The many faces in Turkey

Originally posted by Leonidas well i have a 'black' tamil friend who experinced racism in turkey. She caught the wrong bus to some village off the beaten track (somwhere inland from bodrum i think) and was told she was lucky the local taxi drivers  accepted her in their cars and charged her extra because she is black.

More likely because she was a tourist. There are quite a few very dark Turks too.
I can totall see how someone can be discriminated in Turkey for their religion or ethnic self-identification or the language they speak, but not for skin color.

I was in Ephesus with an Armenian friend and we were speaking in Bulgarian, and then I switched to Turkish briefly to ask for a price, and one of the Turks (more likely Kurd because he spoke with an Eastern accent) asked me what kind of Turk I am and why do I speak an infidel language. Whad was I supposed to answer to that?


In conservative areas in Istanbul you may get weird looks for the way you dress for example. Most conservative Turks always wear trousers, and I was wearing shorts that very hot summer day. People, were looking at me in a very weird way. I felt uncomfortable.

Or the typical annoying question that I always get is how is it possible to live in Bulgaria and be a Turk at the same time. Mainalnd Turks are just really dumb sometimes.

    I had no intention of this becoming a race or racist debate but frankly I enjoyed the variety of faces I saw in Turkey but they were one culture and not multicultural. Being a nationalist does not make one a racist and I did not see racism amongst the Turks I met in Istanbul, but I am sure it is there amongst some Turks. I consider myself a nationalist American but I do not exclude other people by race or ethnic background, we are all Americans. On the most part I saw cultural unity amongst the Turks I met. I never sensed any hostility whenever I told my Turkish students or people I met that I was half Greek but usually admiration. Athough, I am sure there are some Turks who may feel negative about Greeks, most seem to like Greeks.
I took it as a compliment that I looked Turkish to some Turks but then some thought I looked German, American and one thought I was Italian because of my olive complexion. My Papoo (grandfather) was a Greek minority from around Edirne, Turkey but now my relatives from his side live in Nea Orestiada, Greece.


Added George Washington because so many Turks told me that Ataturk was their George Washington and GW is our national hero.




Edited by eaglecap - 06-Nov-2006 at 22:33

err I have no idea about what are you talking.

Originally posted by perikles I read that in Constaninople there are two races of people in schools. The European like children and the asian like children. Is that true? And if it true why is this division take place? Is something with the language or the religion? if it is not true then it was unreliable article and i apologize.

God is enough for us. He's such a beautiful protector and guarantor.

Originally posted by bg_turk More likely because she was a tourist. There are quite a few very dark Turks too. I can totall see how someone can be discriminated in Turkey for their religion or ethnic self-identification or the language they speak, but not for skin color.

she was told because she was black, the other girls were white and werent treated like that.

Geez, stuff like that happens everywhere turkey isnt any different.


Edited by Leonidas - 10-Nov-2006 at 06:44

Originally posted by Leonidas Originally posted by bg_turk More likely because she was a tourist. There are quite a few very dark Turks too. I can totall see how someone can be discriminated in Turkey for their religion or ethnic self-identification or the language they speak, but not for skin color. she was told because she was black, the other girls were white and werent treated like that. Geez, stuff like that happens everywhere turkey isnt any different.

Leonidas i know enough Greeks in here, somethimes just to bash or i dunno why actually they bring up things like "i heard Turks are racist..why? Because i HEARD so" or "A friend of my friend did experienced racism in Turkey" and you do the same "thing".

If someone go's to Turkey, he doesnt go to heaven, got it?

[QUOTE=DayI]
[QUOTE=Leonidas]

If someone go's to Turkey, he doesnt go to heaven, got it?

oh gosh I am in trouble now-

I thought only those who have been to Havre, Montana faced eternity in the realm of brim stone and fire-

Originally posted by bg_turk   Most conservative Turks always wear trousers, and I was wearing shorts that very hot summer day. People, were looking at me in a very weird way. I felt uncomfortable.

Maybe you have interesting legs

bg turk is kind enough to use greek flag avatar.I wonder whether a greek dares to use Turkish one or not:)