Antisemitism in the Turkish Media

[Anonymouse]

I don't think anyone of us does

Then why do you continue to respond?

[nairi]

Why not? Still doesn't mean I take them seriously.

[TUR-Friend]

There you go, it's been only a couple of minutes and already one more in the bucket.

[winoman]

Didn't know where to put this - but thought it interesting...

Aziz Nesin - Memoirs of an Exile:

In 1933 when the surname law was passed, which directed every Turk to select a last name, people’s secret feelings of inferiority surfaced: Some of the worlds stingiest became known as Eliachik (Openhanded) the greatest cowards named themselves Yurekli (Stouthearted) and many of the laziest took the name Chakishkan (Industrious). One of our teachers chose the surname of Cheviker (Dexterous) when he could barely sign his name to a letter. The rampant racism present caused people with mixed blood to grab for surnames which signified they were Turks.

Invariably I came last in any kind of scramble; I was no different in this one for nice surnames. No surname that I could take pride in, so I assumed the name of Nesin (What-are-you?).



Book Description
The sad and humorous story, told by the famous Turkish satirist, of his exile in Bursa after release from jail for writing a brochure critical of his government’s acceptance of U.S. aid. Nesin arrives in Bursa, a resort town famous for its hot springs, and patriotically marches the length of Main Street between his two gendarme guards. He describes without omission, confesses in detail, his hilarious and heart-rending experiences during his forced exile.