I typically use the word “square” when referring to certain mindsets and attitudes in my articles and posts. Perhaps it is mostly clear what this means, but I will explain it in any case. When I say “closed” or “square,” I mean a geometric shape that is unchanging in many instances. Large or small, black or green, or drawn with chalk or a pen- a square remains a square.
The issue becomes more difficult when we are talking about social phenomena and people. When we say that someone is disgusting, several questions must arise: is this person really disgusting for all of society? Were they like this since the day they were born? Or just the opposite- when we refer to someone as wonderful, can we say that they are always wonderful for everyone? Or, which is more probable- are there people who simply can’t stand them?
And so, when we limit ourselves to using only one term, and we don’t want to see the full image of a person or phenomenon, we can refer to this as being “square.” Being a “square” or closed brings about intolerance and fanaticism, and the lack of that is a condition for open-mindedness and forgiveness. These last two characteristics need to be shown even in instances where people are accused of or have been convicted of serious crimes.
It is good that there is a possibility of Mher Yenokyan, who was accused of murder, being freed. He was secluded from society for his crime for a very long time. I genuinely wish for his and other criminals’ actions to be judged from a humanitarian view. It’s bad, however, that Mher is not honest; he continues to claim that no murder took place.
It’s understandable that the people who took over a police regiment and spilled the blood of innocent people were freed due to political accounts. It’s not understandable, however, that they only accept one of the three murders, and that, when speaking about that murder, they say, “We killed him, so what? It was an act of rebellion. The nation needed it.” It is even less understandable for me that several thousands of Armenians share that opinion.
But if people don’t think about the spiritual consequences of their mindset and their actions, that’s their business, in the end. In any case, it is wrong to describe the entire essence of a person using one word, including those whose positions seem to be very unacceptable. Attaching labels to people is one of the biggest components of being a “square.”
Aram Abrahamyan
