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TAKING ISSUE WITH EXTREMISM
The Collegian (Fresno State Univ), CA
Oct 4 2013
By Megi Hakobjanyan | October 03, 2013 | Opinion
Comment! Print As a junior majoring in political science and a
Christian Armenian born and raised in Armenia, the extremist labeling
from all sides and all issues concerns me.
In my opinion, the reason the government has shut down is because
there is no longer bipartisanship or moderation left in the politicians
and citizens.
I recently read the op-eds of Sumaya Attia and Haley Lambert. As an
Armenian that is still adjusting to American ways, I realized that
the issues being discussed are related to my concerns.
Nowadays most "heated" issues have become black and white, when in
reality, those are the issues that are the most complex and convoluted.
If you believe there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute George
Zimmerman, you are perceived as a racist. If you agree with writings
of Ayn Rand, you are perceived as a die-hard libertarian. If you
believe that many Palestinians in Israel are being treated unjustly,
you are called an anti-Semite, and the list goes on.
It shocks and terrifies me how confident people on both sides are and
how many "moderates," such as myself, shy away from these topics. We
believe that if we take the "middle man" position and question both
sides, we will be perceived as weak and uneducated.
Having been raised in Armenia and taught history in Armenia until I
was in my teens, I have studied Armenian history extensively.
In 301 A.D., Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity. Since
then, Armenia has been brutally attacked by several Islamic nations,
until it all escalated into the Armenian Genocide of 1915 carried
out by Muslim Turks.
Growing up in Armenia and reading Armenian literature, in which
writers and historians extensively discuss the atrocities that
Christian Armenians underwent during those wars and the genocide,
one can't help but be raised biased against all Muslims.
However, when I moved to the United States and met many peace-loving
Muslims from all over the world and as I was humbled in Jerusalem by
Muslim hospitality, I understood that even this heated issue is not
black and white.
Attia and Lambert wrote about why one should not or should have to
denounce extremist factions of one's religion or ethnicity.
As an Armenian and a Christian, I disagree that denouncing extremist
factions of your ethnicity or religion is unfair or prejudicial.
As a Christian, I disassociate myself from Christian entities such
as Westboro Baptist Church or even the preachers that come on this
campus and scream about hell and punishment.
In Oct. 2011, in Los Angeles, 52 Armenians were convicted of a $160
million nationwide Medicare fraud.
At the time, I felt great shame, and my Armenian pride was hurt.
Now in Los Angeles, it seems like when you say you are an Armenian,
the non-Armenians do not always welcome you, as they associate you
with those people who commit fraud.
I don't let this get me too angry. After all, bad news travels fast
and so do stereotypes.
Instead, I express my deepest regrets that some Armenian-Americans
were involved in such activity. Then I educate the prejudiced people
about my heritage (as that is my responsibility and no one else's!)
and assure them that there are far more hard-working and patriotic
Armenian-Americans.
It is my opinion that controversial or heated issues are no longer
being talked about because the extremists of both sides don't allow
conversations to happen.
Being moderate about some controversial issues should not be
equivocated with being weak or apathetic.
Neither side should be hurt or offended when others question them
about their religion or ethnicity.
Megi Hakobjanyan emigrated to Fresno, Calif. from Yerevan, Armenia
during her freshman year of high school. When she graduates, she
plans to work in the field of foreign affairs.
http://collegian.csufresno.edu/2013/10/03/taking-issue-with-extremism/
From: Baghdasarian
The Collegian (Fresno State Univ), CA
Oct 4 2013
By Megi Hakobjanyan | October 03, 2013 | Opinion
Comment! Print As a junior majoring in political science and a
Christian Armenian born and raised in Armenia, the extremist labeling
from all sides and all issues concerns me.
In my opinion, the reason the government has shut down is because
there is no longer bipartisanship or moderation left in the politicians
and citizens.
I recently read the op-eds of Sumaya Attia and Haley Lambert. As an
Armenian that is still adjusting to American ways, I realized that
the issues being discussed are related to my concerns.
Nowadays most "heated" issues have become black and white, when in
reality, those are the issues that are the most complex and convoluted.
If you believe there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute George
Zimmerman, you are perceived as a racist. If you agree with writings
of Ayn Rand, you are perceived as a die-hard libertarian. If you
believe that many Palestinians in Israel are being treated unjustly,
you are called an anti-Semite, and the list goes on.
It shocks and terrifies me how confident people on both sides are and
how many "moderates," such as myself, shy away from these topics. We
believe that if we take the "middle man" position and question both
sides, we will be perceived as weak and uneducated.
Having been raised in Armenia and taught history in Armenia until I
was in my teens, I have studied Armenian history extensively.
In 301 A.D., Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity. Since
then, Armenia has been brutally attacked by several Islamic nations,
until it all escalated into the Armenian Genocide of 1915 carried
out by Muslim Turks.
Growing up in Armenia and reading Armenian literature, in which
writers and historians extensively discuss the atrocities that
Christian Armenians underwent during those wars and the genocide,
one can't help but be raised biased against all Muslims.
However, when I moved to the United States and met many peace-loving
Muslims from all over the world and as I was humbled in Jerusalem by
Muslim hospitality, I understood that even this heated issue is not
black and white.
Attia and Lambert wrote about why one should not or should have to
denounce extremist factions of one's religion or ethnicity.
As an Armenian and a Christian, I disagree that denouncing extremist
factions of your ethnicity or religion is unfair or prejudicial.
As a Christian, I disassociate myself from Christian entities such
as Westboro Baptist Church or even the preachers that come on this
campus and scream about hell and punishment.
In Oct. 2011, in Los Angeles, 52 Armenians were convicted of a $160
million nationwide Medicare fraud.
At the time, I felt great shame, and my Armenian pride was hurt.
Now in Los Angeles, it seems like when you say you are an Armenian,
the non-Armenians do not always welcome you, as they associate you
with those people who commit fraud.
I don't let this get me too angry. After all, bad news travels fast
and so do stereotypes.
Instead, I express my deepest regrets that some Armenian-Americans
were involved in such activity. Then I educate the prejudiced people
about my heritage (as that is my responsibility and no one else's!)
and assure them that there are far more hard-working and patriotic
Armenian-Americans.
It is my opinion that controversial or heated issues are no longer
being talked about because the extremists of both sides don't allow
conversations to happen.
Being moderate about some controversial issues should not be
equivocated with being weak or apathetic.
Neither side should be hurt or offended when others question them
about their religion or ethnicity.
Megi Hakobjanyan emigrated to Fresno, Calif. from Yerevan, Armenia
during her freshman year of high school. When she graduates, she
plans to work in the field of foreign affairs.
http://collegian.csufresno.edu/2013/10/03/taking-issue-with-extremism/
From: Baghdasarian