My Identity is What Makes me Unique

Kurdishaspect.com - By Helene Sairany

“It should be known that every identity that is murdered is our own murder regardless of what our language, religion or identity might be.” Leyla Zana

Many times I am asked about my nationality. I do envy people of other nationalities for having a simple answer to this question because my own response always takes me an extra effort to explain. Where am I from? I am from Kurdistan. We’ve never heard of it. Yes, it is nowhere to be found on the map. Many times I have to say that Kurdistan is located between four countries: Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. But why does my nation have to be associated with other countries for others to know where I am from? I may simply state that I am a Kurd from Kurdistan, but the ego inside me is much larger than a simple reply, I want the whole world to know where Kurdistan exactly is, I want them to know my true identity, my Kurdish identity.

I have to admit that I never had any problems with my identity growing up in the villages of Kurdistan because my race was no doubt the dominant one. Issues pertaining to identity are less of a concern to members of the dominant group (1). I arrived in the United States as an adolescent and with time, I discovered this emotional attachment to my identity during my stay in the States. Maybe the fact that my race is among the minority ones here in the States, or maybe because my racial identity has always been poorly presented politically, economically, culturally, and by the media, or maybe because my people are worst discriminated against or even attacked verbally or physically.

What is the significance of one’s identity? Identity is a part of an individual's self-concept, which is derived from the knowledge of their membership of social groups together with the value and emotional significance attached to that membership (1). Some social psychologists consider ethnic identity to be the key aspect, while others associate it with a feeling of self-belonging and commitment, the sense of shared values and attitude (2). In contrast, some other definitions focus on the cultural aspect of the identity, such as language, behaviors and values. In essence, one’s identity dominates his psychological functioning and self concept due to the emotional attachments to his values and belongings.

With all that emotional attachment that is mentioned, how do you expect one to react when they realize that they are abused or simply discriminated against because they dare to show pride in their identity? Is it possible to hold negative views about one’s own group and yet feel good about oneself? How do you expect one to react when they are considered of a lesser value simply because they disclose their true identity? By lesser value, I mean being considered less of a citizen or being labeled a “Mountain Turk” or an “Alien” on their own land that was taken away from them by force? How do you expect a mother to react when she sees her child tormented and tortured in front of her eyes because of identity? This simply defines Kurds' dare to claim their basic rights as human beings in Southern Turkey, e.g. their identity.

Sociologists and psychologists indicate that continuous exposure to neglect, abuse, and poverty increases the vulnerability of minority groups to depression and low self-esteem (2). Social racism and discrimination coupled with economic disadvantage, trauma of losing a close friend, a loved one, or a family member have all worked against the psychological well-being of Kurds in Southern Turkey. Low self-esteem combined with constant oppression is proven to lead to violence (3).

Aggression in Turkey initiated because of the national inequality. Kemal Ataturk, ruling with his ideologies, led to the creation of two opponent groups. The Kurds, who struggle numerous times as a result of national inequality and isolation in an underdeveloped eastern portion of Turkey, were considered to be some of the “leftist” opponents of Ataturk’s ideologies. The Kurds, over time, asked for this inequality to be recognized. Such inequality is what led to the birth of the Kurdish Movement, Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK). The movement was more of a protest movement against Turkish oppression and a call to end all of the inequalities.

In conclusion, we cannot judge another culture through the lens of our own culture. Nor that can we make judgments based on what the media presents about other nations. Suspicion, intolerance, and mistrust about others are driving us apart. We are stronger when we share, and smarter when we listen and coexist. When one deprives an individual of his basic human rights (e.g. identity), one deprives him of his sense of belonging, which leads to a long line of consequences, e.g. low self-esteem, violence, aggression, etc.

References

1. Phinney, J. S. “Ethnic Identity in Adolescents and Adults: Review of the Research.” Psychological Bulletin, 1990, 108, 499–514.

2. Harris, H. W. “Introduction: A Conceptual Overview of Race, Ethnicity and Identity.”
In H. W. Harris, H. C. Blue, and E.E.H. Griffith (eds.), Racial and Ethnic Identity: Psychological
Development and Creative Expression. New York: Routledge, 1995.

3. Helms, J. E. “The Conceptualization of Ethnic Identity and Other ‘Racial’ Constructs.”
In E. J. Thicket, R. J. Watts, and D. Birman (eds.), Human Diversity: Perspectives on
People in Context. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1994.