Defining division

This is the second column in a three-part series.

I am back to report some of my findings about the Armenian

sub-groups. I took it upon myself to engage in random discussions

with Armenians of two different sub-groups who, much to my surprise,

had some interesting things to say about themselves and their fellow

Armenians.

After speaking to several people, I concluded that attitudes have

changed in the Armenian community. Although there is still lingering

ignorance, there seems to be less conflict between the sub-groups, at

least on the surface. According to many of the people I spoke with,

Armenians have come to tolerate their respective sub-cultures.

I remember 10 years ago, this was not the case during the influx

of immigration from Armenia. As more Armenians settled in Glendale,

tensions began to rise between the sub-groups. More Armenians began

showing distaste for each other and isolated cases of conflict became

a critical issue in the schools and community.

Things have changed since then. An 18-year-old named Aram who I

spoke with said the conflict tends not to be between the sub-groups.

Aram, who migrated less than 10 years ago with his family from

Armenia, said more Armenians from Armenia tend to disagree and argue

with each other. Rather than getting into conflict with say

Iranian-Armenians, they tend to fight battles with “their own kind.”

“I have not really had a problem with Barskahayes

[Iranian-Armenians],” he said. “But I’ve been in some fights with

Hayastantsis (Armenians from Armenia).”

Aram said he usually has the support of his friends who will get

involved in a conflict with the people he has problems with. He said

his Hayastansis friends have a certain demeanor that Barskahayes lack

and as a result he has no close friends who are Barskahayes.

Although he has Iranian-Armenian acquaintances, his closest

friends happen to by Hayastansis, Aram said. Little does he associate

with his respective sub-group, but he claims to respect members of

the other-subgroup.

Furthermore, Aram continued to say that differences in the

sub-groups vary so greatly that they are evident just at a glance. He

says his friends have similar mentalities and even dress alike, and

style their hair a certain way that distinguishes them as

Hayastansis.

I asked him to provide me with some examples of some of these

characteristic differences. He said that his Hayastansis friends are

defensive and hardheaded and even hot-tempered versus his Barskahaye

acquaintances who happen to be more independent--minded and lax about

certain issues.

As far as their fashion sense, “Hayastansis dress head to toe in

black and cut their hair short to their scalp, but Barskkahayes are

the opposite,” Aram said.

Another young man named Avo I spoke to said that conflict can rise

between the “new comers” and the immigrant Armenians who have lived

here for 10 years or more.

“It’s the way that they think and present themselves that makes

them different,” said Avo. The “difference” for example can be

anything from the way “new comers” dress to their mind set on family

issues.

Laura, a young Barskahaye woman I spoke with also said there seems

to be less tension between the two sub-groups. However, there are

once again notable differences she explained that sets the groups

apart and causes friction.

Laura noted that behavioral characteristics set the sub-groups

apart.

“Hayastansis are aggressive and blunt with the way they express

themselves, but Barskahayes usually attempt to be more polite when

communicating with people -- especially those in positions of

authority,” she said.

Laura, who was born and raised in the U.S., said her family still

associates predominantly with Barkahayes.

Despite the attitude changes among the Armenian sub-groups, the

fact remains that Armenians still don’t function as “one” culture and

they may never be just “one.”

I have yet to engage in more discussions and listen to more

stories. Next time with the third Armenian sub-group, the

Beirutahayes or Lebanese-Armenians.

* ANI AMIRKHANIAN is a resident of Glendale, a graduate of USC and

a freelance writer. Reach her at anisaccount@yahoo.com.