BY GAREN YEGPARIAN
It’s funny that just as in last week’s article, I feel compelled to explain the roots, the basis, of what I am about to assert, colloquially – “where I’m coming from.” Otherwise, my views may seem contradictory, or, at least unlikely to lead to the conclusions that follow.
I write these words as someone who:
1. was never enamored of many Armenians’ obsession with “unity” at any or all costs, or perceiving it as an end in itself;
2. has attended, and observed, with a critical eye, the events I address;
3. is saddened by youthful energies misdirected and abused by people with ulterior motives or self-aggrandizing agendas.
It’s time for the Unified Young Armenians (UYA) to mature. It’s time for UYA to stop serving (I hope for the most part inadvertently) other, outside (geographically), political purposes. It’s time to start cooperating with ALL the other organizations in the greater Los Angeles area when it comes to major April 24 activities instead of acting obstreperous.
When the UYA (then known as the United Armenian Students) first organized its “circular” Hollywood March in 2001, many factors were at play. It was an attempt at unified action by sincere young Armenians. Unfortunately, by all accounts, it was also a tool in the hands of the disgraced President Levon Der Bedrossian’s LA-minions who managed to gain effective control over what might have been a proud achievement. But most importantly, as I wrote in 2004, it was “a moment of political maturation for the segment of our community that had most recently departed from Armenia. It was strangely fulfilling and inspiring.”
Since then, the event, put on with great effort and significant expense, has stagnated. April 24th cannot serve merely as a time of self-assertion. It must also be a day when Armenians worldwide most intensely channel their political will and demands. These must be targeted at our state enemies – primarily Turkey (Azerbaijan is, of course, more immediate, but it is also a mere bump in the road compared to its big-brother). To that end, we must take actions that are relevant, even when in the symbolic realm. Hence, April 24th actions must be directed at Turkey. In Los Angeles, that means the Turkish Consulate General located at the corner of Wilshire and Crescent Heights.
Fortunately, all other groups in LA have come together in organizing and supporting the decades-long tradition of demonstrating at the consulate. The AYF, which organized that action for many years, has even ceded its aegis over the event to the joint, community-wide, effort. The UYA refuses to join.
That must stop. Other segments of our community, long known for their recalcitrance, and, I would add, petulance and divisiveness, have lent their name and influence to these Turkey-directed demonstrations. It’s time for UYA to follow suit.
Clearly, given the Republic of Armenia’s most recent election results, Der Bedrossian’s time has come and gone. Equally clearly, there are energized, sincere, activists who dedicate much effort to organizing UYA’s march each year. Imagine how much more potent we could be in LA if that energy was not needlessly dissipated. In parallel, if this separatism is about ego—individual or organizational—then it’s also time to take a big gulp and swallow that excess pride. Everyone else is doing it to further common goals, the UYA and its members should be held to the same standard.
I ask UYA to join the rest of the community in 2018.
I ask everyone to urge UYA to join the rest of the community in 2018.
We’re a third world people and will remain so for the foreseeable future. In fighting is a trade mark of all failed societies and communities.
An Appropriate Quote for this article! “To share power really means to give up control — or, to be more precise, to let go of an illusion of control.”
There can be more than one approach to a problem Garen.
In your article you left out the fact that UYA has done many things for Armenia and the community as a whole. You also failed to mention that UYA has mobilized an extremely young demographic, which other organizations have generally failed to do. Having prominent individuals such as, Adam Schiff and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti annually attend events is no easy task. I’m sure it has taken them years to cultivate such relationships and continue to foster them.
Its always easy to criticize an organization for a few of its short comings however, it is a more difficult task to actually see all the work thats done before an end product is unveiled. Your condescending article is in no way going to create a better relationship with UYA. You should offer an olive branch rather than vitriol.
FYI these are my opinions and not that of UYA.
Simply put; exactly.
For those of us outside the L.A. area who are not familiar with UYA, we need some explanation. Exactly what is it that they do that demonstrates a lack of unity with the rest of the Armenian organizations? And how are they influenced by Der Bedrossian? Can someone clarify?
Very well written Garen. I support and agree with you 100%. However, it’s very unfortunate as Armenians have always been divided at everything else. Why should April 24th be different.
These seem to be well-time and legitimate suggestions. If UYA has a constructive rebuttal, I would like to see it soon…in this comment section. UYA should also submit an op-ed, to run in the pages (and on the website) of the Asbarez. If what Garen has written accurate, it is shameful.
Very well written. Garen, you have answered all the possible questions for “why UYA not joining the rest”. Another possibility, in my opinion, there are some individuals called “Avac Serount” who are trying to give us the impression that they are supporting UYA. In realty, these individuals have their own agenda which is “marginate” the influence of ARF in the diaspora.
Im not sure if what Im about to say is related to this (I have not read the previous article) but if it is, I agree 100%…why do we have 2 major events happening on April 24th in Los Angeles?? One of them is in little Armenia and the other one is the march to the Turkish embassy. Why cant we join as one bigger group and stick to one event on the 24th. Myself included, there was a confusion with a lot of people in little Armenian the day of. We were wondering if this is the only event…or are we marching from little Armenia to the embassy…do we have to now drive to the embassy…how many events are there? These were some of the questions lingering amongst us. Once the little Armenia event was over, we decided to drive towards the embassy. There we saw people marching. So we had to park somewhere and meet them halfway. This is unorganized. Joining two events together would have a bigger impact and especially bigger size of people. Somebody fix this.