The language of reconciliation

Sunday, November 6, 2005

Opinion by Elif ŞAFAK

  From time to time it happens. Amid mistrust, temper, and anger, there comes a letter that moves me deeply -- a letter written in the language of reconciliation. Last week I published some selected samples of letters of hatred, coming mostly from Turks outside Turkey. This week I want to share some letters of hope, coming mostly from Armenians everywhere:

  I.

  Dear Elif,

  I read your article with tears in my eyes. I am a 54-year-old from Toronto who was raised in Lebanon only to hate Turks. In the last 10 years that has changed slowly as I started meeting co-workers from Turkey. In fact, I get a very warm feeling when I meet fellow Turks now here in Toronto or in Ottawa. I go with them to Turkish restaurants to eat doner and also to discuss the Armenian genocide. A few months ago, one of my Turkish friends in Ottawa told me, "It is too heavy for us to digest the word genocide..." I agree with him. In fact, Armenians have a duty to help fellow Turks avoid embarrassment and pass from this chasm with dignity and respect.

  This is a journey that we both, Turks and Armenians, have to go through together to build a better future for our children. I truly believe that we can achieve friendship with honesty and truth. God bless you, "Watan dash." Technically, I am a Turkish citizen since both my grandparents are from Adana. Technically, you are my fellow country person.

  II.

  I read your recent article in which you clearly identify the social and political ramifications of the Armenian genocide as it is getting slowly introduced/digested/processed by Turkish society today. I admire your clear-headedness, capacity to sift through such a complex issue and your fairness. Please keep it up. If I can be of any help, please let me know.

  I am Turkish-born Armenian. I still keep my Turkish citizenship. I love Turkey. In an odd way I consider Turkey as my homeland, not Armenia. I have more in common with my Turkish classmates from what was formerly the American College for Girls in Arnavutkoy. The bond that we share is very strong. Yet it wasn t until the very recent year that my Turkish friends and I were able to openly discuss the Armenian genocide. They are intellectually enlightened people but they do not have all the information at their fingertips.

  I believe that credible Turkish scholars should translate most of the existing pivotal books on this subject into Turkish. If it is in the language of the "people" then it will be read and digested.

  III. I send you the deepest thanks for viewing things as objectively as you have and also for possessing the boldness to make your views public. That principle of objectivity and fact-based analysis on which you obviously place such great importance has resulted in that article that, to me, is certainly one of the most positive and hope-inducing collection of words I have read in a while. I just might yet have cause to rise from my cynicism on this matter.

  We obviously agree on one other important thing and that is that the true form of nationalism contains the potential to criticize aspects of one s own nation. I also would like to take up a few words now, since I have decided already to write this letter, to apologize on behalf of the Armenians for the terrorism that had been inflicted upon Turkish citizens throughout the years. My apology may seem relatively insignificant but I do feel compelled to express to you that the majority of Armenians does not consider such actions proper conduct and I, along with that significant majority, have shown the greatest interest in the position of non-violence in the quest for resolution.

  *** Such are the letters of reconciliation -- heartwarming, thought provoking, affecting. What intrigues me most is the enormous difference between them and the letters of hatred. The situation today is highly polarized. It is as if there exist two utterly different languages. When a Turkish intellectual openly recognizes the atrocities committed during 1915, many Armenians address her/him with the language of camaraderie and gratitude. In a similar position, however, numerous Turks --especially those living abroad -- address her/him with the language of wrath. Between the language of gratitude and the language of wrath, non-nationalist Turkish intellectuals stand wondering if there can ever be a bridge of words between opposite coasts.

  Can the language of wrath and the language of gratitude ever manage to speak to one another?