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THE THREE C'S TO HYE TAHD SUCCESS: CAUSE, COURAGE, CAPITAL
asbarez
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
On May 4 the Armenian National Committee of America Burbank chapter
hosted its annual banquet, during which ANCA Communications Director
Elizabeth Chouldjian delivered the keynote address. Below is the text
of her presentation:
Folks have asked me over the years, what it is that I find most
gratifying about working with the ANCA.
My answer has always been - our community.
Where else would a person have the opportunity to work with such a
diverse group of activists - from major U.S. cities and small town
America, some here for generations, others calling the U.S. home just
for a few years, folks who have spent a lifetime toward the betterment
of our community, and others who are just starting their service -
gathered together either physically in halls and community centers
like this one or linking up virtually through Facebook and Twitter -
Republicans, Democrats, Greens and Libertarians - all working together
with one singular aim - the strengthening of the Armenian nation.
It's joining you on evenings like this and spending time with ANC
leaders like Zareh Sinanian - whose service to this organization began
here in Burbank and now extends to our regional and national programs.
It's speaking with Sarkis Nikogosian, who has worked quietly and
tirelessly to assist the good people of Artsakh - but when I wanted
to print his specific donations and actions as part of an article in
Asbarez - he responded humbly, "keedek, ayt desagee paneroo maseen
harmar che khosel." It's young Talar Kossakian and the Burbank AYF
Varak chapter members, who, through their community activism and youth
leadership, give us all confidence that the future of our nation will
be in good hands. Add to that local leaders like City Clerk Campos,
who has spared no effort to expand Armenian American participation in
Burbank civic life. Congressman Schiff - who takes the lead in ending
the U.S. government's shameful complicity in Turkey's Genocide denial
- works tirelessly to ensure much needed assistance to Armenia and
Artsakh - and continues his efforts for the well being of his local
community and constituents.
It's having the opportunity to meet with each and everyone throughout
the course of this evening who together serve as the integral
foundation for the success of our local civic efforts.
In Washington, DC there is no shortage of interests - some righteous
and some downright reprehensible, using every means imaginable - legal
and illegal - all trying to secure victory for their side. But when
you look at the reasons of the Armenian American community's success,
it comes down to the three C's.
You have to have a just Cause - one that transcends party politics
or parochial concerns. A Cause that has been handed down generation
to generation for more than 3,000 years - a Cause of justice that
seeks to guarantee the fundamental rights of the Armenian nation. A
democratic and economically viable Armenia, a free and independent
Artsakh, a strong Javakhk, justice for the Armenian Genocide.
And you have to have the Courage to fight for that Cause. To fight -
day in and day out - against mighty interests who the odds makers
would have bet should have crushed us politically, militarily or
financially decades ago. Countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan -
who spend collectively close to $4 million a year in anti-Armenian
lobbying (according to the U.S. Justice Department records); 10 - 50
times that when taking into account alliances with multinanational
corporate interests - co-opted and coerced to promote agendas of
genocide denial and efforts to quash the right to self-determination
of a freedom loving people. And as if that is not enough, we need to
stand up to forces in our own government - the U.S. government - who
dishonor the founding principles of our nation - of life, liberty -
for the sake of perceived short term political gain.
And you need Capital. Human Capital - activists and advocates like
yourselves who look at the challenges facing the future of our nation
and say - as our Homenetmen Scouts said this evening - Meeshd Badrasd
(Always Prepared). A community prepared to be the sword and shield of
Armenian values in the political battlefield, just as our ancestors
did in Avarayr, in Sardarabad and our brothers and sisters did in
Karabakh when our nation needed them most.
Washington DC is a city of embassies and ambassadors - representing
countries large and small. Here in the U.S., the Armenian nation has
1.5 million Ambassadors - each of us with an opportunity in the world
of business, politics, even pop-culture, entertainment and sports -
to advance the Armenian Cause.
