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Q&A with Taner Akçam on Obama's visit...
Ilove this guy!
Question 1) Can you evaluate the statements that were made by Obama regarding the subject of genocide during his visit to Turkey? What kind of message do you believe he was trying to give...
Q&A with Taner Akçam on Obama's visit to Turkey and if Obama will use the word genocide on April 24th.
Obama gave a very clear and singular message. What he said was this: You possess the strength to play a very important role in the region and the world; I want you to play that role and support you but you must confront your history. Theres nothing shameful in doing that, in fact its a good thing and it will bring you to a good place. Look at me, I became the president of a country which engaged in slavery and where people like me couldnt even vote.
Confront your own history, become more democratic and youll see that it will bring you to a good place. This is absolutely necessary in order for you to fulfill the duty thats been placed upon you in the region and the world. Otherwise you wont be able to fulfill that role. If you think you can continue to treat frank discussions of history within a framework of crime and punishment, if you continue to treat the denial of historical truth and injustices as some kind of special talent and believe youre going to play this big role in the region and the world, well Im here to tell you. It aint happening...........
Question 1) Can you evaluate the statements that were made by Obama regarding the subject of genocide during his visit to Turkey? What kind of message do you believe he was trying to give...
Q&A with Taner Akçam on Obama's visit to Turkey and if Obama will use the word genocide on April 24th.
Obama gave a very clear and singular message. What he said was this: You possess the strength to play a very important role in the region and the world; I want you to play that role and support you but you must confront your history. Theres nothing shameful in doing that, in fact its a good thing and it will bring you to a good place. Look at me, I became the president of a country which engaged in slavery and where people like me couldnt even vote.
Confront your own history, become more democratic and youll see that it will bring you to a good place. This is absolutely necessary in order for you to fulfill the duty thats been placed upon you in the region and the world. Otherwise you wont be able to fulfill that role. If you think you can continue to treat frank discussions of history within a framework of crime and punishment, if you continue to treat the denial of historical truth and injustices as some kind of special talent and believe youre going to play this big role in the region and the world, well Im here to tell you. It aint happening...........
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