I’d like to tell you a story on a hot humid afternoon in Virginia in 1980 I
humid afternoon in Virginia in 1980 I
humid afternoon in Virginia in 1980 I was a little boy playing in the
was a little boy playing in the
was a little boy playing in the neighborhood playground with my friend D
neighborhood playground with my friend D
neighborhood playground with my friend D my family had moved from Boston a few
my family had moved from Boston a few
my family had moved from Boston a few years before because my mom worked for
years before because my mom worked for
years before because my mom worked for Voice of America the Soviet Army and
Voice of America the Soviet Army and
Voice of America the Soviet Army and division as a broadcaster she’d seemed
division as a broadcaster she’d seemed
division as a broadcaster she’d seemed worried lately I didn’t know that it was
worried lately I didn’t know that it was
worried lately I didn’t know that it was because 52 American diplomats and
because 52 American diplomats and
because 52 American diplomats and citizens some of whom she knew had been
citizens some of whom she knew had been
citizens some of whom she knew had been taken hostage in Iran and what would
taken hostage in Iran and what would
taken hostage in Iran and what would become one of the longest hostage crises
become one of the longest hostage crises
become one of the longest hostage crises in history lasting 444 days I was just a
in history lasting 444 days I was just a
in history lasting 444 days I was just a little boy unaware playing with D on a
little boy unaware playing with D on a
little boy unaware playing with D on a summer day his family was from the
summer day his family was from the
summer day his family was from the Philippines all my friends at the time
Philippines all my friends at the time
Philippines all my friends at the time were non Armenian there were Cuban
were non Armenian there were Cuban
were non Armenian there were Cuban Indian Syrian Irish Australian black
Saudi and I were playing on this small
Saudi and I were playing on this small merry-go-round
merry-go-round
merry-go-round one of us would push it hard to make it
one of us would push it hard to make it
one of us would push it hard to make it spin faster while the other would try to
spin faster while the other would try to
spin faster while the other would try to stand up in balance without falling down
stand up in balance without falling down
stand up in balance without falling down there was no one else around at the
there was no one else around at the
there was no one else around at the playground except two older white boys
playground except two older white boys
playground except two older white boys sitting on a bench there wearing denim
sitting on a bench there wearing denim
sitting on a bench there wearing denim jackets and drinking something from a
jackets and drinking something from a
jackets and drinking something from a paper bag and smoking cigarettes at some
paper bag and smoking cigarettes at some
paper bag and smoking cigarettes at some point they approached us and one of them
point they approached us and one of them
point they approached us and one of them asked me hey where are you from the
asked me hey where are you from the
asked me hey where are you from the other kid laughed and said probably one
other kid laughed and said probably one
other kid laughed and said probably one of those asshole Iranians
of those asshole Iranians
of those asshole Iranians yeah his friend said come on sand nigger
yeah his friend said come on sand nigger
yeah his friend said come on sand nigger were you from
were you from
were you from I remember being dizzy from the
I remember being dizzy from the
I remember being dizzy from the playground from spinning round and
playground from spinning round and
playground from spinning round and around
around
around I remember having no idea what an
I remember having no idea what an
I remember having no idea what an Iranian is I remember looking up that
Iranian is I remember looking up that
Iranian is I remember looking up that these boys were probably not much older
these boys were probably not much older
these boys were probably not much older than me probably 13 years old but they
than me probably 13 years old but they
than me probably 13 years old but they seemed like really big scary guys it was
seemed like really big scary guys it was
seemed like really big scary guys it was the first time I’d been asked this
the first time I’d been asked this
the first time I’d been asked this question where are you from never
question where are you from never
question where are you from never thought about that before where am i
thought about that before where am i
thought about that before where am i from being from somewhere had never
from being from somewhere had never
from being from somewhere had never occurred to me as being something that
occurred to me as being something that
occurred to me as being something that mattered I don’t know
mattered I don’t know
mattered I don’t know from here I said
from here I said
from here I said no you’re not one of them pushed me and
no you’re not one of them pushed me and
no you’re not one of them pushed me and I fell against D not knowing what it
I fell against D not knowing what it
I fell against D not knowing what it could be that they wanted to hear and
could be that they wanted to hear and
could be that they wanted to hear and getting more frightened I said I’m from
getting more frightened I said I’m from
getting more frightened I said I’m from Boston you know like you they started
Boston you know like you they started
Boston you know like you they started laughing walked away a few minutes later
laughing walked away a few minutes later
laughing walked away a few minutes later I suddenly felt something fly right by
I suddenly felt something fly right by
I suddenly felt something fly right by my head the older boys had walked up a
my head the older boys had walked up a
my head the older boys had walked up a small hill and we’re throwing rocks at
small hill and we’re throwing rocks at
small hill and we’re throwing rocks at me and II there was a slide nearby the
me and II there was a slide nearby the
