America: Omnipresent, Omniscient Super-Villain

As an English teacher in Turkey I have met many Turks, and through the lessons you come to talk about a vast array of topics; here is a small assortment I’ve collected regarding the perception of America. In fact, at this point I need to disclaim that I’m an American and that my English roommate, Steve, who is also and English teacher, is the source of many of these jewels; apparently the Turks are bashful about mentioning some of the following nuggets to my face, and after reading, I think you’ll understand why.

First, everyone thinks I’m in the CIA. I’m not, for the record. In fact, whenever anyone brings in up, jokingly or not, I vehemently deny it. The last thing I want is to be dragged out of my house in the middle of the night because I’m a suspected spy. Again, I’m not in the CIA.

“What do Americans think of Ataturk?” is a common question. Ataturk, or Mustafa Kemal, for those of you who don’t know, is the founder of the modern Turkish republic and continuing object of affection for millions of Turks. He is of the utmost importance in Turkish political and cultural life. There is a statue of him in every single Turkish town and city; being a statue maker in Turkey must be a lucrative gig. The truthful answer is that Americans, by large, do not know who Ataturk is. I rarely give this answer, however, and try to diplomatically navigate between insulting Turks by insinuating their hero is a peripheral figure of world history, and portraying the American people as ignorant to other people’s histories, which, actually, many of us are.

Ok, let’s get to the meaty part. According to our students, China will not rise to power because America won’t let them. The U.S. will destroy the Chinese economy through unspecified means and continue to lord over the world indefinitely. Also, the U.S. released and caused the HIV virus in Africa and plans to do the same in Turkey. The U.S. apparently will also release some microorganism that is vague in its description but ominous nonetheless. America is completely controlled by Jews. America is completely controlled by Armenians. America is completely controlled by the Saudis. America is controlled by five powerful families. And so forth. Although many Turks like him, some have expressed distrust of President Obama because he is black-skinned, and are surprised that I support him because I am white-skinned. And, my personal favorite, is the accusation that there are sharks in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas because the Americans brought them across the Atlantic in submarines to kill Turks….which is a shame, I rather like Turks.

Of course, the truth regarding these topics probably contains some shades of gray: America will likely try to inhibit, probably unsuccessfully, China’s rise to power. The U.S. could do tremendously more to combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Competing interest groups have disproportionate influence over the American political system. Racism still exists in America. And, well, the last one about the sharks is completely true; we did do that.

Most of these are not commonly held beliefs here in Turkey, but by specific individuals, and should be appropriately placed in the ‘crazy’ category and laughed at. Indeed, when I reflect on what I would hear in the U.S. if I had similarly gathered information I imagine it would be equally or more outlandish, hilarious, and depressing.

-Charles P. Pearson