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We’re not like that; it doesn't happen here.
Sound of steps world political changes
How often have I heard this phrase? After almost every political discussion, when I expressed my concerns, I would get the response, “We would not be like that” or “Turkey would not become Iran,” from friends and acquaintances.
Unless you see the problem and accept that there is a problem, you cannot look for a solution. I think it is easier that way because it requires effort and labor to produce a solution or contribute to it even a little bit. But when you ignore the problem, there is no need to do anything.
It was 1997 and religious courses were springing up every day in Turkey. Complaints to the Association were about children being beaten severely in these “imam hatip” religious schools. One of the families wanted to file a lawsuit for their child who had broken his hip bone in the beatings and could become a cripple, and the Association was going to find them a lawyer for free.
When I spoke to the family, I was surprised; both parents were working, they were not religious people, and the child had been beaten before in this religious course. How was it that despite this experience they still sent their child to this course?
