The other day a former Turkish classmate* commented on one of Steban’s facebook photos. The comment came as a surprise and disappointment, as well as bothered me enough to dedicate an entire post to it. This person has made comments in the past that have questioned both the validity of my work as well as how I have spent the last year here in Turkey. Normally I pay little attention to these comments because I have given the person the benefit of the doubt-she is being facetious and likely unaware of ‘what’ dissertation research is and how one goes about conducting it, specifically someone in my field. In any case, to the aforementioned slight.
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In case you are unable to see, the comment reads “So this is how you’re protesting? Nice work.” It is on a photo of myself and two colleagues in Iznik, studying a map. In addition to the obvious tagged date of January 23, a skilled observer would also see that we are all wearing heavy coats-clearly this photo was taken months earlier, in the winter. It is spring now.
It is not just her obliviousness that annoys, but the judgmental tone of her comment. Was she being flippant? Or is this another underhanded assessment of my actions. In her opinion, I am not doing enough to support those in Gezi Park and across Turkey who are protesting an increasingly authoritarian government and abuse of power and human rights.
Here’s the rub. I live in Turkey. I live in Istanbul. I live in very close proximity to Taksim Square and Gezi Park. From our home you need only to cut through a few back streets to arrive at Istiklal Caddesi. These are all locations of protests as well as police brutality, enacted with the help of tear gas and water cannons (and more). I was in Antalya when protests broke out there. And I was in Ankara when police attacks on protestors was at its height. I smelled the remnants of tear gas in the metro and because I was staying so close to both of the protest locations, I had to plan routes accordingly, as well as maintain a curfew for fear of being caught in a cloud of gas, or being beaten by police for merely walking. I have a gas mask and go out with a scarf.
I have seen first-hand the bruises of people hit by tear gas canisters or a police baton. I have sat with them as they listen to live feeds and updates. I have listened to their stories and the reasons why they are doing what they do. They have asked me to spread the word and create awareness with my friends outside of Turkey.
But I suppose this is not enough. Perhaps my ‘friend’ wanted to see photos of me marching. Or better yet, I should have a bruise. If I had my eye shot out by a tear gas canister I’m sure that would have definitely legitimized my actions and the role I have tried to play in these events.
It is certainly fine for one to talk about politics and social justice. It is acceptable for one to go to a conference where you discuss issues related to these topics (as my ‘friend’ did). But one should not believe that because they can talk about political and social activism, or meet ‘important’ people at conferences, that they are an activist and a particularly knowledgable one at that. And one should most definitely not judge someone else’s efforts (especially on photos taken five months earlier, at a different time and place).
This is not a contest. Move to Turkey. Live here. Live in any other place in the world that is currently politically unstable, away from the comfort of your home, your government and your democracy-for an extended period of time. You can name drop and discuss past and current events all you like, but until you experience it for yourself, you are better off refraining from making such naive and insulting criticisms.
*First, I do commend and appreciate this person’s efforts in spreading the word of events in Turkey via Facebook. I did not intend this to be an attack on her character but I did feel compelled to address the slight on mine. On a final note, the day the photo in question was taken she was a guest in our home, in Istanbul.
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