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CK Garabed
Weekly Columnist
C.K. Garabed (a.k.a. Charles Kasbarian) has been active in the Armenian Church and Armenian community organizations all his life. As a writer and editor, he has been a keen observer of, and outspoken commentator on, political and social matters affecting Armenian Americans. He has been a regular contributor to the Armenian Reporter and the AGBU Literary Quarterly, “ARARAT.” For the last 30 years, Garabed has been a regular contributor to the Armenian Weekly. He produces a weekly column called “Uncle Garabed's Notebook,” in which he presents an assortment of tales, anecdotes, poems, riddles, and trivia; for the past 10 years, each column has contained a deconstruction of an Armenian surname. He believes his greatest accomplishment in life, and his contribution to the Armenian nation, has been the espousing of Aghavni, and the begetting of Antranig and Lucine.
Latest posts by CK Garabed (see all)
- A Reminiscence: John Najarian - February 19, 2020
- Uncle Garabed’s Notebook (Aug. 5, 2017) - August 7, 2017
- Uncle Garabed’s Notebook (July 22, 2017) - July 22, 2017
I have long been aware of these sanitized versions of Saroyan’s original words, especially that last line, where the venerable author vents his anger just a tad. My question is, who rewrote Saroyan’s words: the author himself, or someone else? I think we should insist on only using the original version.
Although I understand why people started using/printing the sanitized version, it still irritated me. As a cousin of Saroyan, I know he was one not to mince words, and would prefer the original be printed. Let the real Saroyan be heard!
Much as I regret it, the altered versions of Saroyan’s saying are more memorable, and powerful, than the actual quote itself. Of course, it is inaccurate. Then again, so many memorable phrases are misquoted from the original.
By the way, whatever happened to Saroyan’s children? I know one was a writer. What are they doing now? Are they involved in anything Armenian? I know they are talented people.
On a similar note, Saroyan may not have always been involved in things Armenian but he never turned his back on us. He first wrote in the Hairenik (the English language edition) – the predecessor of this paper – in the 1930’s. How many of our “famous” writers – those who have “made it” in the larger American society – have bothered to write for their own people’s publications? Indeed, how many of them have written anything about or for Armenians?
And not just writers, but other “successful” Armenian American, particularly elected officials, who have been politically co-opted, and dare not speak out about Armenian issues, such as the Genocide.
Often, the Armenian American media publicize and praise these people to the sky even when they have zero Armenian identity. It’s pretty childish if you think about it.
An example: Yosef Karsh the famous, late, Canadian photographer. What did he ever do for Armenians? Nothing, as far as is known. He even lived the latter part of his life in Boston but had no contact that I know of with the Armenian community. When one local Armenian wanted to interview him, Karsh turned him down.
There are lots and lots of “famous” Armenian Americans like this that we go ga-ga over. Why, I can’t understand. If they’re not proud of us, why should we be proud of them? If they don’t act Armenian, why should we even care about them?
Another one? Former US ambassador to Israel Ed Djeredjian. Can’t stand the guy. Writer David Ignatius. Can’t stand the guy. Oh, I could name more – lots more – but I won’t. Not now, anyway.
As to Saroyan’s offspring, his daughter Lucy, a stage actress, died a few short years ago, after an unhappy last few years of life. Aram is a poet, novelist, biographer, memoirist and playwright, and, if I’m accurate on this, a university professor. He’s won awards for his poetry, and is respected in the world of literature. Aram was invited to attend the Saroyan Conference in Yerevan this past autumn, but declined. Not sure if he’s involved in anything Armenian or not. But his talent is unquestionable.
Dave is so right. These puffed up pseudo Hyes get invited to sit on the dais at April 24, functions. Their names are announced, they stand up, smile and wave to the audience and are next seen when they are running for re-election and are seldom if ever seen again. Phooey. We love Saroyan for at least writing about the Armenians but could he not have found one Armenian wife along the way?