me and II there was a slide nearby the cover of the slide was the shape of a
cover of the slide was the shape of a
cover of the slide was the shape of a mushroom so Dee and I ran into it very
mushroom so Dee and I ran into it very
mushroom so Dee and I ran into it very confused very scared I’ll never forget
confused very scared I’ll never forget
confused very scared I’ll never forget the sound of those rocks clanging
the sound of those rocks clanging
the sound of those rocks clanging against that metal one rock after
against that metal one rock after
against that metal one rock after another making this terrible sound and
another making this terrible sound and
another making this terrible sound and ringing in our ears and dni my friend
ringing in our ears and dni my friend
ringing in our ears and dni my friend and I’m being scared and shaking but
and I’m being scared and shaking but
and I’m being scared and shaking but somehow in our own innocent way being
somehow in our own innocent way being
somehow in our own innocent way being protective of each other I’ll never
protective of each other I’ll never
protective of each other I’ll never forget the sound of those boys cackling
forget the sound of those boys cackling
forget the sound of those boys cackling and yelling why don’t you and your gook
and yelling why don’t you and your gook
and yelling why don’t you and your gook friend go back to where you came from
friend go back to where you came from
friend go back to where you came from losers probably didn’t last more than
losers probably didn’t last more than
losers probably didn’t last more than five minutes but it felt like forever
five minutes but it felt like forever
five minutes but it felt like forever when it was over I know as Dee was
when it was over I know as Dee was
when it was over I know as Dee was crying a little and so was I they’re
crying a little and so was I they’re
crying a little and so was I they’re stupid
stupid
stupid he said yeah I said we went home and
he said yeah I said we went home and
he said yeah I said we went home and never talked about what happened that
never talked about what happened that
never talked about what happened that day and that day was the first time I
day and that day was the first time I
day and that day was the first time I was told by my mom and dad that I’m
was told by my mom and dad that I’m
was told by my mom and dad that I’m something called an Armenian even though
something called an Armenian even though
something called an Armenian even though I was born in America it’s not that I
I was born in America it’s not that I
I was born in America it’s not that I didn’t know we were Armenian exactly I
didn’t know we were Armenian exactly I
didn’t know we were Armenian exactly I knew that but it never occurred to me
knew that but it never occurred to me
knew that but it never occurred to me that that should matter one way or
that that should matter one way or
that that should matter one way or another that was the first time I was
another that was the first time I was
another that was the first time I was told that there are different types of
told that there are different types of
told that there are different types of people in the world and that some of
people in the world and that some of
people in the world and that some of those people hate each other
those people hate each other
those people hate each other I remember being filled with confusion
I remember being filled with confusion
I remember being filled with confusion and fear and this very strange raging
and fear and this very strange raging
and fear and this very strange raging sense of injustice but I couldn’t
sense of injustice but I couldn’t
sense of injustice but I couldn’t articulate it or understand it at the
articulate it or understand it at the
articulate it or understand it at the time but that hot August day in Virginia
time but that hot August day in Virginia
time but that hot August day in Virginia that was the day I swore to myself that
that was the day I swore to myself that
that was the day I swore to myself that what I am before
what I am before
what I am before anything else is a human being period so
anything else is a human being period so
anything else is a human being period so what I want to tell you today about
what I want to tell you today about
what I want to tell you today about corruption comes from that simple facts
corruption comes from that simple facts
corruption comes from that simple facts that I am a human being flawed and
that I am a human being flawed and
that I am a human being flawed and perfect just like all of you I’m
perfect just like all of you I’m
perfect just like all of you I’m fatigued and frustrated by a society
fatigued and frustrated by a society
fatigued and frustrated by a society that’s allowed itself to slip into a
that’s allowed itself to slip into a
that’s allowed itself to slip into a coma of confusion and hyper
coma of confusion and hyper
coma of confusion and hyper individualism consumerism nationalist
individualism consumerism nationalist
individualism consumerism nationalist rhetoric corporatism a coma induced by a
rhetoric corporatism a coma induced by a
rhetoric corporatism a coma induced by a lack of true ideological vision
lack of true ideological vision
lack of true ideological vision complexity inclusivity compassion and
complexity inclusivity compassion and
complexity inclusivity compassion and imagination now perhaps some of you are
imagination now perhaps some of you are
imagination now perhaps some of you are going to disagree with the things I say
going to disagree with the things I say
going to disagree with the things I say or that I’m about to say so let’s start
or that I’m about to say so let’s start
or that I’m about to say so let’s start by agreeing on something there are many
by agreeing on something there are many
by agreeing on something there are many good things happening in Armenia there
good things happening in Armenia there
good things happening in Armenia there are productive good people doing
are productive good people doing
are productive good people doing productive good things here so let me
productive good things here so let me
productive good things here so let me say that again there are many good
