flawlesss: me

Sun, 12 May 2013 23:13:39 -0400

flawlesss:

me

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caramelpussy: Alexander McQueen Dress Sarabande, spring/summer...

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:43:06 -0400

caramelpussy:

Alexander McQueen

Dress

Sarabande, spring/summer 2007

Nude silk organza, embroidered with silk flowers and fresh flowers

Photographed by Sølve Sundsbø

aeromatic: Hahaha i go through this like 50 times a day oops

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:40:06 -0400

aeromatic:

Hahaha i go through this like 50 times a day oops

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Sun, 12 May 2013 19:35:00 -0400

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I did an interview for a women’s studies project a friend...

Sun, 12 May 2013 19:15:48 -0400

I did an interview for a women’s studies project a friend is doing.

middleeasternwomenofucr:

“Half Armenian, I live at the INTERSECTIONS”

“I may be half, but I have full PRIDE!”

Alissa Muradliyan-Medina

3rd year double major in English and Women’s Studies

Half-Armenian, Half-White

Were you born here and if so how did it feel to be raise by parents

who are from a different culture than the one you are currently being

raised in?

I was born in California. My grandparents on my mom’s side came to America from Istanbul. They were Christian Armenians that grew up in a

Muslim country; so they were extremely divided in regards to culture

and religion in their home country. My grandfather received a

scholarship to come to America to pursue his studies, and my

grandmother shortly followed when she was pregnant with my mother. My

mother taught me all she knew about her Armenian culture and the

Turkish influence on it, as well. She sent me to Hye Camp (an Armenian

church camp in Dunlap, Calif.) when I was only 10 years old. I then

went for 9 years straight, learning about my culture. I decided to

join the Armenian sorority on campus, too. I later dropped out, but I

have always been a firm believer in the Armenian culture and have

always stayed close to my roots. My mother shares so many of her

traditions she grew up with, with me.

Is there anything you wish you could do if you were not tied down by

your cultural expectations?

I really wish Armenians had a different perspective on individuals who

are half. My grandfather did not go to my parent’s wedding – even

though my dad was baptized in an Armenian church to be married to my

mom. He desperately wanted her to marry an Armenian. I am not tainted,

or a showcase of disrespect to the Armenian culture. My mom married

for love, not for her ethnicity. I tried integrating myself in

Armenian culture more and more, just realized that some individuals

still go by this belief.

Do plan on marrying someone of your own race? Is that the same as

marrying someone in the Middle East from a different country?

I, personally, don’t have any future plans to get married. From a

feminist perspective, I feel that a man who treats me with respect and

sees me as an equal is far more important than the culture he has.

Have you been in anyways undermined for your gender in your culture?

I have been told to my face at Armenian functions that my opinion

means nothing because I am a woman. I have had Armenian men ignore me

and treat me as if I am not on their same level. I definitely feel

that the strong gender stereotypes and binaries set upon men and women

in the Armenian culture need to be remapped and renegotiated. In my

women’s studies classes, I learn nothing of Armenian feminists or any

Armenian women. Just recently, an organization called OneArmenia

raised money for shelters for women who have had to move out because

of domestic abuse. I am so glad that more individuals are making steps

to showcase this growing problem and to work to get these women away

from these environments.

Are there any scenarios you have been placed in that contradict your

culture that you have had to defend yourself for?

When I quit my Armenian sorority on campus, a lot of people asked

questions why. I removed myself from a collective that I just did not

feel made efforts on women’s equality or the betterment of Armenian

women. It was definitely a hard scenario to go through. It’s tough

making decisions based on your own feminist views, but sometimes you

have to place yourself out of situations to fully be yourself. Just

because you don’t go to a bunch of Armenian functions, it doesn’t mean

you’re any less or more. I feel that the “real” Armenians are the ones

helping our culture by studying it and changing it.

In front of other cultures, have you ever had to defend yourself, have

ever been looked at wrongly, or felt discriminated against?

