Do What You Do Well: Diaspora Activism Beyond Politics
Nubar Afeyan does technology well. Carolyn Mugar does environmental well. Do what you do best and make Armenia better.
In the face of deep Armenia-diaspora polarization over the Pashinyan government and its policies, Barsamian offers a deceptively simple yet powerful answer: stop waiting for perfect political alignment and instead do the work you’re actually good at. Rather than demand ideological loyalty or withdraw from Armenia entirely, diasporans should identify their comparative advantage-technology, environment, education, healthcare, business-and contribute within that lane regardless of political disagreement with the government.
Barsamian cites concrete examples: Nubar Afeyan’s success in technology startups, Carolyn Mugar’s Armenia Tree Project environmental work, Sam Simonian’s TUMO education initiatives. These figures have found ways to advance Armenia’s development without becoming servants of the government or abandoning their values. They work around politics by focusing on substantive, measurable impact. This approach recognizes an important reality: a government may make decisions you oppose, but the country and people continue to need water, electricity, schools, jobs, and hope.
This framing offers diasporans a path through the paralysis of polarization. You don’t have to agree with leadership to help. You don’t have to choose between love of Armenia and political principle. Instead, identify what your skills serve, commit to excellence in that domain, and trust that practical contributions build Armenia’s resilience better than boycotts or political ultimatums. For a diaspora exhausted by the binary choice between uncritical support and complete withdrawal, Barsamian’s message is liberating: do your work, let your work speak, and help Armenia become stronger through your specific talents.
Transcript
Anthony Barsamian: You know, Nubar Afeyan does technology well. Make sure that he can continue to do that work in technology. Carolyn Mugar does environmental well. Make sure she can do that. Sam Simonian does education through TUMO well. Make sure he can do that. Whatever we're all contributing, I'd say do that. I don't run the government, nor do I care to run the government. I don't even care to run my own government. I'm not involved as a political servant here when I've been offered to get more involved. The thing is, you do what you do. And hope that the leadership have enough wherewithal to protect the country. So do I have an answer for you? No, I don't. I think we're, you know, history is being shaped right now and it's going to continue to be shaped. But if I can help get the prisoners out, I'd be more than willing to do whatever I need to do there. Those are the kind of tangible things that we as diasporans, Armenian Americans can work towards is getting our friends out of jail, making sure the economy of Armenia is strong, and making sure they're armed to the hilt. Because if they have weapons, that would be a good thing. Also, Armenia needs good friends. I mean, I think, don't belittle, or not that you're belittling, don't discount what I'm telling you. Armenia needs strong alliances.