In a society that has the desperate urge to voice their opinion, those few individuals who share with us credible discourse that goes against the norm are often ignored or misunderstood. This is precisely the case with Stepan Partamian, an important figure in the Armenian community, whose teachings and criticisms of Armenian culture is often misunderstood by the general public. Stepan Partamian has authored numerous books and hosts a television show in which he expresses his views with his audience, but his controversial approach in being brutally honest often makes him seem like a radical. In addition, his physical appearance - a bald head with a long, disheveled beard - make him less likable in the eyes of his conservative audience. It's no wonder, then, that because image plays a crucial role in our society, an individual with such a physical appearance and with "radical" views - one that is outside the norm and not expected in Armenian culture - will be misunderstood.
Stepan Partamian is a figure unlike other public intellectuals; thus, in considering him as one, the term itself should be analyzed. In The Decline of the Public Intellectual, Stephen Mack defines the function of public intellectuals in society.
“So, is there any way of conceptualizing something called the public intellectual that is consistent with democratic values? Of course there is, but it needs to begin with a shift from “categories and class” to “function.” That is, our notions of the public intellectual need to focus less on who or what a public intellectual is—and by extension, the qualifications for getting and keeping the title. Instead, we need to be more concerned with the work public intellectuals must do, irrespective of who happens to be doing it.”
In this regard, the function of the public intellectual is of more importance rather than their qualifications. This suggests that an individual’s work reveals if he or she is deserving of such a title. Partamian, despite being a prominent figure in the Armenian community, is less known to the general public. Partamian, who is a graduate of film and television from California State University, Northridge, may seem unfit to be considered a “public intellectual” especially in comparison to other individuals such as Noam Chomsky. Partamian - unlike other men and women who would be considered public intellectuals - doesn't do much of his work in an academic setting. Instead, he boldly addresses the public in front of television cameras on his television shows. The question, then, is what makes Stepan Partamian a public intellectual.
In his career, however, Stepan Partamian has been heavily involved in spreading cultural awareness, emphasizing the importance of moral values. In addition to having founded the Armenian Arts Funder, an organization that promotes artistic excellence in various disciplines, he has authored several books, including, Yes, We Have and Ayo, Menk Enk, which discuss contributions made by Armenians around the world. Partamian is also working on a larger project, known as Gifts to the World: A Compendium of Armenian Contributions to Humanity, which is due for release in April 2015, on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Stepan Partamian has shaped public discourse with his broadcasts and commentaries. Partamian's intention has been to educate the Armenian community and raise awareness of their own culture. This primarily comes from his resentful feelings toward the community itself; he feels that as a collective group, the Armenian community is ignorant and they refuse to educate themselves with important cultural issues. In particular, because Armenia was the first Christian nation, many Armenians feel that it is the obligation of every Armenian to believe in God. These people believe that in order to be a "good" Armenian, they must consider themselves Christians. Stepan Partamian, however, points out that these same people are hypocrites; they themselves don't go to church or read the bible, but instead wear crosses as a symbol of their Christianity. Stepan Partamian suggests that our ignorance refrains us from being educated and that we are naturally close-minded individuals who follow tradition with no reason.
In his article, How to be a public intellectual, Christopher Hitchens claims that the title “public intellectual” is one that must be earned from others. In other words, a person is not a public intellectual simply by declaring themselves as such. The public intellectual must be a title that others bestow upon an individual. In his article, he defines the term itself.
“What, then, are the uses of the term “public intellectual”? It assists us in defining someone who makes his or her living through the battle of ideas. It often helps us to learn something about a foreign culture or state…”
Stepan Partamian, regardless of his controversial opinions, and despite the fact that many people from the Armenian community might not consider him a public intellectual, is a person who bases his beliefs on his ideas. In his fight to educate the Armenian community, his discourse sheds light on the culture itself.
Stephen Mack continues outlining the tasks of a public intellectual in his article.
“Put more prosaically, public intellectuals perform an important social function...
A public intellectual is not a paid publicist, not a spinner, not in the pocket of a narrowly defined purpose. It is, of course the temptation, another one, of the public intellectual to cozy up to that which he or she should be evaluating critically. I think perhaps, too many White House dinners can blunt the edge of criticism…
So the public intellectual needs, it seems to me, to puncture the myth-makers of any era, including his own, whether it's those who promise that utopia is just around the corner if we see the total victory of free markets worldwide, or communism worldwide or positive genetic enhancement worldwide, or mouse-maneuvering democracy worldwide, or any other run-amok enthusiasm. Public intellectuals, much of the time at least, should be party poopers."
Stepan Partamian, more so than any other public intellectual in today's society, can be labeled a "party pooper." In a time of celebration, such as Christmas, his broadcasts focus on our flaws and shortcomings. The general public often considers him as being nihilistic in this sense, considering his criticism toward our culture. Partamian, however, resorts to such controversial extremes to grab the attention of his viewers - reigning in on their parades and celebrations to point out their flaws. Partamian is instead trying to highlight the importance of culture, by showing us our flaws. It’s because of this criticism that positions himself as a public intellectual.
Stephen Mack adds:
“…if intellectuals are in a better position to perform that function it’s not because they are uniquely blessed with wisdom—and it’s certainly not because they are uniquely equipped to wield social or political power. It is only because learning the processes of criticism and practicing them with some regularity are requisites for intellectual employment. It’s what we do at our day jobs.”
In The Wicked Paradox: The Cleric as Public Intellectual, Stephen Mack discusses religious intellectuals and emphasizes the role of public intellectuals.
“Presidents, poets—and public intellectuals--have invoked his words to remind Americans of something fundamental about themselves: that they are a people defined not by race, not by ethnicity, but by moral purpose.”
The essence of Stepan Partamian’s discourse is one based on such moral purpose. The viewpoints he sets forth in his writings and broadcasts are based on his criticism of the Armenian people, but are concerned with ethical values. In broadcasts, Amote’ (It’s Shameful) and Bari Luys (Good Morning), he scrutinizes cultural values from an ethical perspective. In specific, he questions why the Armenian community is more proud that Kim Kardashian is an Armenian rather than other noteworthy figures in society. In his closing statements, he uses the phrase Bari Luys (Good Morning), as if he has just “enlightened” his audience. Partamian, in his broadcasts and his writings, is enlightening and educating his audience, and poses questions about our culture and why we are more concerned with insignificant issues. This shows us that his beliefs hail from a set of values.
In discussing the public intellectual’s work, Stephen Mack notes, “the measure of public intellectual work is not whether the people are listening, but whether they’re hearing things worth talking about.” Stepan Partamian is blunt; he points out what is wrong with our culture and points out our ignorance. The simple fact is that people don’t want to be told they are ignorant. Stepan Partamian believes that education is knowledge and knowledge is power. This is all done in benefit of educating ourselves.
The Armenian community believes he taints our image, disregarding his true intentions. In contrast, he is arguably more proud of his heritage than any other Armenian; so proud, in fact, that he wants to conserve our culture.
Stepan Partamian knows that our culture is consumed with television and therefore uses the medium to share his viewpoints. It's clear, then, that whether or not his audience is listening or if they agree with him, the public intellectual should be discussing issues that are of significance. In some instances, Partamian's words fall on deaf ears, but his discourse criticizes important issues. The people who criticize him buy his books, attend his lectures, and tune into his broadcasts, and despite the fact that they consider him controversial, they are still aware the issues he raises are significant to their culture. Stepan Partamian is misunderstood, without doubt, and his audience deems him controversial, but they will also agree that they’re hearing things worth talking about.
