Bye, Bye Turkcell

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkpv4m_turkcell-ozturkcell-afrika_shortfilms

Dear Turkcell,

Thank you for furthering the cause of ignorance in Türkiye with the airing of your ÖzTurkcell commercial which depicts Turkish people sitting in huge pots in Africa while waiting to be served up for dinner to a group of savage Africans. This was just the image that Türkiye needed at this time as they pursue humanistic efforts in Somalia. In fact, it may have been possible to see the story about Turkish aid in Somalia on the news and then be brought back down to reality with your genius commercial. Good for you, Turkcell! Job well done!

Not only have you succeeded in perpetuating negative stereotypes, you have also made it very difficult for me to watch Turkish television with the fear that I may be insulted over and over by these images. I thank you because I needed to read more, anyway. This commercial has made it a bit more difficult for me to use public transportation and frequent shopping areas and restaurants, too, since children who are already afraid of my dark skin now have confirmation from you that I am waiting for the proper moment to pounce on them and make them my afternoon snack. I needed to walk more, anyway and the money I'll save from not eating out and shopping will come in handy, I’m sure. I also want to thank you for illumining students and teachers who come from African nations, Europe, America and other foreign places to educate and be educated in Türkiye. We were all beginning to suffer from a false dream of security and acceptance from which we needed to be violently awakened. In this vein, I do, indeed, have peace of mind or “kafası rahat,” as you say. What about the home-grown people with African roots, the Afrika Kökenli Türkler? I cannot speak for them but I’m sure that they must appreciate you, too. I like how your commercial seems to indicate a wild abandon and dismissal of the UNESCO 2010 International Year of Rapprochement, which aimed to do something crazy like, integrate “the principles of dialogue and mutual knowledge…in hope of correcting flawed cultural representations, values and stereotypes.” You’re right, Turkcell, that is so last year!! (http://www.unesco.org/culture/pdf/2010/2010_leaflet_en) Anyway, the European Union named Istanbul the European Capital of Culture in 2010, why do you need to pander to UNESCO? I get it, really!

With all of this said, Turkcell, I must say that I have to part company with you. Yes, this is a “Dear John,” or “Dear Turkcell” letter. With all of your success in helping me to read more, walk more, save money and not live in a fantasy of acceptance, I still have this sneaking suspicion that we are growing apart. I know, it’s me, not you. I could say, I want to concentrate on my career, as a proponent of tolerance but that seems a bit too cliche. Yes, I know, you quite enjoy cliche but I’m afraid, it’s over. I need to explore other options, other companies which may not need to exploit people to sell services. Of course, I know you’ll find somebody new to mock but for now, my dear, sweet Turkcell, we’re through.

Warmest regards,

Aundreta Conner Farris (ex-subscriber)

P.S.

Discontinuing the commercial is not enough. You need to publicly apologize. If not to the people of African descent who happily reside in Türkiye, then to the tolerant Turkish people whom you have misrepresented with this offensive commercial and the Afrika Kökenli Türkler with whom you share nationality. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.

P.S.S.

http://www.stevebaric.ws/index.php/2011/09/03/response-to-zaman-zaman-bye-bye-turkcell/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=response-to-zaman-zaman-bye-bye-turkcell

Afro-Turk Jazz Singer Melis Sokman

While in Ankara for my orientation, I had the pleasure of meeting the famous Turkish jazz singer, Melis Sokman.  As a lover of jazz, it would seem that meeting a famous jazz singer in Turkey would be enough but meeting Melis Sokman was special for more than one reason.  Melis happens to be an Afro-Turk.  As an African American it should not be a surprise that such an encounter would be of particular importance to me.  I have been curious about the Afro-Turkish community since I learned of their existence and meeting Melis has served to add kindling to this burning curiosity.  I am hoping that this meeting will turn into a project that will enable me to share information about the Afro-Turks with people at home.  I am particularly interested in how the legacy of slavery has affected the Afro-Turks differently than it has affected the descendants of the Atlantic slave trade.  Most of the Turkish people that I speak with about the slave trade of the Ottoman Empire emphasize that the brand of slavery that existed in the West is markedly different from the slavery that existed here.  Given the differences, however, how have the Afro-Turks fared in Turkey?  

I am planning to see Melis this week when she performs in Ankara.