The language of hate

Sunday, October 30, 2005

I have been testing a hypothesis for a long time, which is that Turks living abroad are more reactionary, conservative and closed to criticism than those living in Turkey. Turkey is changing at an incredible pace, but Turks living abroad change very slowly

  I have been testing a hypothesis for a long time, which is that Turks living abroad are more reactionary, conservative and closed to criticism than those living in Turkey.

  Turkey is changing at an incredible pace, but Turks living abroad change very slowly. It can even be said that they and their identities remain unchanged. This is true especially for those living in the United States. I am receiving a multitude of e-mails about my opinions and articles on the “Armenian issue.” There are a lot who agree with me entirely, but there are also those who don t agree at all. All are quite civilized and free in their opinions. However, I don t know why, but the Turks in the United States are either in full agreement with me and send letters full of praise or they are totally opposed and send letters full of insult. It appears there is no middle ground. I just would like to cite a few passages from these letters without mentioning any names. I will first cite a few that I describe as “the language of hostility and hate.” Next week, I will give a few examples of letters I describe as the “language of growing reconciliation.” I just want to portray the huge gap between the language, content, purpose and presentation between the two.

  Those who speak the language of hostility and hate accuse me of “selling out the country” and “carrying Armenian, not Turkish, genes." (Their words are very rude.) If you criticize, you are not “one of us.” The following are just a few examples.

Selling out the country:

  “Don t forget those who praise you for selling out your country today will turn their back on you tomorrow. At one time, the Taliban walked the halls of the White House and met the president, because they were treading along a path approved. Later, bombs rained on their heads. Nothing may rain on your head because you live in the United States, but one cannot sell out one s country until the end. The reason why I am writing you this is because you hurt the conscience of many Turks and I wanted to ask you if it was worth it.”

Being ungrateful to the state:

  “I am worried about the possibility of me being as heedless as you are. Please don t forget the fact that our glorious state is providing exceptional environments for our diplomats and families despite its limited capabilities, expecting them to represent the country and the flag in the best possible way. The opportunities provided by this country and the successful education you received at your diplomat mother s expense seems to have provided you with a good future. Please tell me how many people get the opportunity to get born in Strasbourg and go to secondary school in Madrid. How many get the opportunity to do a bachelor s degree and a doctorate at the Middle East Technical University Department of International Relations?”

Thank God you are not a diplomat:

  "Your educational profile shows you could have chosen your mother s profession, but I have nothing against you deciding to become a novelist. Considering the way you interpret Turkey s sensitivities and issues that are constantly raised by outside forces with your intellect, I can say it was very good for the country that you decided against becoming a diplomat."

On being traitorous and deluded:

  “This country is not one that can be sold out that easily. It is strong and rooted enough to survive through the ages. It has no problem with its history, unlike what you are trying to say. Those who have a problem with their history, assess it anyway. Please Ms. Şafak, don t waste your intellect, youth and energy, even if you are a convert, on such matters. Don t upset us. Don t upset Mother Anatolia.”

Carrying Armenian genes:

  “Why don t you just admit you are an Armenian, so that you don t annoy us anymore. Your mother was a diplomat, but failed in bringing you up. She failed to instill patriotism in you. You have ‘sold out just like the others. You work harder than Armenians. You might even have some Armenian blood in you. Otherwise, you would not be doing such nonsense.”

Accusations about warmth towards Christian blood:

  “Even if you have Turkish blood, your heart is warm to Christian blood. Turks never hurt Armenians. Just the opposite. Armenians stabbed Turks in the back. You read the history wrong. Shame on you for supporting Armenians as a Turk!”

Accusations about insulting forefathers:

  “Would you still have accused our grandfathers of murdering Armenians if you knew my grandfather, who I lost three years ago. He spent eight months in the mountains, leaving my grandmother alone back at the village, to fight the Armenian gangs. How can you call my grandfather a murderer?”

  This is the language of hate.

  Next week: The language of reconciliation