say that again there are many good
say that again there are many good things happening in Armenia are there
things happening in Armenia are there
things happening in Armenia are there people saying if they’re only bad things
people saying if they’re only bad things
people saying if they’re only bad things happening in Armenia well maybe but not
happening in Armenia well maybe but not
happening in Armenia well maybe but not on any serious level and if there are
on any serious level and if there are
on any serious level and if there are they’re fools but what I want to argue
they’re fools but what I want to argue
they’re fools but what I want to argue here is that anyone who uses that to
here is that anyone who uses that to
here is that anyone who uses that to believe the rest of us with the tyranny
believe the rest of us with the tyranny
believe the rest of us with the tyranny of positivity is a more dangerous for an
of positivity is a more dangerous for an
of positivity is a more dangerous for an obsessive focus on positivity is one of
obsessive focus on positivity is one of
obsessive focus on positivity is one of the biggest signs of disconnection and
the biggest signs of disconnection and
the biggest signs of disconnection and lack of depth the tyranny of positivity
lack of depth the tyranny of positivity
lack of depth the tyranny of positivity is the oppression of spiritual and
is the oppression of spiritual and
is the oppression of spiritual and intellectual honesty and complexity so
intellectual honesty and complexity so
intellectual honesty and complexity so to be only critical about Armenia or
to be only critical about Armenia or
to be only critical about Armenia or only positive about Armenia is just a
only positive about Armenia is just a
only positive about Armenia is just a way of seeing what you want to see and
way of seeing what you want to see and
way of seeing what you want to see and believing what you want to believe at
believing what you want to believe at
believing what you want to believe at the same time I’m not making a false
the same time I’m not making a false
the same time I’m not making a false equivalency here like so many of us do
equivalency here like so many of us do
equivalency here like so many of us do these days oh come on there’s corruption
these days oh come on there’s corruption
these days oh come on there’s corruption everywhere what’s the problem just look
everywhere what’s the problem just look
everywhere what’s the problem just look at Trump look at Putin look at err dote
at Trump look at Putin look at err dote
at Trump look at Putin look at err dote on their problems in any country don’t
on their problems in any country don’t
on their problems in any country don’t be so negative such statements are empty
be so negative such statements are empty
be so negative such statements are empty words they only deflect from the matter
words they only deflect from the matter
words they only deflect from the matter at hand we are in Armenia we’re talking
at hand we are in Armenia we’re talking
at hand we are in Armenia we’re talking about Armenia Armenia specific context
about Armenia Armenia specific context
about Armenia Armenia specific context realities deeps
realities deeps
realities deeps sheeted issues I kind of don’t give a
sheeted issues I kind of don’t give a
sheeted issues I kind of don’t give a crap what it’s like in the United States
crap what it’s like in the United States
crap what it’s like in the United States or Israel or Italy or China we’re here
or Israel or Italy or China we’re here
or Israel or Italy or China we’re here and the realities in other countries
and the realities in other countries
and the realities in other countries don’t lessen the truths the urgency the
don’t lessen the truths the urgency the
don’t lessen the truths the urgency the depths of the many kinds of problems
depths of the many kinds of problems
depths of the many kinds of problems right here right now this reality so
right here right now this reality so
right here right now this reality so even though it’s unproductive to be only
even though it’s unproductive to be only
even though it’s unproductive to be only critical or only positive if we take a
critical or only positive if we take a
critical or only positive if we take a breath and think about history which we
breath and think about history which we
breath and think about history which we so often forget we ignore it or we only
so often forget we ignore it or we only
so often forget we ignore it or we only remember it when it serves our purposes
remember it when it serves our purposes
remember it when it serves our purposes being so called critical is actually
being so called critical is actually
being so called critical is actually always closer to truth being critical is
always closer to truth being critical is
always closer to truth being critical is usually closer to the side of justice so
usually closer to the side of justice so
usually closer to the side of justice so for example in the 1950s should black
for example in the 1950s should black
for example in the 1950s should black people in America have just been patient
people in America have just been patient
people in America have just been patient and grateful should they have just not
and grateful should they have just not
and grateful should they have just not complained so much maybe a Martin Luther
complained so much maybe a Martin Luther
complained so much maybe a Martin Luther King jr. and Malcolm X should just stop
King jr. and Malcolm X should just stop
King jr. and Malcolm X should just stop causing so much trouble maybe women in
causing so much trouble maybe women in
causing so much trouble maybe women in the early 20th century should have just
the early 20th century should have just
the early 20th century should have just known their place and been more positive
known their place and been more positive
known their place and been more positive instead of protesting and demanding the
instead of protesting and demanding the
instead of protesting and demanding the right to vote and then there’s the
right to vote and then there’s the
right to vote and then there’s the Ottoman and the Armenians in the Ottoman
