Obama’s grand entrance is celebrated in Istanbul
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Kristen Stevens
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 22, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - While many Turkish people in Istanbul expressed a "wait and see" approach to America’s new president, some 200 Americans, Turks and people from around the world cheered and hugged, cried and danced in an Istanbul nightclub that broadcast live Barack Obama’s inauguration Tuesday night.
Co-hosted by the club Ghetto and the local chapter of the American group Democrats Abroad, a number of celebrants became emotional during Obama’s inaugural address. The first black president as well as a descendent of slave-owners, Obama said it might seem unlikely that "a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."
Ebony Kelly, an educator in an Istanbul school and Democrats Abroad organizer, took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes with her hand to hold back tears. "That just set me off," she said. The Maryland native, whose grandmother was once removed from slavery, said she thought about all the people who had come before her to make a day like Tuesday possible. "It makes me want to be a better person."
Roadblocks to peace
Perhaps part of the underwhelming Turkish response to the ritual change in American presidents is the grief and outrage Turkish people have expressed in recent weeks regarding the Israeli war on the people of Gaza. Around the corner from the celebration, a large demonstration in support of Gaza had stopped traffic in the center of the city.
Tushar Vig, a student from the University of San Francisco and in Turkey on a study tour, said Obama’s speech was inspiring but out of place in heralding America as a beacon of peace. "It was hypocritical to talk about peace when the U.S. supported Israel in Gaza," Vig told the Turkish Daily News & Economic Review. Several Americans echoed this sentiment.
Aiming to join the American diplomatic corps in Turkey for the U.S. State Department, Seattle native Alison Brown came to Istanbul a few months ago to learn Turkish. A campaigner for Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, she said Obama’s selection of Clinton for secretary of state showed competence and grace. "Not only is she strong on foreign policy, she is a well-known figure around the world who was essentially a top diplomat as first lady."
Consul General Sharon Wiener invited some Americans and local Turkish figures "to watch the making of history together" at her residence. Before Obama was sworn in she told guests that in the face of an uncertain world, partnership with Turkey was a priority for the U.S. "Turkey's importance to America is even greater at a time when the Middle East has replaced Europe as the most critical region for U.S. national security interests."
Damage done
The percentage of Turkish people who believe Obama will strengthen U.S. relations abroad, rose to 51 percent from 11 percent six months ago, said a BBC poll released Tuesday. But on issues ranging from Armenia and Cyprus to Gaza, many remained skeptical that his leadership would benefit Turkey.
Outside Ghetto and 50 meters from the 2003 deadly bombing of the British Consulate, taxi driver Turul Çelik doubted if Obama’s strengths could undo the damage former President George Bush had caused in the world. "From invading Afghanistan to supporting Israel’s invasion in GazaÉ [Obama] might be a good director but a repairman for all this, I don’t think so."
With Obama’s presidency a few hours old, the band the Wingmen played for attendees of the Istanbul inauguration party. With beers and cocktails still flowing, Robert Feehly, who is at Kadir Has University, said people had come to Ghetto’s celebration "to send an old decrepit world into obscurity." He added that the dawn of intellectualism was at hand. "And Obama will lead us to it."
Ebony Kelly, an educator in an Istanbul school and Democrats Abroad organizer, took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes with her hand to hold back tears. "That just set me off," she said. The Maryland native, whose grandmother was once removed from slavery, said she thought about all the people who had come before her to make a day like Tuesday possible. "It makes me want to be a better person."
Roadblocks to peace
Perhaps part of the underwhelming Turkish response to the ritual change in American presidents is the grief and outrage Turkish people have expressed in recent weeks regarding the Israeli war on the people of Gaza. Around the corner from the celebration, a large demonstration in support of Gaza had stopped traffic in the center of the city.
Tushar Vig, a student from the University of San Francisco and in Turkey on a study tour, said Obama’s speech was inspiring but out of place in heralding America as a beacon of peace. "It was hypocritical to talk about peace when the U.S. supported Israel in Gaza," Vig told the Turkish Daily News & Economic Review. Several Americans echoed this sentiment.
Aiming to join the American diplomatic corps in Turkey for the U.S. State Department, Seattle native Alison Brown came to Istanbul a few months ago to learn Turkish. A campaigner for Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid, she said Obama’s selection of Clinton for secretary of state showed competence and grace. "Not only is she strong on foreign policy, she is a well-known figure around the world who was essentially a top diplomat as first lady."
Consul General Sharon Wiener invited some Americans and local Turkish figures "to watch the making of history together" at her residence. Before Obama was sworn in she told guests that in the face of an uncertain world, partnership with Turkey was a priority for the U.S. "Turkey's importance to America is even greater at a time when the Middle East has replaced Europe as the most critical region for U.S. national security interests."
Damage done
The percentage of Turkish people who believe Obama will strengthen U.S. relations abroad, rose to 51 percent from 11 percent six months ago, said a BBC poll released Tuesday. But on issues ranging from Armenia and Cyprus to Gaza, many remained skeptical that his leadership would benefit Turkey.
Outside Ghetto and 50 meters from the 2003 deadly bombing of the British Consulate, taxi driver Turul Çelik doubted if Obama’s strengths could undo the damage former President George Bush had caused in the world. "From invading Afghanistan to supporting Israel’s invasion in GazaÉ [Obama] might be a good director but a repairman for all this, I don’t think so."
With Obama’s presidency a few hours old, the band the Wingmen played for attendees of the Istanbul inauguration party. With beers and cocktails still flowing, Robert Feehly, who is at Kadir Has University, said people had come to Ghetto’s celebration "to send an old decrepit world into obscurity." He added that the dawn of intellectualism was at hand. "And Obama will lead us to it."