Working with Turks

[HyeJinx1984]

Anyone remember that scene in the movie "Ararat" where the Turkish actor says to the Armenian guy something along the lines of: "Look the genocide was a long time ago. I had nothing to do with it, my family had nothing to do with it. We're both living in another country now, just get over it".

I'm sure that there are Turks who believe that the genocide happened and are ashamed that their people would do something like that, but the majority probably just don't care because they haven't been taught anything about it, hell a majority of Armenians these days don't even care.

True, but even Casey Jones' attitude in that movie wasn't the right one in my opinion. The thing that sets our genocide apart from the holocaust is that they have a sense of closure. Yes, it happened, the government responsible admited it apologized and there have been, at least some, reperations rewarded and a sense of "moving on." We don't have that, we're a wounded people still looking for closure. The main reason I'm the most worried is because that as time goes on and on people will know less an dless about the Genocide's occurance until finally people forget. By making it official it finally puts the issue to rest but it will always have a place in the history books and will be a valid claim recognized by the people who commited it, and that is very very important. I'm more willing then anyone to forgive and move on, but we can't until we've been given the politcal "Sorry guys."

Also, thinking about the emotions I was dealing with when working with these particular turks was not one of Anger and Rage, but more Sadness and Frustration... and I think that's a subtle but important difference. In my humble opinion, Armenians aren't so much angry as we are sad and hurt... which in turn, could lead to anger and rage. When I looked at the four of them, I didn't want to go start a fight... instead I just wanted to show the pain that I was still feeling from a fight I wasn't even inolved in. But like I said before, a part of me was also waiting to snap.

Hmm.. that was a lot of contradictions and illogalness in one paragraph... that's what happens when you get emotional I guess.

[SagGal]

I remember once I bought something at a kiosk, and after making the purchase, I learned that the lady who sold it to me (the owner, I assume) was a Turk. I felt so guilty. I threw away whatever it was that I bought.

Yep. Just like not buying anything that's made in Turkey.

[anileve]

A very interesting thread HyeJinx. I am too tired to contribute anything, but I want to express one thing. Crimson you are the most self-composed, rational and open minded man of this forum. I admire your outlook on things. Now if you could just tone down your Matrix philosophy you'd be set.

[leo007]

True, but even Casey Jones' attitude in that movie wasn't the right one in my opinion. The thing that sets our genocide apart from the holocaust is that they have a sense of closure. Yes, it happened, the government responsible admited it apologized and there have been, at least some, reperations rewarded and a sense of "moving on." We don't have that, we're a wounded people still looking for closure. The main reason I'm the most worried is because that as time goes on and on people will know less an dless about the Genocide's occurance until finally people forget. By making it official it finally puts the issue to rest but it will always have a place in the history books and will be a valid claim recognized by the people who commited it, and that is very very important. I'm more willing then anyone to forgive and move on, but we can't until we've been given the politcal "Sorry guys."

Don't get me wrong, I didn't agree with that quote from the movie.

[xBaron Dants]

About not buying Turkish products....it annoys me when people say "oo, what an idiot! He doesn't buy turkish products because of the genocide that happened 90 years ago! As if that has anything to do with it".

Now, for all those who say that, I will just point out that to this very day, Turkey has imposed an economic embargo on Armenia. Why we should support that country's economy is beyond me.

[xBaron Dants]

Oh, and Armenia's "allegations of genocide" are one of the reasons for that blockade...

[fIReBuRntInHeLL]

I second to Baron's comment.

[Anonymouse]

I do not want to work with any Turkey or anyone from this thread, that's for sure.

[nairi]

About not buying Turkish products....it annoys me when people say "oo, what an idiot! He doesn't buy turkish products because of the genocide that happened 90 years ago! As if that has anything to do with it".

Now, for all those who say that, I will just point out that to this very day, Turkey has imposed an economic embargo on Armenia. Why we should support that country's economy is beyond me.

It's funny you say that since many Armenians from Armenia travel daily to Turkey to buy products that they can't buy at home. Not to mention Armenians living in Turkey. I don't care. The embargo has nothing to do with Armenia's economic, political and social retardedness.

As for befriending a Turk: only one who has recognized the Armenian genocide etc. I can't live in a lie where I have to pretend we don't share a history, language, culture.

As for Armenian-hating Turks. I invite you to visit Holland, The Hague, Rotterdam or Amsterdam for a day. How many Turks have I met who walked away from me with disdain once they found out I was Ermeni? How many more treated me differently? And how many simply deny the genocide, even as they are contradicting themselves? It's ironical that on some Turkish forums even those Turks who recognize the Armenian genocide in private, question it in public..

[xBaron Dants]

It's funny you say that since many Armenians from Armenia travel daily to Turkey to buy products that they can't buy at home. Not to mention Armenians living in Turkey. I don't care. The embargo has nothing to do with Armenia's economic, political and social retardedness.

As for befriending a Turk: only one who has recognized the Armenian genocide etc. I can't live in a lie where I have to pretend we don't share a history, language, culture.

As for Armenian-hating Turks. I invite you to visit Holland, The Hague, Rotterdam or Amsterdam for a day. How many Turks have I met who walked away from me with disdain once they found out I was Ermeni? How many more treated me differently? And how many simply deny the genocide, even as they are contradicting themselves? It's ironical that on some Turkish forums even those Turks who recognize the Armenian genocide in private, question it in public..

I didn't mention anything about political or social problems being caused by Turkey. If you tell me that a blockade imposed by your neighbour closest to the European market will not affect your economy, I invite you to take any intro to economy course you can find. The fact that Armenians from Armenia still get products from Turkey is just proof that we'd be better off without an embargo. And our case in the diaspora is different. It's not any more affordable or convenient for us to buy turkish products.


Oh, and we don't share a language.