Armenian-Americans

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, of the more than 500,000 Armenians in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, 400,000 Armenian-Americans live in Los Angeles, the largest contingent outside of Armenia itself. The author relates that, although they are considered a Middle Eastern people, Armenians are overwhelmingly Christian, both in their home country and in America, with its church related to the Oriental Orthodox Church, but separate. The paper relates that the Armenian-Americans were well positioned to survive the 1992 Los Angeles race riots because, although these merchants' original Armenian clientele had moved out to the suburbs, the merchants had treated their multi-racial new customers justly; those customers helped in patrolling to keep the Armenian shops from harm.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Long History of Ill Treatment Causes Migration
Current Characterization of Armenian Ethnicity in the United States
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"While most immigrants from the Middle Eastern nations had not been classified as "white," Armenians were. "This was accomplished despite the fact that other West and South Asian groups, such as Cypriots, Iranians, Syrians, and Indians were at various times legally excluded from the category 'white' even when they, like Armenians, could claim to be 'Caucasian' or appeared white." This has allowed Armenians to choose their attitudes concerning the indigenous racial problems they find in the United States. Armenians would 'readily amalgamate with the European and white races'; in other words, they could be counted upon to blend in, to melt into the pot."

More papers on Armenian-Americans:

• Essay # 64481 : "Armenian-Americans"
• Essay # 68131 : "Armenian Culture and Identity in America"
• Essay # 67925 : "Armenian Culture"

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