Ottoman and the Armenians in the Ottoman
Ottoman and the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire before 1915 maybe they should
Empire before 1915 maybe they should
Empire before 1915 maybe they should have counted their blessings and minded
have counted their blessings and minded
have counted their blessings and minded their own business instead of wanting
their own business instead of wanting
their own business instead of wanting more dignity and self-determination I
more dignity and self-determination I
more dignity and self-determination I don’t know maybe the genocide could have
don’t know maybe the genocide could have
don’t know maybe the genocide could have been avoided with more positivity and
been avoided with more positivity and
been avoided with more positivity and innovation it sounds absurd right so how
innovation it sounds absurd right so how
innovation it sounds absurd right so how is it any different for the vast
is it any different for the vast
is it any different for the vast majority of Armenians in Armenia but for
majority of Armenians in Armenia but for
majority of Armenians in Armenia but for 26 years have been left behind voiceless
26 years have been left behind voiceless
26 years have been left behind voiceless against the plundering and disregard for
against the plundering and disregard for
against the plundering and disregard for ethics they see around them whose
ethics they see around them whose
ethics they see around them whose children keep dying in a war with no end
children keep dying in a war with no end
children keep dying in a war with no end who keep emigrating in large numbers and
who keep emigrating in large numbers and
who keep emigrating in large numbers and her being forced to accept a version of
her being forced to accept a version of
her being forced to accept a version of capitalism that’s been broken and
capitalism that’s been broken and
capitalism that’s been broken and wreaking spiritual and mental havoc in
wreaking spiritual and mental havoc in
wreaking spiritual and mental havoc in the US and other countries for decades
the US and other countries for decades
the US and other countries for decades the kind of corruption I’d like us to
the kind of corruption I’d like us to
the kind of corruption I’d like us to think about is the kind that wears
think about is the kind that wears
think about is the kind that wears people down on a micro level the
people down on a micro level the
people down on a micro level the microaggressions in our everyday
microaggressions in our everyday
microaggressions in our everyday interactions
interactions
interactions that dream people psychologically
that dream people psychologically
that dream people psychologically emotionally spiritually and so all they
emotionally spiritually and so all they
emotionally spiritually and so all they have are complaints and cynicism which
have are complaints and cynicism which
have are complaints and cynicism which then they’re blamed for having the
then they’re blamed for having the
then they’re blamed for having the corruption that we tend to focus on at
corruption that we tend to focus on at
corruption that we tend to focus on at the business state and institutional
the business state and institutional
the business state and institutional level comes from the deeper everyday
level comes from the deeper everyday
level comes from the deeper everyday corruption within each worker each
corruption within each worker each
corruption within each worker each student and each parent it comes from
student and each parent it comes from
student and each parent it comes from inside you and me it’s a psychic and
inside you and me it’s a psychic and
inside you and me it’s a psychic and spiritual corruption and it doesn’t
spiritual corruption and it doesn’t
spiritual corruption and it doesn’t matter whether it’s intentional or not
matter whether it’s intentional or not
matter whether it’s intentional or not the corruption at the top is just the
the corruption at the top is just the
the corruption at the top is just the institutionalized version of the more
institutionalized version of the more
institutionalized version of the more private cultural micro forms of
private cultural micro forms of
private cultural micro forms of corruption within each of us so I’d like
corruption within each of us so I’d like
corruption within each of us so I’d like to just point out here that of course
to just point out here that of course
to just point out here that of course I’m giving this talk in English
I’m giving this talk in English
I’m giving this talk in English obviously and I’m not from Armenia
obviously and I’m not from Armenia
obviously and I’m not from Armenia although I’ve been living here since
although I’ve been living here since
although I’ve been living here since 2014 I’m not a Repat I’m an expat and
2014 I’m not a Repat I’m an expat and
2014 I’m not a Repat I’m an expat and how we use words and ideas is one of the
how we use words and ideas is one of the
how we use words and ideas is one of the most important and telling things about
most important and telling things about
most important and telling things about the health of a society part of the
the health of a society part of the
the health of a society part of the corruption of critical discourse that
corruption of critical discourse that
corruption of critical discourse that we’re facing today has to do with the
we’re facing today has to do with the
we’re facing today has to do with the simplistic problematic misinformed ways
simplistic problematic misinformed ways
simplistic problematic misinformed ways that diaspora and Armenians view local
that diaspora and Armenians view local
that diaspora and Armenians view local Armenians and how local Armenians you
Armenians and how local Armenians you
Armenians and how local Armenians you diaspora and Armenians and now both
diaspora and Armenians and now both
diaspora and Armenians and now both sides think about what it is to be
sides think about what it is to be
sides think about what it is to be Armenian and what Armenia should or
Armenian and what Armenia should or
Armenian and what Armenia should or shouldn’t be both sides are to blame for