I’ve had many friends tell me they didn’t even know Armenia existed as

a country before they met me. I feel that our culture is clearly

unknown and isolated. Sometimes, it’s almost like we don’t have a

culture because of this anonymity and forgotten-ness. Every time the

anniversary of the genocide comes in April, it brings back so many

emotions of being the culture that has almost been erased. I feel that

not many people are educated or understand Armenian efforts to be

recognized.

What do you feel is one thing that empowers you within your culture?

The Armenian women in my family are so close and so supportive. I

also have many Armenian female friends who are like sisters to me. I

feel that the notion of being family, even though you may not share

the same last name but share the same culture, is so important. It

allows us to form a collective and empower ourselves.

What is your best quality/ characteristic?

I feel that my best quality is being able to express myself and

express my feminist views. I also enjoy my pale skin. Though sometimes

people think I’m anemic! (I’m not)

In opposition, is there anything that you regret about the Middle

Eastern culture or being Middle Eastern?

I regret most men being unable to understand equality for women. It

baffles me the ignorance so many men have. Stop hitting your wives,

controlling them, thinking that they will come home after their jobs

and cook and clean for you. Stop being misogynist. We are equal. We

will fight to be heard!

What myths and/or stereotypes would you like to address concerning your culture?

The myths that all Armenian women get plastic surgery and or conform

to the Glendale mold. My mom never puts on make-up or heavy eyeliner.

Some women prefer to be natural!

What are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about feminist media and studies of

feminist girlhood. I also love, love, love writing!

What was your experience growing up as a Middle Eastern in America

during this specific time period?

My older brother has a very defined “Armenian nose.” I have seen his

location in society and I definitely feel Americans have a certain

disorientation with Middle Eastern men. They are not criminals, or

hyper-masculine. I feel that after September 11th, many people

unclearly focused on just those two stereotypes.

My own experience growing up as a Middle Eastern woman is one that has

always had to live in a double conscious experience. I was either

white, or Armenian. Never both. I always had to either play the part

of being a part of my culture or nothing much at all. It’s hard for me

to really “fit in.” I guess I’ve always been a weird outlier.

What do you want people to know about your culture?

We are strong. We are passionate. We have so many intellectual

individuals in pop culture and history that have really made a

positive footprint on our culture. We are doctors, writers,

scientists, etc. We are everywhere! And we want you to embrace us and

understand us.

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reservedvomit: need need neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed

Fri, 10 May 2013 03:19:16 -0400

reservedvomit:

need need neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed

womensweardaily: Katy Perry in Dolce & Gabbana at the Met...

Fri, 10 May 2013 03:19:01 -0400

womensweardaily:

Katy Perry in Dolce & Gabbana at the Met Gala

Photo by Evan Falk

thatfunnyblog: because this needed to be transparent lol Funny...

Fri, 10 May 2013 03:15:34 -0400

thatfunnyblog:

because this needed to be transparent lol

Funny Stuff you like?

urbanoutcasters: wow this is sooo cute!

Wed, 08 May 2013 01:50:38 -0400

urbanoutcasters:

wow this is sooo cute!

chotai: I watched Sirusho’s new music video, PreGomesh, and I...

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:34:00 -0400

chotai:

I watched Sirusho’s new music video, PreGomesh, and I just had to screencap it. I love it because it has beautiful Armenian imagery, and the clothes that are featured are some of the most beautiful couture designs I’ve seen from Armenian designers. The song itself has grown on me.

alis volat propriis

flawlesss: me

Photo

Photo

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caramelpussy: Alexander McQueen Dress Sarabande, spring/summer...

aeromatic: Hahaha i go through this like 50 times a day oops

Photo

Photo

I did an interview for a women’s studies project a friend...

Photo

Photo

Photo

Photo

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reservedvomit: need need neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed

womensweardaily: Katy Perry in Dolce & Gabbana at the Met...

Katy Perry in Dolce & Gabbana at the Met Gala

Photo by Evan Falk

thatfunnyblog: because this needed to be transparent lol Funny...

urbanoutcasters: wow this is sooo cute!

chotai: I watched Sirusho’s new music video, PreGomesh, and I...