Breaking down stereotypes in Armenia

“Where are you from?”

“America.”

“No, like where are you really from?”

“America.”

“What’s your nationality?”

“American.”

“I mean where are your parents and grandparents from?”

“America.”

Maya Killingsworth, 26-year-old Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia, recalls countless interactions with Armenian host country nationals, in which this type of dialogue has taken place, concerning her ancestry and heritage. The concept of national identity and its preservation is of utmost importance for Armenians, mostly due to the Armenian genocide in 1915, during World War I. During this time, Armenians scattered throughout the world and many Armenian diaspora communities around the world came into being.

For the Armenian people there is usually no distinction between race, ethnicity and nationality, so these questions can be challenging and confusing for Americans. Maya has chosen to transform these challenging discussions into teachable moments and positive interactions, allowing her to talk to the Armenian people about her history and the many similarities that exist between the two. This creates understanding and empathy, and helps Armenians understand that America is home to people of many backgrounds.

As a young African American woman walking through the streets of Armenia, Maya felt "exotified."

“It felt like I was being looked at as a spectacle – not as a human being,” says Maya. “Even now people stare at me and take pictures of me left and right. It is very jarring for me. Although my school prepared students for my arrival, there were some students in my English clubs who were asking me why I wasn’t white, and how I can be American if I am not white.”

When Maya began her service, she realized that it would not be easy, and this new chapter of her life was going to have many challenges. Nonetheless, Maya embarked on this journey and soon witnessed the daily struggles of her fellow Black volunteers. In response, Maya and her friend Jacqueline Grant created a group to give voice to African-American experiences and perspectives.

Along with fellow Peace Corps Volunteer Alicia Easley, Maya led a discussion series to address topics around Black culture and history. The group plans to spread these discussions to other regions throughout Armenia in order to contribute to greater awareness and openness.

With all its ups and down, Maya’s service continues to be a valuable experience. “Being here in Armenia has allowed me to recognize and acknowledge how similar Armenian and African American cultures are, because of our shared histories. It has also allowed me to live out those similarities in a way that I’d never have been able to in America; it’s allowed me to get in touch more with my ancestry and my roots. Without Armenia, my host families, or the Armenian community, I would not have been able to recognize these cultural and historical similarities. Armenia has allowed me to grow and find myself in ways that I didn’t know were possible” says Maya.

It is hard to fight against reinforced perceptions and years of education with textbooks that teach children to use the “n” word while addressing African Americans. But not for Maya; she’s determined to persevere. “I hope to dismantle these misconceptions and stereotypes of my people, our history and our culture through positive interactions and impactful discussions,” concludes Maya.

Sipping Armenian coffee, which is now her favorite, Maya looks out the window and smiles to passersby who give her looks of curiosity. To these people, Maya has only one thing to say: “Our histories, cultures and traditions, are more alike than they are different, but it is our differences that create this common thread and ultimately unite us.”