And to educate, motivate and activate this second army of the Armenian
nation - you need the other kind of Capital - financial Capital. To
invest in programs like the Capital Gateway Program - bringing the
best and brightest to Washington, DC to become the future leaders of
this country. To continue internship programs like the Leo Sarkisian
Internship, and our internships in the Western United States and
Glendale and to expand to Burbank and every other community, to prepare
the new generation of Hai Tahd activists. To set up programs like the
Hyevotes initiative - not just in California and Massachusetts and
New York and New Jersey where our traditional communities lie - but in
Florida, and Ohio and other swing states that are going to decide who
the next President of the United States will be. To encourage broader
Armenian American participation in ALL political parties - as elected
officials and community advocates - so that our voice is heard from the
city council to the White House, so that politicians intent on double
crossing our community, of renegging on campaign promises, of saying
one thing and doing another - face the consequences they deserve.
To invest in programs that would expand our reach in media and ensure
our nation, our values, our history is represented properly. To battle
anti-Armenian defamation and racism - locally or nationally. To ensure
that the Hai Tahd message doesn't just go out to 30,000 ANCA facebook
friends or 100,000 folks on our email list - but 300,000 or 3 million
world wide.
That is what your support for the ANCA Burbank and the ANCA Endowment
Fund does, ladies and gentlemen. That is what your support for 2006
and 2009 Telethons has contributed to the Armenian Cause. And that
is why your support for the May 20th Telethon is so vital to our
collective efforts.
Let me wrap up with one final thought.
I talked about the 3 C's of our community's success. There is a fourth
'C', that I only mention to the closest of our supporters. The ones
who really understand the powerful forces that we are up against,
the mighty battles we have to fight.
You have to be a little Crazy. A little Khent. Raffi Khent, who's
novel of the same name was a call to action to an entire nation.
Barouyr Sevag Khent - whose song depicting Sardarabad best describes
our nation's political challenges - Yerp chee mnoom yelk oo jar,
Khentern en kdnoom hnar. [When there remains no way out, it is the
Khent that finds a way.]
Took ek, sireliner, aysorvah khenteruh vor beedee gerden mer azkee
baydzar abakan. Yev yes, yerakhdabard em vor indzee areetuh dvadz ek
tser hed baykareloo. [Ladies and Gentlemen, you are today's Khents
who will build a brighter future for Armenia. And I am an grateful
for the opportunity to go into battle with you.]
asbarez
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
On May 4 the Armenian National Committee of America Burbank chapter
hosted its annual banquet, during which ANCA Communications Director
Elizabeth Chouldjian delivered the keynote address. Below is the text
of her presentation:
Folks have asked me over the years, what it is that I find most
gratifying about working with the ANCA.
My answer has always been - our community.
Where else would a person have the opportunity to work with such a
diverse group of activists - from major U.S. cities and small town
America, some here for generations, others calling the U.S. home just
for a few years, folks who have spent a lifetime toward the betterment
of our community, and others who are just starting their service -
gathered together either physically in halls and community centers
like this one or linking up virtually through Facebook and Twitter -
Republicans, Democrats, Greens and Libertarians - all working together
with one singular aim - the strengthening of the Armenian nation.
It's joining you on evenings like this and spending time with ANC
leaders like Zareh Sinanian - whose service to this organization began
here in Burbank and now extends to our regional and national programs.
It's speaking with Sarkis Nikogosian, who has worked quietly and
tirelessly to assist the good people of Artsakh - but when I wanted
to print his specific donations and actions as part of an article in
Asbarez - he responded humbly, "keedek, ayt desagee paneroo maseen
harmar che khosel." It's young Talar Kossakian and the Burbank AYF
Varak chapter members, who, through their community activism and youth
leadership, give us all confidence that the future of our nation will
be in good hands. Add to that local leaders like City Clerk Campos,
who has spared no effort to expand Armenian American participation in
Burbank civic life. Congressman Schiff - who takes the lead in ending
the U.S. government's shameful complicity in Turkey's Genocide denial
- works tirelessly to ensure much needed assistance to Armenia and
Artsakh - and continues his efforts for the well being of his local
community and constituents.
It's having the opportunity to meet with each and everyone throughout
the course of this evening who together serve as the integral
foundation for the success of our local civic efforts.
In Washington, DC there is no shortage of interests - some righteous
and some downright reprehensible, using every means imaginable - legal
and illegal - all trying to secure victory for their side. But when
you look at the reasons of the Armenian American community's success,
it comes down to the three C's.
