Armenian churches crumbling in Western Armenia
at the hands of the Turkish Government, during the nomination of
Azerbaijan's ambassador Matt Bryza, and countless local campaigns that
preserve the very core of what we consider our culture and ethnicity.
But what do all of these campaigns mean? Is there message only:
"Please donate to our cause?" Do they mean attend "our" events? Is
it about networking, creating memories, or just having a good time?
Activism can be all those things, but it's more. How? Activism is about
passion and action. Activism is about unity and progress. It is about
reaching out to something that lies at the core of your identity and
doing something to strengthen that core and the sum of it's parts.
Activism is about letting your voice be heard not just for yourself,
but for your community, your people, the mutual cause, and the change
it creates. To be the change that you want to see in the world, as
Gandhi - the world's greatest advocate - said, we can no longer claim
to be "involved." An activist is a humanitarian, not for one cause,
but for equal justice among all people. He is he, she is she, and in
activism, there is no difference. We are that particle of light that
streams through the darkness, never abandoning hope in place of fatigue
or failure. We do not falter, and although in our battles we may be
challenged endlessly; and our faith in the cause may be questioned, we,
as an advocate never allow doubt to supersede the message of equality,
and human justice to which we have allied our core values with. Be
the change, don't settle for superficial advocacy. Be the voice of
your community, for our ranks need leaders indeed! Unite with your
people, yet more importantly, allow for the people that are in your
grasp to unite with each other and be the cause as one.
My first experience of attending the California Advocacy Day was
something that shaped my definition of activism greatly. I volunteered
endless hours emailing the offices of Assembly members and State
Senators to arrange meetings so that our community members would have
the ability to meet and speak to their community leaders about what
issues were current and important to them. I remember being awake until
three in the morning along side my friend and partner in organizing
this event, and wanting to make sure that each constituent was fully
prepared for their meetings and the day ahead. I also remember the
flood of self doubt that accompanied my own responsibilities as a
team leader. However, in the end, I realized how much I valued the
entire experience and the confidence it gave me to continue being
active. I realized my definition of activism was to make sure I was
heard and to realize that my participation, whether I was new to the
game or not, was making a difference on an individual and community
level. I understood the power one voice carried.
However, it was up to me to take those risks and involve myself in
something at such a large level.
The forum to be heard and the opportunities to be active are ever
present. Take this opportunity and be the activist by taking part in
this year's Advocacy Day on April 15th. Join the Armenian National
Committee of America and represent your community. Represent your
cause. Represent your needs and your identity! Let your local and
State officials see who you are and that you matter, that your people
matter, that your community matters. And along the way, make those
memories, meet new people, build and strengthen your connections,
and above all else, take action!
Those interested in attending should register at itsmyseat.com/ancawr.
Registration includes transportation to and from Sacramento and hotel
accommodations. Space is limited. If you have questions regarding
accommodations or any other details, please contact ANCA-WR External
Affairs Deputy Tereza Yerimyan, at (818) 500-1918 or [email protected].
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.