Journalism textbooks claim that when telling about the emergencies, you need to highlight people’s nationality, race, religion and even the profession if it does not add any information about the incident. In other words, if Poghos had stolen an apple from the market, it is one thing, but if we write that a Yezidi by nationality or a “Jehovah witness” by religion, or a fireman by specialty Poghos is stealing, then the reader may consciously or subconsciously make generalizations, hence, all the Yezidis (“Jehovah’s Witnesses” or firemen) are inclined in such illegal practices.
Recently, a very funny event happened, Soghomon Kocharyan, convicted a life sentence 20 years ago, having serious health problems was discharged. Glory and honor to our colleagues and thanks to their consistency, this fair and humane decision was made. But why do we, describing the events that took place 20 years ago, emphasize that the victim was an Azeri by nationality? If the Iranian-citizen driver were a Persian by nationality or an Armenian, would it change anything in the circumstances of the case?
The national problem, certainly, is the most sensitive, and for this very reason, conditioning anything by nationality is often wrong and sometimes also dangerous. I have an acquaintance who claims that the Young Turks government was composed of entirely Jews, moreover, Ataturk was Jewish, Erdoğan is Jewish and Davutoğlu is Jewish. Let’s assume it is, I’m not going to argue. Does it add something to the policy led by them? The fact that Sergey Lavrov has Armenian blood, does it characterize his activities in the position of RF foreign minister, or does it affect Russia’s foreign policy? No. Erdoğan is Turkish by his activities, Lavrov is Russian, the rest are purely of domestic significance. Ara Abrahamian, in this regard, is right, he is also Russian, because, with his activities, he implements Russia’s policy. It is another question as to why he wants to do it in Armenia.
Recently, a terrifying story became known. In Petersburg, a 6-month old breastfed baby was taken away from the mother of a Tajik family and the mother was taken to the police department. Without heat and food, the baby died a few hours later. Here, the nationality of the victim’s family is essential, because they were migrants. While the nationality of the police does not matter at all, they could be Russians, Tatars or Tajiks. Importantly is Russia’s police system, which we, Armenians, are well aware of. Or else, the sadists have no nationality.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