shouldn’t be both sides are to blame for
shouldn’t be both sides are to blame for taking each other for granted ignoring
taking each other for granted ignoring
taking each other for granted ignoring complexity not being completely honest
complexity not being completely honest
complexity not being completely honest in their motives and interests and too
in their motives and interests and too
in their motives and interests and too often being condescending to each other
often being condescending to each other
often being condescending to each other such rigid and misinformed using little
such rigid and misinformed using little
such rigid and misinformed using little room there’s no room there for
room there’s no room there for
room there’s no room there for self-reflection self-questioning
self-reflection self-questioning
self-reflection self-questioning inclusivity genuine growth progress we
inclusivity genuine growth progress we
inclusivity genuine growth progress we can’t just point at corruption like it’s
can’t just point at corruption like it’s
can’t just point at corruption like it’s some alien thing out there outside of us
some alien thing out there outside of us
some alien thing out there outside of us having nothing to do with us so diaspora
having nothing to do with us so diaspora
having nothing to do with us so diaspora and Armenians must have more rigorous
and Armenians must have more rigorous
and Armenians must have more rigorous rigorous fresh and messy conversations
rigorous fresh and messy conversations
rigorous fresh and messy conversations among themselves and so must Armenians
among themselves and so must Armenians
among themselves and so must Armenians native to the Republic we all in the
native to the Republic we all in the
native to the Republic we all in the Diaspora in Armenia have to talk
Diaspora in Armenia have to talk
Diaspora in Armenia have to talk honestly about what we’ve been doing or
honestly about what we’ve been doing or
honestly about what we’ve been doing or not doing for 26 years and about what
not doing for 26 years and about what
not doing for 26 years and about what our vision is other than some shallow
our vision is other than some shallow
our vision is other than some shallow early 20th century version of patriotism
early 20th century version of patriotism
early 20th century version of patriotism what do we actually want for Armenian
what do we actually want for Armenian
what do we actually want for Armenian society and the Diaspora startups wine
society and the Diaspora startups wine
society and the Diaspora startups wine bars tourism NGOs those things alone are
bars tourism NGOs those things alone are
bars tourism NGOs those things alone are not enough
not enough
not enough at our core you and I what exactly do we
at our core you and I what exactly do we
at our core you and I what exactly do we believe in what is it that we believe in
believe in what is it that we believe in
believe in what is it that we believe in not as Armenians but as human beings a
not as Armenians but as human beings a
not as Armenians but as human beings a monolithic uniform view about a country
monolithic uniform view about a country
monolithic uniform view about a country is the fastest way to suffocate the true
is the fastest way to suffocate the true
is the fastest way to suffocate the true potential of that country which is its
potential of that country which is its
potential of that country which is its youth so I’ve been teaching at the
youth so I’ve been teaching at the
youth so I’ve been teaching at the American you receive Armenia since 2014
American you receive Armenia since 2014
American you receive Armenia since 2014 it’s the reason I moved here I’d never
it’s the reason I moved here I’d never
it’s the reason I moved here I’d never visited here before until I moved and
visited here before until I moved and
visited here before until I moved and every semester or pretty much every
every semester or pretty much every
every semester or pretty much every semester there’s a knock on my office
semester there’s a knock on my office
semester there’s a knock on my office door and it’s a students usually from a
door and it’s a students usually from a
door and it’s a students usually from a different department usually a male
different department usually a male
different department usually a male student and they want to speak to me
student and they want to speak to me
student and they want to speak to me privately they come to me very kind of
privately they come to me very kind of
privately they come to me very kind of formally like we’re about to do business
formally like we’re about to do business
formally like we’re about to do business or something and then they asked if they
or something and then they asked if they
or something and then they asked if they they can talk to me privately and on the
they can talk to me privately and on the
they can talk to me privately and on the surface they let these average guys kind
surface they let these average guys kind
surface they let these average guys kind of tough guys they have the you know
of tough guys they have the you know
of tough guys they have the you know kind of black jackets and the haircuts
kind of black jackets and the haircuts
kind of black jackets and the haircuts and all that stuff and they’re usually
and all that stuff and they’re usually
and all that stuff and they’re usually they study business or computer science
they study business or computer science
they study business or computer science or something like that and I’m not
or something like that and I’m not
or something like that and I’m not knocking those disciplines I want to be
knocking those disciplines I want to be
knocking those disciplines I want to be really clear here there’s nothing wrong
really clear here there’s nothing wrong
really clear here there’s nothing wrong with studying business and computer
with studying business and computer
with studying business and computer science but too many young people and
science but too many young people and
science but too many young people and especially men go into more vocational
especially men go into more vocational
