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The following appeared some years
ago in a publication called the "PTAA Digest" (which sounds like was
put out by a Turkish-American association in Pennsylvania), written by
Professor Thomas Goodrich, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
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| “A
Letter to the Editor: What To Do?” |
As a historian I have come to realize that the events in the
headlines of newspapers are usually not so important as the small
changes that come to fill our lives. If many of you start acting to
improve the attitudes and knowledge of Americans about Turks and Turkey, that it will come
to pass. It is not insightful or
scholarly articles and books or even the meetings of presidents of
countries that make difference so much as what PTAA and similar
organizations actually do.
What to do? Just living in the United States and being known as
Turk makes an impression. You are obviously not a wild horseman
riding a ragged pony from the Siberian steppes nor are you an
ignorant peasant off the rocky fields of Anatolia, mush less a
professional wrestler known with the alternative name of The
Terrible Turk.
There are more specific steps to take as well. Correct errors in
fact and in assumptions. Read the books used in local schools and
let both teacher and publishers know what you think. Ethnic studies
in the spirit of a pluralistic nation and world are growing in this
country. In California the state government is insisting upon it,
including the Armenian issue. Make sure that the study of the issue
is open minded, with more than one viewpoint expressed. (This issue is highly
dramatic; most matters will be about a word, or a
sentence, or a paragraph yet just as important to comment on.)
Correct other facts and opinions in all media: magazines,
newspapers, and television. Most people would like to learn and
correct errors about Turks and Turkey and are quite open. This
leads to the problems more difficult than errors – ignorance and
lack of interest. When people in Turkey ask me why they know so
much about the United States and we know little about their
country, I ask what hey know about Argentina, The Philippines, or
Nigeria. It is difficult to know much about 150 countries, as well
as our U.S. problems, the football scores, and how to play Nintendo
games. As Turks, you need to be available for any group interested
in learning or in filling a regular meeting. Present activities in
schools, Rotary, Elks, Junior Chamber of Commerce, local
photography club, etc. Public relations is tiring yet can be
effective.
Finally find out what others are doing, not only other Turkish-
American associations but similar ethnic groups to determine what
works. There are types of activities that are successful. There are
organizations that have advice. Be in touch with Turkish Studies
Association, The Institute for Turkish Studies, and the Middle East
Centers in universities such as Pitt, Ohio State, Penn State, Texas
and UCLA.
PTAA is already recognized as a dynamic active association.
Continue to grow and be a dynamic pressure in improving the image of Turks and Turkey in
Western Pennsylvania, the Tri-State region, and beyond. Kolay gelsin.
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Professor Thomas Goodrich
appears to be retired from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. A page
from their web site informs us that the university carries a collection of
1950-1965 letters written by the professor's children, who widely travelled.
Professor Goodrich was one of
the brave academicians who put his name on 1985's "69 Scholars" Declaration, inviting harassment from
Armenians and obsessed genocide scholars, attempting to smear these academicians'
reputations.
Thank you, Professor Goodrich,
for your enlightenment, your regard for historical truth, and for your humanity.
Thanks to Yuksel Oktay
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Related:
Edward Tashji's Program for a
Turkish Course of Action
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