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=> Why we should all love Emil...

Why we should all love Emil...
Posted by Jeff (Guest) - Friday, September 23 2005, 3:00:50 (CEST)
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freetobe
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 8:11 am Post subject: Reply with quote
Schlamalokhoon atourayet dunyeh,
My name is Emil Keliane and I am Assyrian and queer, out, and the author of "Square Moon, Diary of Emil Keliane"/ www.emilsdiary.com. I have quietly followed this thread for some time now and have found myself inspired, offended, disappointed, angered, and even tickled. But what I have tried to keep in mind the entire time is a semblance of patience and compassion.
After all, I should respect others' opinions and feelings nomatter what I may think of them, right?
I think as Assyrian men and women we face so many cultural pressures and phobias. And unfortunately it seems that in an attempt to preserve and protect our culture/unity/Christianity/identity/ideology we have created more rifts, more hostility, more homophobia, bigotry; that our struggle to maintain our identity has caused more rifts in the many enclaves and communities of the Diaspora than unity.
Bottom line is we have to evolve- emotionally, spiritually, personally, intellectually. And at the same time believe that we will survive this evolution. Why do we have to be Christian to be Assyrian? Why do we have to be homophobic to be "true Assyrians"? Why can't we be expansive, articulate, compassionate, Christian, and at the same time forward-thinking? Why do we have to choose one or the other?
As an Assyrian born and raised in Iran until the age of ten, as an Assyrian who speaks Assyrian and Farsi, as an Assyrian who is queer and out, I have so often heard other Assyrians dictate what it means to be a "true Assyrian" and if one veers even slightly from this expectation he/she is criticized and even ostracized.
Why?
What are we so afraid of?
Why should fear and hypercriticism be our guiding light?
I choose not to buy into it and still remain a "true Assyrian".
And I'm not the only one. I have received countless e-mails of encouragement from Assyrian supporters, some gay, most straight who laude my diary and identify with my struggle. Men and women who are fed up with an outdated " Assyrian manual for survival" that is oppressive, emotionally abusive, spiritually dead, culturally embarrassing! We've had enough to be quite honest.
Being Assyrian is not about being superior or "chosen" by God. Who do we think we are? Being Assyrian is about being human, men among men, women among women. We're not victims, we're not tyrants. We're just mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, some Christian, some queer, some highly educated, some deeply troubled, some of mixed blood, some mentally ill, some drug addicted, some multi-lingual, some not, etc. etc. And each of us deserves to be loved, accepted, embraced, and legally recognized and protected.
No matter how painful it is at times to choose a life that is honest and my own, I would not give up a single moment of it just to fit in and please others. And I know I am not alone.
Emil Keliane



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