Thought...
Does being a nationalist make you a fascist? For those who do not know Turkey, it might.
Does being patriotic make you fascist? No, but it might make you a nationalist. For those who do not know America, it might.
Describing the degree of nationalism and patriotism may then qualify as fascism - "extreme".
It is all too easy to categorise people according to our own perceptions and politics, especially when it suits our own cause.
I hate definitions in all their forms although I am forced to apply them because I work in the media. Television does not allow you time to explain, so labels and adjectives are used to simplify the message. But then it becomes distorted, squeezed between media organisations, but what can one do. You look forward to those opportunities when for a fleating moment you might speak on the behalf of someone who doesn't have a voice, and that millions of people might hear it.
Facts speak for themselves, don't they?
Turkey is a multi-layered society, in which labels get distorted. These labels divide and conquer, they do not harmonise or even get close to the root of the problem.
Many Turks choose a lifestyle when they choose an ideology - it is not always a political statement. It can be the difference between getting a regular salary, or not, or working in a building that has a bar in its basement or not - very simple things.
Turks are tolerant, which is sometimes a curse, but at the same time it can be a blessing. Turkey is a nation that was built from a crumbling empire. It was saved from the invaders. Its identity is built on this notion.
It was built on its own defense, when are we going to stop giving "it" such a hard time, and allow it time to breathe and catch up to where it needs to be. It has the ability, it has the academics, yes, there is no political will, this is sure. But it has a wealth of cultures, it is still for me a mini-empire where multitudes of cultures intermingle as one.
I have fascinating coversations with friends about their origins, which are hardly ever Turk by ethnicity. What is Turk anyway?
I'm aware of its problems, but I personally feel after many years here that it should be able to deal with these problems by itself. Why do we come here thinking we can change it. The debate has been unleashed, there really is no way back. But it needs to happen on its own terms.
No wonder Turkey is still defending itself. Separate the politics from the people, then and only then, will you really ever see the beauty of the place, and only then will you be able to participate in the internal debate. The external one is fueling the nationalism that killed a man because of what he believed. May your soul be at peace dear Hrant Dink.
For photos of Newroz see here - copy and paste the link: http://www.worldpicturenews.com/web/ShowLightbox.aspx?driverid=378687
Video report to be published.
1 comment:
I really like this blog. I dont know, if you read something from Ziya Gökalp (born in Diyarbakir and "sent" there).
I took a class about genesis of turkish nationalism. My Teacher said he was the only real turkish ideologist. We read the introduction of "Türkcülügün Esaslari". It came to my mind, reading your thoughts, for me there are some interesting connections. I think he basically says "turkcülük" comes from nurture...language etc. and not from race. In Germany at the same time (1923), sadly people werent capable of seeing so.
My favourite quote:
"Bunlari cocuklugumuzda hangi cemiyetten almissak, daima o cemiyette yasamak isteriz.
Baska bir cemiyetin icinde daha büyük bir refahla yasamamiz mümkin iken, cemiyetimiz icindeki fakri ona tercih ederiz."
I would say cute, if I wasnt trying to become an anthropologist...
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