Tell us about yourself. You wish to remain anonymous, but could you share a bit about how you identify yourself and the kind of activism you are involved in? What issues are you most passionate about?
I am a Turk, living as an expat. I advocate for a Free Palestine and the children of Gaza. I beg for their forgiveness daily.
How did you come to recognize the Armenian Genocide? Was it a gradual realization, or was there a specific moment that changed your perspective?
I denied the Armenian Genocide for a long time. We were either not taught about it in school, or it was called an “exile,” minimizing the lives taken. I learned about the Hamidian massacres on my own. The current genocide in Gaza has triggered me to rethink the political notions of self-defence and colonization.
How difficult was it for you to unlearn the Turkish state propaganda and nationalist narratives? What were the biggest challenges in that process? Were there books, people, or experiences that influenced you?
The propaganda is powerful. For so long, I had been convinced that for my country not to be colonized by European forces a century ago, it had to get rid of people who were labeled “insurrectionists” or “traitors.”
They were just families trying to survive… And even if they were resisting, is that not the right of the oppressed masses?
The reality is that even if people still believe the propaganda, the numbers just don’t add up.
It’s not a two-sided conflict if the death toll is too high on one side. It’s a massacre. It’s a genocide.
Path to Reconciliation: What do you think reconciliation should look like? Can true reconciliation happen without reparations and acknowledgment from the Turkish state?
I don’t know if we can reconcile with Armenians in this lifetime. Not because I don’t think it’s possible. I would very much like to do so as soon as possible. However, because we waited so long to reconcile and denied our shared history, the wounds that were already deep are now infected. There's a need for a complete unlearning of Ottoman Turkish colonial legacy and its patriarchal power structure, which requires a significant identity change for many Turks.
Reconciliation also entails Turks giving up their claims to Western Armenia. At the very least, there needs to be a guarantee for a safe return and reparations. I do not believe this process will prove easy or fast. That being said, we must start as soon as possible.
Decolonization and the Armenian Genocide: What does decolonization mean to you? Why do you see it as an important issue? Do you consider what happened to Armenians a form of colonization? If so, how do you define it in this context?
Decolonization is freedom. Freedom to travel. Freedom from exploitation. Freedom from patriarchy. To live together without being owned by another. Both modern-day Turkey and Armenia are connected by colonization. They are also culturally entwined, as a result of the Ottoman Empire’s domination over Anatolia and beyond.
Truthfully, neither Armenians nor Turks will be free until we decide to help free each other.
You believe Turkey should pay reparations. What form do you think reparations should take? Financial compensation? Land restitution? Official recognition? Education reform?
Reparations should be set out by Armenians and respected by Turks.
If we are to reconcile, it has to start with Turks trusting Armenians to take charge of the occupied land and people. This comes with grasping that Armenians have the right of return and governance over their ancestral lands. It also means an equalization and decentralization of power.
What can we do together as activists and as a community to push for justice and decolonization? How can Armenian and Turkish activists collaborate meaningfully?
We talk. Don’t care how. Just keep conversing.
What would you say to a Turkish person who acknowledges the genocide but insists, “It happened in the past, let’s move on”? Why is it important to continue talking about it?
We can’t move on because genocides keep happening, and we can’t seem to stop them before they happen. I think everyone is too ashamed to do anything about anything, and I’m sick of it.
We also can’t move on because the Armenian people today still carry the pain of a cultural trauma. If Turks move on, Armenians can’t, and that will destroy us all.
We shouldn’t want to abandon people in the pain we caused them. Especially if we are so ashamed of it, we continue to deny it.
What do you think prevents more Turkish people from recognizing the genocide? Is it fear, nationalism, misinformation, or something else? What strategies could help break the silence?
Breaking through to Turks is just like anyone else — it’s a coin flip.
Yes, there is a strong element of propaganda; however, many privileged young adult Turks tend to leave. This helps with people’s perspectives. They are often the demographic group most open to changing their minds.
After that, it comes down to who you are as a person. Educated people make excellent Nazis. And if you’re not careful, they sneak their way into power. It’s the same everywhere.
What would you like to say to Armenians today? Do you think there is anything Turkish allies like yourself can do to build trust?
I am so sorry.
For the loss my cultural ancestors have caused. For all of the lives taken. For taking so long to understand what happened. For our shared pain.
What role do you think the international community should play in pressuring Turkey to acknowledge the genocide and take responsibility?
I honestly don’t know how to answer this question, while the international community (including Turkey) has not stopped the ongoing genocide of Gaza. Once I see how Israel and the USA are subdued and prosecuted by the rest of the world, I will have a better idea of how the world stage can collaborate on past events. I think the general rule for civilians should stay: keep talking, even if you have to whisper for a bit.
Has your stance on these issues affected your relationships with family, friends, or colleagues? How do you navigate those conversations?
My family is not aware of my stance. They would not understand. It breaks my heart.