especially men go into more vocational fields because they come from a system
fields because they come from a system
fields because they come from a system that too often makes them think that the
that too often makes them think that the
that too often makes them think that the only thing worth doing is transactional
only thing worth doing is transactional
only thing worth doing is transactional that makes money a system that no longer
that makes money a system that no longer
that makes money a system that no longer values or invests in serious cultural
values or invests in serious cultural
values or invests in serious cultural production unless there’s a profit now
production unless there’s a profit now
production unless there’s a profit now of course people need jobs I don’t know
of course people need jobs I don’t know
of course people need jobs I don’t know there anyone arguing and you were in the
there anyone arguing and you were in the
there anyone arguing and you were in the world that people don’t need jobs I
world that people don’t need jobs I
world that people don’t need jobs I don’t think so but the vibrancy the
don’t think so but the vibrancy the
don’t think so but the vibrancy the health the exuberance of a nation and
health the exuberance of a nation and
health the exuberance of a nation and the future of a nation doesn’t come from
the future of a nation doesn’t come from
the future of a nation doesn’t come from jobs it comes from culture
jobs it comes from culture
jobs it comes from culture that’s where it comes from the reason
that’s where it comes from the reason
that’s where it comes from the reason you’re all proud to be Armenian is
you’re all proud to be Armenian is
you’re all proud to be Armenian is because of the Armenian culture and I
because of the Armenian culture and I
because of the Armenian culture and I think we’ve lost sight of that so every
think we’ve lost sight of that so every
think we’ve lost sight of that so every semester some of these tough guys
semester some of these tough guys
semester some of these tough guys students come to my office and they
students come to my office and they
students come to my office and they awkwardly say so I heard about the
awkwardly say so I heard about the
awkwardly say so I heard about the Creative Writing course you know
Creative Writing course you know
Creative Writing course you know sometimes I write too oh yeah I say what
sometimes I write too oh yeah I say what
sometimes I write too oh yeah I say what are you write they become really shy
are you write they become really shy
are you write they become really shy they pull their chair a little closer to
they pull their chair a little closer to
they pull their chair a little closer to me and as if like in a whisper like it’s
me and as if like in a whisper like it’s
me and as if like in a whisper like it’s taboo they say well I write I write
taboo they say well I write I write
taboo they say well I write I write poems I write science fiction I write
poems I write science fiction I write
poems I write science fiction I write plays I write short stories or I don’t
plays I write short stories or I don’t
plays I write short stories or I don’t know I just like to write it happens
know I just like to write it happens
know I just like to write it happens every semester like a wonderful ritual
every semester like a wonderful ritual
every semester like a wonderful ritual and it humbles me it moves me it reminds
and it humbles me it moves me it reminds
and it humbles me it moves me it reminds me not to judge others so harshly more
me not to judge others so harshly more
me not to judge others so harshly more importantly it reminds me that young
importantly it reminds me that young
importantly it reminds me that young people many young people they can always
people many young people they can always
people many young people they can always see right through a government’s
see right through a government’s
see right through a government’s bullshit a society’s bullshit and their
bullshit a society’s bullshit and their
bullshit a society’s bullshit and their parents bullshit there are young people
parents bullshit there are young people
parents bullshit there are young people all there right here today there are
all there right here today there are
all there right here today there are young people all around us who
young people all around us who
young people all around us who intuitively know that what binds of
intuitively know that what binds of
intuitively know that what binds of people to a nation ultimately is
people to a nation ultimately is
people to a nation ultimately is something much deeper and more
something much deeper and more
something much deeper and more intangible than jobs and money and
intangible than jobs and money and
intangible than jobs and money and status they can get those things in
status they can get those things in
status they can get those things in other countries too but the power of art
other countries too but the power of art
other countries too but the power of art the imagination creativity critical
the imagination creativity critical
the imagination creativity critical thinking and language now that’s
thinking and language now that’s
thinking and language now that’s something that can turn someone from a
something that can turn someone from a
something that can turn someone from a passive citizen into an individual armed
passive citizen into an individual armed
passive citizen into an individual armed with the self-knowledge and depth to
with the self-knowledge and depth to
with the self-knowledge and depth to reinvent him or herself and each time
reinvent him or herself and each time
reinvent him or herself and each time you reinvent yourself truly discover
you reinvent yourself truly discover
you reinvent yourself truly discover yourself and question yourself in your
yourself and question yourself in your
yourself and question yourself in your surroundings that’s when you take part
surroundings that’s when you take part
surroundings that’s when you take part in the reinvention and reinvigoration of
in the reinvention and reinvigoration of
in the reinvention and reinvigoration of a nation and that’s when you crush
a nation and that’s when you crush
