Three Turks... and 2015

Yesterday I attended a conference called "Three Turkish Voices on the Ottoman Armenians", organized by the UCLA Armenian Educational Foundation Chair. Three professors -- Taner Akcam (Univ. of Minnesota) who spoke about his new assessment of Ottoman documents, Elif Shafak (Univ. of Arizona) who spoke about Memory and Literature, and Fatma Muge Gocek (Univ. of Michigan) who spoke about the recent Istanbul conference on Ottoman Armenians.

My friend and I got there somewhat early (well-for Armenians...hahaha), and as it neared 2pm, the hall was PACKED! The first speaker began his presentation, as people sat all over the hall (a large science classroom), sitting on the stairs, behind the speaker on the podium, and even blocking all the doors. (And apparently, there were still a few hundred people outside). --Later they opened the hall next door and people were able to sit there and listen to the speakers.

Each presenter spoke about their research and their ideas. (As a disclaimer - they all said WAY more than I will be writing about - but I'm just putting down SOME of the stuff that stuck out in my head).

Taner Akcam presented his assessment of Ottoman documents which "prove" that a systematic Genocide did indeed take place, and that Armenian deportees were treated quite differently. He presented a part of the Young Turks' plan to re-shuffle the entire empire.... giving priority to Muslims. He spoke about how FAST the Armenian villages were repopulated after the Armenians were deported (often times in about a week or so), by bringing in Kurds who had to have already been well on their way. He pointed out how detailed and specific these plans were, and how carefully they were carried out. For example, he mentioned that each repopulated area should not have more than 5-10% of the same ethnic group (i.e. kurds, Armenians, etc.) - and the main idea behind that was so that assimilation could take place much faster. He spoke of documents which prove the plans of taking Armenian girls, marrying them to muslim men, and what the last speaker said as a sociologist proved this - because she said recently, many turks have found out that their grandmothers were in fact Armenian.

Elif Shafak spoke about memory and the important of oral tradition - as well as literature. She said that she focused on Armenian female writer, Zabel Yesayan. She pointed out the transition of Zabel's writing. Zabel belonged to an upper class family in Istanbul, and had studied in Europe and had all these independent ideas. After the 1909 Adana massacres, she was sent by the Patriarch to report what was left in Adana. Prof. Shafak points out the change in Zabel, after she goes to Adana and sees the horrific sights, but stresses that even then Zabel believed that Armenians and Turks could live together. Later, after escaping the Genocide and living in Baku, Zabel realizes that what she believed earlier was not possible. She changes from this liberal, independent woman, to someone who identifies and belongs with the collective - Armenians. Prof. Shafak also talks about oral history, and how an 18 year old Armenian today has a CLEAR connection with history, but for an 18 year old Turk, history is abstract... it is not as REAL as it is for the Armenian. She spoke about how literature shapes the identities of people - and brought the example of a famous Turkish writer (didn't catch his name) who would write stories about these fictional nationalistic characters - and the basis of the stories are to promote nationalistic ideals in readers. The professor also asks herself about the reactions (or non-actions) of the Turkish intellectuals living in Turkey, during the time that all the Armenian intellectuals were taken away and killed.

Fatma Muge Gocek spoke about the recent Istanbul Conference on Ottoman Armenians. She told the story of how the conference was to take place on another occasion, but was canceled. She spoke of her personal experience as a Turkish scholar, being attacked by journalists in her own country. Also, how her parents' friends reacted to her speak on "behalf" of Armenians. She had even been approached by Turkish journalists, asking her how much she gets paid from Armenian diasporans for telling all these lies. (and she was laughing - saying, please we should let her know which account we are putting all this money in.. :)

All the speakers were very interesting, and it was encouraging to hear Turkish scholars speaking openly and frankly about the Armenian Genocide. I did notice a few things and have a few thoughts...

a) The second speaker, Elif Shafak, didn't say the word "genocide" once! I'm not saying she meant to do that, but it's just something little that I noticed.
b) Both Taner Akcam and Fatma Muge Gocek spoke about how they believe the Genocide will be recognized by the Turkish government by 2015 (coincidence that it's 100 years after the Genocide, or the year they expect to enter the EU??).
c) Even though I'm ---well there are no words to the feeling -- that I got to see (and will see) an independent Armenia AND the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in my lifetime... I can't help to think about what recognition will bring for our people - not only in the diaspora but in Armenia as well. How will the government of Armenia lead the nation and its people abroad, during this VERY critical time??? I also wonder about the next Armenian elections. Those are going to be the leaders who will rule at the time of recognition....what will be their opinions? what will be their actions?
d) Also, a question was asked to the speakers about reparations and our lands.... but there was no time for them to answer. It made ME think about it. Will we be given what is rightfully ours? Will other Armenians demand reparations and lands?
e) Fatma Muge Gocek, said at the end of her presentation that she could only wish that in the future... in 2015, when the Genocide is recognized, Armenians and Turks could finally live together in a democratic Turkish nation. Is that REALLY possible? And regardless of whether it's possible or not... are we willing to do that?

There are sooooo many questions and thoughts. But, somehow I think the steps are being taken in the right direction. I believe it is up to us, and especially the ruling Armenian government to decide where those steps should be headed. So much more to say.... not enough time to blog them all :)

For now...
TSUH! :)
p.s. - since the comments are turned off, if you'd like to comment, you can email me at shooshigavakian@hotmail.com :)