So I’ve definitely been working on this post for….yea, nearly a year. Clearly I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I just wanted it to be perfect!
Okay, okay: you caught me. I was doing research and since I’m a method writer, I had to procrastinate in order to completely understand the essence of the concept. Yup, I’m doing Christian Bale and Daniel Day-Lewis proud (not to mention, proving my last post).
Anyways, there’s no question that Greek-Americans will put things off as long as they can get away with it. Or until some one else does it for them (the preferred outcome for obvious reasons). Well, unless they receive some sort of outside motivation. The Greeks came up with some of the most influential concepts in all of history (i.e., Democracy, Astronomy, etc) and then they called it quits. There was no topping those contributions, so why bother. That’s the Greek way.
Take myself for instance: I have no problem completing essays or articles for my professors and employers. In fact, I’ll finish my work early just to get a better grade (or to get into their good graces). This blog, however, isn’t really holding anything over my head. Well, until I got an email alerting me of a comment some one had left.
So now you know, that was my incentive for posting once more (and hopefully more to come). I simply can’t let fellow Greek-Americans down! So for that, I promise to procrastinate less, write more frequently, and continue figuring out all of the things that make Greek-Americans tick.
A big thanks to all of those who take the time to actually read the stuff that I come up with, despite my Greek-inspired laziness.
The fact that Greek-Americans are probably one of the most ethnically proud people in the US is evidenced in the constant reminder of Greek success. But can you really blame us?
From the beginning of civilization, Greece produced some of the best scholarly and scientific/technological works of the time (which the Romans then stole from us). In more recent times, Greece has kept to itself for the most part, but we’ve still managed to win the hearts of many.
This widespread philhellenism has been achieved mainly through the following:
1. Food
2. Media (i.e. My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Mamma Mia!)
3. Famous People of Greek Origin
Take note that food is first on the list; that was completely intentional and well-deserved. Even if most people don’t realize it, the owner of your local pizza joint, regardless of the restaurant’s name, may very likely be owned by a Greek family, not Italians. Just because pizza is Italian cuisine, doesn’t mean Greeks can’t make it (it is pretty damn easy). This is true even in the smallest of towns, including my own rural hometown where I worked at a pizza restaurant called Angie’s. How did I get the job? The owners were Greek. No joke, that’s just how us Greek-Americans role.
Getting back to the point, Greek-Americans will undoubtedly attribute any success a Greek person has to their heritage, or at least brag about the fact that a successful person is Greek. And that person doesn’t have to cure cancer; it can legit be anything noteworthy. For example, I would be willing to bet that some Greek-American out there has brought up the fact that the inventor of the Pap smear was Giorgios Nicholas Papanikolaou, born on the Greek island of Evia and graduate of the University of Athens.
This is serious stuff people. Its like a disease. As prideful Greek-Americans, we are programmed to go out of our way to know about this things. There are even video blogs (humorous ones, of course) explaining the phenomenon of “Greek Success.”
Despite the sometimes sheer ridiculousness of this habitual boasting and bragging, you have to admit that its pretty damn cool that we do have all these historically influential natives.
I, for one, really appreciate and wonder at the fact that I can truly say that my ancestors are from the same Greek Island on which Sappho and Theophilos Hatzimihail grew up and developed their art. That’s right, most of my Greek heritage is derived from Λέσβος (Lesvos) and its pretty frickin awesome, don’t you think? On my Dad’s side, however, my ancestors are from Sparta and, for any of you that have seen 300, you know just how sweet that is; and if you have it, you need to immediately!
It’s also important to mention that this trend is not limited to Greek-Americans. Oh no no no no no. Native Hellenes today make their importance known even today. So much so, in fact, that in the Spring of 2008, Skai TV opened up the polls to their viewers to vote on who is the greatest Greek of all time. Subsequently there is a show entitled Μεγαλοι Ελληνες (Great Greeks). No matter how ethnocentric this whole ordeal might be, it is still pretty kick ass.
Anyways, if you’re curious about other famous Greek-America people, you should check out this list. You better believe people took the time to compile a comprehensive list of notable Greeks on wikipedia.
That’s all for now. Expect great things for next week…Πασχα is almost here!!!
Religion is a big part of the Greek culture and since its Lent, it is an appropriate time to write this and it was going to be done sooner or later. So why not sooner?!
This is especially true when visiting the motherland. What isn’t to like about hiking up a long, dusty trail so that you can see a great holy edifice built into the side of a mountain, hearing the chanting of hymns drift through the air. And, of course, you get to purchase komboskini for yourself and every one you know (more about the kombo later).
When I went to Greece, I went to monasteries like CRAZY. I LOVED it, no joke. By the end of the trip I wanted to be a nun and live in a convent in the mountains. Granted I was 10 and on vacation with my grandparents. Regardless, it is hard not to fall in love with a place so peaceful and pretty.
I think another big part of it is that they are legit constantly hymning over at those monasteries. I’ve never been to a church other than a Greek-Orthodox one, but let me tell you, hymns are beautiful, especially in Greek (and even more so when you are actually in Greece).
I really do think that it was the singing that sucked me in. Plus it is really cool to go and see the relics that these monasteries have. There are bones, miscellaneous body parts, sometimes even the whole body of saints! It’s like a hands on historical and religious lesson in one!