a nation and that’s when you crush corruption so if there isn’t an honest
corruption so if there isn’t an honest
corruption so if there isn’t an honest effort on a national and personal level
effort on a national and personal level
effort on a national and personal level at self-reflection
at self-reflection
at self-reflection then what does Armenia are mean is just
then what does Armenia are mean is just
then what does Armenia are mean is just a place where people engage in various
a place where people engage in various
a place where people engage in various transactions to survive or get rich
transactions to survive or get rich
transactions to survive or get rich while waiting and planning for their
while waiting and planning for their
while waiting and planning for their chance
chance
chance to leave or it’s a place for diasporas
to leave or it’s a place for diasporas
to leave or it’s a place for diasporas to live up some fantasy about a
to live up some fantasy about a
to live up some fantasy about a romanticized homeland or worse it’s a
romanticized homeland or worse it’s a
romanticized homeland or worse it’s a place for opportunists this is the
place for opportunists this is the
place for opportunists this is the Republic of Armenia it’s not the
Republic of Armenia it’s not the
Republic of Armenia it’s not the corporation or mall or startup or
corporation or mall or startup or
corporation or mall or startup or fantasy of Armenia let’s remember that a
fantasy of Armenia let’s remember that a
fantasy of Armenia let’s remember that a republic is a state in which supreme
republic is a state in which supreme
republic is a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their
power is held by the people and their
power is held by the people and their elected representatives in other words
elected representatives in other words
elected representatives in other words you are the Republic you are the
you are the Republic you are the
you are the Republic you are the Republic perhaps many people have
Republic perhaps many people have
Republic perhaps many people have forgotten that or maybe people are just
forgotten that or maybe people are just
forgotten that or maybe people are just really tired and they’ve started to give
really tired and they’ve started to give
really tired and they’ve started to give up on that idea so the first step is to
up on that idea so the first step is to
up on that idea so the first step is to reclaim who you are the citizens of a
reclaim who you are the citizens of a
reclaim who you are the citizens of a republic are the Republic and must hold
republic are the Republic and must hold
republic are the Republic and must hold themselves accountable first before
themselves accountable first before
themselves accountable first before blaming others now that being said
blaming others now that being said
blaming others now that being said neither I nor anyone else should claim
neither I nor anyone else should claim
neither I nor anyone else should claim to understand or to truly understand the
to understand or to truly understand the
to understand or to truly understand the daily indignities struggles problems
daily indignities struggles problems
daily indignities struggles problems that people throughout Armenia or any
that people throughout Armenia or any
that people throughout Armenia or any struggling country go through that they
struggling country go through that they
struggling country go through that they deal with on a day-to-day basis no one
deal with on a day-to-day basis no one
deal with on a day-to-day basis no one has a right to tell poor Armenians
has a right to tell poor Armenians
has a right to tell poor Armenians unemployed Armenians disenfranchised
unemployed Armenians disenfranchised
unemployed Armenians disenfranchised Armenians young Armenians to look on the
Armenians young Armenians to look on the
Armenians young Armenians to look on the bright side be a more patient be
bright side be a more patient be
bright side be a more patient be positive stop complaining you and I
positive stop complaining you and I
positive stop complaining you and I complain or get annoyed if we don’t have
complain or get annoyed if we don’t have
complain or get annoyed if we don’t have internet for a few hours if someone cuts
internet for a few hours if someone cuts
internet for a few hours if someone cuts in front of us at the supermarket if the
in front of us at the supermarket if the
in front of us at the supermarket if the taxi smells like cigarettes if the pub
taxi smells like cigarettes if the pub
taxi smells like cigarettes if the pub smells like cigarettes if they screw up
smells like cigarettes if they screw up
smells like cigarettes if they screw up our order at a nice restaurant or if we
our order at a nice restaurant or if we
our order at a nice restaurant or if we lose our iPhones corruption and
lose our iPhones corruption and
lose our iPhones corruption and government institutions education and
government institutions education and
government institutions education and business starts and ends with the
business starts and ends with the
business starts and ends with the corruption inside our own hearts if we
corruption inside our own hearts if we
corruption inside our own hearts if we want to truly change a nation we have to
want to truly change a nation we have to
want to truly change a nation we have to begin by changing ourselves and not in a
begin by changing ourselves and not in a
begin by changing ourselves and not in a superficial let’s all be positive way
superficial let’s all be positive way
superficial let’s all be positive way but by being honest with ourselves with
but by being honest with ourselves with
but by being honest with ourselves with who we are about our own hypocrisy and
who we are about our own hypocrisy and
who we are about our own hypocrisy and flaws and questioning our motives and
flaws and questioning our motives and
flaws and questioning our motives and beliefs but how are we supposed to do
beliefs but how are we supposed to do
beliefs but how are we supposed to do that what are we supposed to do one way
that what are we supposed to do one way
that what are we supposed to do one way is by genuinely embracing four concepts
