On the Road, Again
The conversation between a Chinese professor, lecturing at Harvard and MIT, and Kemal Oksuz was astonishing. The professor said, "What a clever idea! You will track the FBI even though that is the FBI's job." The FBI presented an award to Kemal Oksuz, whose background is predominantly in education, because of the positive role he has played in activities geared toward the integration of the Turkish community in Chicago. This plate, signed by Robert S.Muller, the director of the FBI, is not something given out easily.
Turkish people have become remarkably interested in the USA recently. It is natural for American officials to wonder who these people are when they see this increasing interest that has occurred over the last 6-7 years; they look to see what these Turks have in common with one another. These investigations and the findings must have impressed the FBI up to the level of its director, hence the award.
There is a very active group of young Turks in Chicago. Some are serving in the schools that have been founded there, striving to give a better education to American students; others work in a variety of companies. Despite a great loss of its image as a country of opportunities, the USA is still rife with opportunities, and the young Turks in Chicago I met are making the most of the many advantages it offers, even under the current circumstances.
In today's world, to be able to stand firm and leave a lasting mark on a foreign (and, it must be admitted, a trifle 'hostile') land is only possible if one is aware of the circumstances and one represents oneself well. The meeting "Towards Interreligious Dialogue in the New Millennium: Finding Common Ground," which is the reason for my being here, gave the opportunity for the Chicago group to show how well it has settled into Chicago. I have observed that in Chicago, which is the industrial capital of the USA, a number of outstanding people, from the city administration to those involved in national politics, have learned much about Turkey and Turks in a very short time.
Many influential and authorized people who govern the city and are effective in industry, trade, and religious matters-fields that shape society-have become aware of the existence of a country called 'Turkey' and the values it represents. An ordinary American is not interested in the other side of the town in which he lives, whereas the interest of the people who are considered the leaders of society is confined to the national boundaries. However, the Americans I met here are not only aware of Ankara, Istanbul, and Antalya, but they even know about places like Mardin.
Paul Rutgers is an important community leader in Chicago. He is the chairperson of an interfaith commission that consists of members from the almost 45 faith communities that exist in and around Chicago. Each community chooses its leader to represent them in this commission; the chair is determined by the members. Rutgers told me that they are removed from all kinds of political aims and that they have no official connection with the government. But, it can be seen that the commission has a significant impact on the problems of the different communities in the city.
Stanley Davis is one of the people who have been as far as Mardin. Despite advanced years, he would be eager to pack his bags if you were to suggest taking a trip there again. During a program at which we were both present, he said many positive things about Turkey, where he had traveled and had found an opportunity to meet many people. Professor Scott Alexander learned Turkish as a result of a 5- week intensive program; his Turkish was quite respectable.
I know that it seems quite repugnant for some that there are Turkish people who are seeking to develop good relationships with religious groups in foreign countries; there are people among us who do not welcome this at all. But in the view of those of us who want to leave a mark, this is the best way and is a short-cut in a country like the US, which can be considered as religious in many ways; this is the way to open all the doors for dialogue. A dialogue established between one and the individuals of society who are not only sensible, but also who are careful to maintain standards, places you directly at the center of that society.
I hope that no one will do anything to undermine this FBI award.
These kinds of activities go on throughout the world; it makes no difference if we hear about them or not. I am able to inform you about this event thanks to the invitation of a group who has settled in Chicago; they wished to share their experiences. There are not only a few journalists here; there is a large group comprised of many people who are leading individuals in a variety of fields, who work at universities, and professional people. In my opinion the entire event was impressive.
The young Turk who sat at the same table with me works for a firm which provides business contacts for various countries and companies. I pricked up my ears when he said he thought the efforts being made and the interest shown by the Turks in penetrating the American market were insufficient. Turkey's share is far too small if the giant volume of American trade is taken into account. If this lack of interest continues, the present situation will only worsen. His advice was that we should be aware of the basic idea of competitiveness in terms of pricing and that we should be insistent. He also thinks that a policy geared toward an institutional formation with "official support" is necessary.
I will come to Chicago again.
YENI SAFAK
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