04/30/2026
A while back, during a conversation, one person told me that he is a “real” Armenian. I asked how he arrived at that conclusion, he responded: “Well, I am Armenian, I was born in Armenia, I speak Armenian - therefore I am a real Armenian.
The whole notion of creating a separation within a nation is distasteful. Nevertheless, this got me thinking: what does it mean to be Armenian? For that matter, German, Eritrean, Austrian, Serbian, Polish, Irish, Croatian, American and any other nationality or ethnicity. What is “Armenianness”?
How do we identify ourselves? Is it ascriptive, like DNA? Is it objective, like place of birth or knowledge of the history or language? Is it facial characteristics, such as the “big Armenian nose”? Is it continuous residence or physical presence in Armenia? Perhaps all of these are true.
But an enemy can learn your language and study your history. Facial characteristics can be altered, if one is so inclined. Others may carry our DNA as a result of genocides or mixed marriages and many people now maintain multiple homes around the world. What is it, then?
Monte Melkonian came from USA to fight for the freedom of Artsakh during the first Artsakh war. English was his native language, though he spoke over seven others. He never owned a property in Armenia and was not born there. Yet, he dedicated his life and paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of his people. Today, he is a national hero.
What matters in life is where your heart is. Your consistent, volitional effort toward the benefit of the people you represent is the true indicator of your nationality. "Armenianness" is a choice of service rather than a circumstance of birth.
