I suspect many who may have read my previous op-ed are questioning
my intentions; perhaps even manipulating my arguments to paint my proposal as
outrageous. However, the development of our own Greek-American Issues does not
necessarily mean the abandonment of the ethnika themata we have all
grown to know. In fact, what I am proposing is simply that our perspective
needs adjusting. Perhaps we should gear our attention towards issues and
positions that will preserve our community as an ethnic enclave of Hellenism.
As well as set us apart from the established centers of our ethnos that are in
decline so that we may be an autonomous beacon of hope and Hellenic culture,
thus allowing us to defend Hellenism globally.
To do this, we must realize that Hellenism and Greece are not one
in the same. Once we are able to make such a distinction it is then time to ask
ourselves, “What is more important, Hellenism (e.g. our ancestral Culture,
Philosophy, and Language) or the corrupt puppet state that is Greece?”
For me, the answer is Hellenism. Our
loyalty should be to the Greek people and our Hellenic traditions, not to some vassal
state that fails to protect the interests of its citizens and Diaspora.
As Greek Americans, it is unrealistic for us to rely on Athens or
Constantinople for guidance. What do they know of our community and its
struggles? How often have we been neglected and looked down upon as
“Amerikanakia”? Yet we are expected to fall in line whenever the corrupt
government of Greece decides we may be of some value to them? We have our
own struggles to deal with, such as, the possibility of cultural assimilation
into the mainstream “white” identity of America. A process that is already
taking place, as the “Greek” in “Greek American” is quickly dissolving as our
youth begins to identify as merely “Americans of Greek descent”. Most of which
are unable to speak Greek fluently, and even fewer are literate in our mother
tongue. For the most part, their identity is exclusively centered on their
family and perhaps their Church.
As such the real concerns of Greek America are maintaining the
Greek identity and, of course, protecting and promoting Hellenism worldwide. It
is upon such guiding principles that our Greek-American issues should be based.
Therefore, I propose organizing our issues into four broad themes
that would act like umbrella categories in which more issues would be
addressed.
- Elliniko Paideia
The number one concern for Greek Americans should be educating the
next generation in a way, which will not only lead to continued professional
success, but also maintain our ethnic identity and create a real sense of community.
To achieve this, we must restructure our community away from Church led schools
to Secular operated Charter schools, which focus on Greek language, philosophy,
and history. These institutions should serve as the
centers of our community, with facilities open, free of charge, for all cultural
and regional-based syllogoi to use.
- Anti-Hellenism
Our next issue is a concept that has gained little attention or
support inside our community. This is the belief in a unique brand of racial
and ethnic discrimination called Anti-Hellenism. This form of ethnic and
even intellectual prejudice should be the main focus of our community. Most of
the current ethinka themata could be presented in such a way within this
concept, which would make it easier for non-Greeks to understand and even relate
to and perhaps promote our issues.
- Greek Human Rights
Although Greek-Americans have witnessed their fair share of ethnic
prejudice, today, for the most part, we live comfortably within our adopted
homeland. This, however, is not the case for many of our ethnic kin throughout
the world. As such, it is our responsibility as a community that has suffered
similar types of discrimination to speak out for those who continued to face
such hardships.
- The return of stolen Hellenic artifacts
Often thought only to encompass the struggle for the return of the
Elgin Marbles, there are, in fact, numerous artifacts that have been looted and
pillaged from the ancient Greek world. It is our duty to fight for the return
of all of these lost pieces of our heritage. For as long as thieves profit off
the accomplishments of our ancestors, how can we truly honor them?
These are what our National Issues should be; Issues based on our
community’s needs and free from foreign entanglements. This is how our
community’s resources would be better spent in order to safeguard our
community’s future and ensure the survival of Hellenism.
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This article is part of a series of op-eds concerning the Greek American Community and the idea of creating our own unique National Issues, separate from the traditional ones held by Greece, Cyprus, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The purpose of these op-eds is to develop a new perspective on the important issues facing Hellenism and the Greek American Community. Previous Article -- Next Article
