Meltha Magazine Online

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2002 May Conference page 21

Alienation of Assyrian Political Performance in Diaspora

Dr. Aprim SHAPERA

Every Assyrian who leaves the homeland carries with him his most treasured personal. He also

takes along with a less visible suitcase, one that contains the ideas, methods, behaviors, beliefs, and memories stored in his brain. This "mental suitcase" may also include some aspirations, thoughts and feelings, particularly as concerns politics and Assyrian nationalism which, due to .tyrannical policies of today's regimes in the Middle East, has been stored in the back compartments of his mental suitcase (subconscious mind). Once socially and financially established in Diaspora in due course he will replace personal effects with new one, thereby giving him an appearance in keeping with .his new surroundings. But what becomes of the mental baggage? Is it as easily altered as the contents of the first suitcase? It dose happen in some cases; the individual thoroughly merges into the new society. But it would seem that, for the most part, this dose not occur for a period of time, which may be short or long, the ideological baggage brought from the old world remains unaffected, and this has a bearing on their national and political outlook. In effect, the immigrant finds himself in the Diaspora, but his brain is preoccupied with the homeland. This is what meant by "alteration".

As such the Assyrian will no longer live in Ashour, but Ashour will live in him, in his thought and consciousness as an important spiritual and moral element. "Ashour", as result of emigration, has been transferred from an objective matter to a subjective element, from a geographical factor to a spiritual motive, therefore, the spirituality of "Ashour" will reflect strongly in his national and political behavior and performance. To be more specific, if we take a quick glance at the Assyrian Political Parties, we will easily find that for them, " Ashour" is the core of their bylaws, aims, programs and agenda. Meanwhile, there is no reference .to facts or reality, and to objective elements of the Assyrian society in Diaspora, where these parties established and perform;

Achievements of Assyrian political parties are imperceptible, and very limited in Diaspora, such as irregular newsletters, occasional press releases, and participation in an annual celebration. As result of their failure, these political parties experience constant retreats, division, decrease in membership, and therefore, lose their credibility and popularity among Assyrians.

It is true that Assyrians are not the only ones in Diaspora establishing political parties, and struggling to secure national and human rights in their homeland. However, there are few facts that make the Assyrian case an exceptional one and different from others. First, Assyrians live and establish their political parties in Diaspora. Second, the most exceptional fact regarding the Assyrians is that their number in Diaspora is greater that those who remain in the homeland, and the number of emigrants constantly rises. Third, it is odd that almost all Assyrian political parties claim an independent or autonomous state for Assyrians, or they promote the "liberation of Ashour". Meanwhile,' the party leaders and members are enjoying all the comforts of the West, and are trying their best to have the rest of their family or relatives that still remains in the homeland to join them.

In order for Assyrian political parties to succeed in achieving their goals, they must liberate themselves from their political and mental alienation. Firstly, they must replace their old, stagnant and alienated agenda and bylaws with new ones that are compatible to a life in democratic societies. They need to rearrange their priorities and find a way of balancing the objective and subjective elements of their performance. They must realize that they no longer live in Ashour, and Ashour should be the subjective element of their goals and aspirations. Their objectives and goals should be concentrated on Assyrians in Diaspora. Once they understand and put in practice the art of balancing the two elements, then they will realize that their goals are achievable. Once they achieve the goal of reviving the Assyrian society in Diaspora, only then they will strengthen the position of the Assyrians who live in the homeland. Revival of the Assyrian society in Diaspora will strengthen the Assyrians in homeland, and vice versa..