is by genuinely embracing four concepts
is by genuinely embracing four concepts radical respect radical compassion
radical respect radical compassion
radical respect radical compassion radical accountability and radical love
radical accountability and radical love
radical accountability and radical love I don’t mean this in some new-age
I don’t mean this in some new-age
I don’t mean this in some new-age touchy-feely sort of way this isn’t an
touchy-feely sort of way this isn’t an
touchy-feely sort of way this isn’t an exercise in us feeling better about
exercise in us feeling better about
exercise in us feeling better about ourselves
ourselves
ourselves it’s about digging deep into ourselves
it’s about digging deep into ourselves
it’s about digging deep into ourselves reflecting on who we are as individuals
reflecting on who we are as individuals
reflecting on who we are as individuals it’s about having messy discussions and
it’s about having messy discussions and
it’s about having messy discussions and being kind decent human beings before
being kind decent human beings before
being kind decent human beings before being anything else just being a human
being anything else just being a human
being anything else just being a human being accountable to yourself and to
being accountable to yourself and to
being accountable to yourself and to others compassionate to yourself and to
others compassionate to yourself and to
others compassionate to yourself and to others loving to yourself and to others
others loving to yourself and to others
others loving to yourself and to others do you remember that can you remember
do you remember that can you remember
do you remember that can you remember what it’s like to just be a human being
what it’s like to just be a human being
what it’s like to just be a human being remember look there used to be a time
remember look there used to be a time
remember look there used to be a time when we were just human beings but there
when we were just human beings but there
when we were just human beings but there are forces in Armenia in the world they
are forces in Armenia in the world they
are forces in Armenia in the world they count on us forgetting our humanity but
count on us forgetting our humanity but
count on us forgetting our humanity but the mystery and the beauty and the power
the mystery and the beauty and the power
the mystery and the beauty and the power of our humaneness is that it always
of our humaneness is that it always
of our humaneness is that it always finds a way to shake us awake just one
finds a way to shake us awake just one
finds a way to shake us awake just one of the days she was darkest so I don’t
of the days she was darkest so I don’t
of the days she was darkest so I don’t claim to have any answers but I believe
claim to have any answers but I believe
claim to have any answers but I believe that the path to a better society is
that the path to a better society is
that the path to a better society is through tough questions not easy answers
through tough questions not easy answers
through tough questions not easy answers and I believe the end of corruption in
and I believe the end of corruption in
and I believe the end of corruption in Armenia doesn’t begin with die aspirins
Armenia doesn’t begin with die aspirins
Armenia doesn’t begin with die aspirins or Outsiders or anything like that it
or Outsiders or anything like that it
or Outsiders or anything like that it begins with you it begins with Armenian
begins with you it begins with Armenian
begins with you it begins with Armenian citizens listening to each other
citizens listening to each other
citizens listening to each other listening to young people and poor
listening to young people and poor
listening to young people and poor people listening to those who feel
people listening to those who feel
people listening to those who feel ignored and alienated listening to the
ignored and alienated listening to the
ignored and alienated listening to the yearning and complexity complexity
yearning and complexity complexity
yearning and complexity complexity inside your own hearts if we can
inside your own hearts if we can
inside your own hearts if we can remember and we become thoughtful
remember and we become thoughtful
remember and we become thoughtful ethical compassionate human beings I
ethical compassionate human beings I
ethical compassionate human beings I think we’ll be surprised at how quickly
think we’ll be surprised at how quickly
think we’ll be surprised at how quickly corruption will start to crumble maybe
corruption will start to crumble maybe
corruption will start to crumble maybe we can start right here right now let’s
we can start right here right now let’s
we can start right here right now let’s be kind to each other respect each other
be kind to each other respect each other
be kind to each other respect each other have empathy for each other not because
have empathy for each other not because
have empathy for each other not because we’re Armenians not because of someone’s
we’re Armenians not because of someone’s
we’re Armenians not because of someone’s status or wealth not because you want
status or wealth not because you want
status or wealth not because you want something but because you are something
something but because you are something
something but because you are something you’re a decent caring human being like
you’re a decent caring human being like
you’re a decent caring human being like those two little kids who protected each
those two little kids who protected each
those two little kids who protected each other one summer day in Virginia because
other one summer day in Virginia because
other one summer day in Virginia because they didn’t care about where they were
they didn’t care about where they were
they didn’t care about where they were from we’re all human beings and deep
from we’re all human beings and deep
from we’re all human beings and deep down in our hearts we all know a secret
down in our hearts we all know a secret
down in our hearts we all know a secret corruption is for losers
corruption is for losers
corruption is for losers [Applause]
”
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