You have to have a just Cause - one that transcends party politics
or parochial concerns. A Cause that has been handed down generation
to generation for more than 3,000 years - a Cause of justice that
seeks to guarantee the fundamental rights of the Armenian nation. A
democratic and economically viable Armenia, a free and independent
Artsakh, a strong Javakhk, justice for the Armenian Genocide.
And you have to have the Courage to fight for that Cause. To fight -
day in and day out - against mighty interests who the odds makers
would have bet should have crushed us politically, militarily or
financially decades ago. Countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan -
who spend collectively close to $4 million a year in anti-Armenian
lobbying (according to the U.S. Justice Department records); 10 - 50
times that when taking into account alliances with multinanational
corporate interests - co-opted and coerced to promote agendas of
genocide denial and efforts to quash the right to self-determination
of a freedom loving people. And as if that is not enough, we need to
stand up to forces in our own government - the U.S. government - who
dishonor the founding principles of our nation - of life, liberty -
for the sake of perceived short term political gain.
And you need Capital. Human Capital - activists and advocates like
yourselves who look at the challenges facing the future of our nation
and say - as our Homenetmen Scouts said this evening - Meeshd Badrasd
(Always Prepared). A community prepared to be the sword and shield of
Armenian values in the political battlefield, just as our ancestors
did in Avarayr, in Sardarabad and our brothers and sisters did in
Karabakh when our nation needed them most.
Washington DC is a city of embassies and ambassadors - representing
countries large and small. Here in the U.S., the Armenian nation has
1.5 million Ambassadors - each of us with an opportunity in the world
of business, politics, even pop-culture, entertainment and sports -
to advance the Armenian Cause.
And to educate, motivate and activate this second army of the Armenian
nation - you need the other kind of Capital - financial Capital. To
invest in programs like the Capital Gateway Program - bringing the
best and brightest to Washington, DC to become the future leaders of
this country. To continue internship programs like the Leo Sarkisian
Internship, and our internships in the Western United States and
Glendale and to expand to Burbank and every other community, to prepare
the new generation of Hai Tahd activists. To set up programs like the
Hyevotes initiative - not just in California and Massachusetts and
New York and New Jersey where our traditional communities lie - but in
Florida, and Ohio and other swing states that are going to decide who
the next President of the United States will be. To encourage broader
Armenian American participation in ALL political parties - as elected
officials and community advocates - so that our voice is heard from the
city council to the White House, so that politicians intent on double
crossing our community, of renegging on campaign promises, of saying
one thing and doing another - face the consequences they deserve.
To invest in programs that would expand our reach in media and ensure
our nation, our values, our history is represented properly. To battle
anti-Armenian defamation and racism - locally or nationally. To ensure
that the Hai Tahd message doesn't just go out to 30,000 ANCA facebook
friends or 100,000 folks on our email list - but 300,000 or 3 million
world wide.
That is what your support for the ANCA Burbank and the ANCA Endowment
Fund does, ladies and gentlemen. That is what your support for 2006
and 2009 Telethons has contributed to the Armenian Cause. And that
is why your support for the May 20th Telethon is so vital to our
collective efforts.
Let me wrap up with one final thought.
I talked about the 3 C's of our community's success. There is a fourth
'C', that I only mention to the closest of our supporters. The ones
who really understand the powerful forces that we are up against,
the mighty battles we have to fight.
You have to be a little Crazy. A little Khent. Raffi Khent, who's
novel of the same name was a call to action to an entire nation.
Barouyr Sevag Khent - whose song depicting Sardarabad best describes
our nation's political challenges - Yerp chee mnoom yelk oo jar,
Khentern en kdnoom hnar. [When there remains no way out, it is the
Khent that finds a way.]
Took ek, sireliner, aysorvah khenteruh vor beedee gerden mer azkee
baydzar abakan. Yev yes, yerakhdabard em vor indzee areetuh dvadz ek
tser hed baykareloo. [Ladies and Gentlemen, you are today's Khents
who will build a brighter future for Armenia. And I am an grateful
for the opportunity to go into battle with you.]