Notes

A Turkish Take on Black American History

Melis Sokmen stole the show.  On a night when the US Embassy celebrated Black America’s artistic contributions to US history, the African Turkish vocalist Sokmen captivated the crowd with a soulful jazz rendition of Malaika.  Before the pianist sounded the first note, Sokmen led the rapt audience on a journey through her childhood.  The daughter of a Guinean woman and Turkish man, Sokmen’s mother sang her baby girl Malaika as a lullaby. 

The singer and song choice couldn’t have been more appropriate for the evening.  The peaceful rhythm and Sokmen’s mellifluous voice provided a stark contrast to the struggles undertaken by the song’s author, Miriam Makeba.  As Nelson Mandela once observed, “the curious beauty of African music is that it uplifts, even as it tells a sad tale.”  Makeba personified the power of artistic expression in overcoming oppression in South Africa and the United States.

The contrast between artistic beauty and historical oppression was on display throughout the Turkish American Association’s (TAA) halls.  Prior to the concert, the TAA displayed several pieces of American painter Leroy Campbell’s art.  Like Malaika, the art depicted everyday scenes from Black American life intertwined with the struggles of Black American history.  One work depicted children swimming in a lake; the palpable joy in the children’s expressions could not entirely erase the faded slavery era newspaper clippings gently bubbling to the water’s surface.  Another work revealed a group of Black Americans worshiping in their Sunday best; the scene was mounted atop old newspaper clippings of civil rights era struggles.  Even at the height of their spiritual awakening, the painting seemed to say, the dark history of Black American oppression lay just outside the church confines.

Following the art show, the Sharon Clark Quintet took the stage for a rousing rendition of many Jazz favorites.  From Nina Simone to Shirley Horn to Ella Fitzgerald, Clark covered all the bases in what the TAA billed as “A Tribute to the Great Ladies of Jazz”.  Acknowledging the historical undercurrents of the night, Clark reminded the audience that Black American History is not confined to artistic expression, particularly after President Barrack Obama’s election in 2008.  She then proclaimed herself “proud to be an American”.  Her night complete, Clark gave way to Sokmen, who summed up the evening succinctly.  “We are all connected”, she whispered, as she began her lullaby. 

Don’t miss the Sharon Clark Quintet, featuring Melis Sokmen, in Izmir.  On March 1 at 2:00 PM, Dokuz Eylül University will host the Quintet and Sokmen for its tribute to Great Ladies of Jazz.  On March 3 at 8:00 PM, the same group will perform at the Turkish American Association at Izmir.  From March 3-5, the Turkish American Association also will display Leroy Campbell’s “African American Days of Art” exhibition.

Christiaan De Luigi
Izmir City Officer
US Embassy, Ankara

A Hero’s Welcome at Europe’s First Best Buy

As luck would have it, I picked the right guy.  “I’m a hero”, he told me, “I’m trained to speak about all sections of the store”.  A hero is exactly whom I needed to lead me through the hordes of people at the opening of Best Buy’s first European store.  After cutting the ribbon and wading through an aisle of raucous employees, we arrived in the laptop section.  I quickly spotted Ozan standing quietly next to a Toshiba.  “How long have you worked for Best Buy?” I asked.  “Three months”, he proudly said, “let me show you around!”

He must have sensed my gaming credentials because we headed straight for the video game section.  I jumped into the driver’s seat of a racing game and began speeding around the track.  “You’re not a very good driver”, Ozan chided.  Suddenly, we heard a large commotion behind us.  The Governor, the Mayor and their press entourage were touring the store with Ruşen Kopmaz, Best Buy’s President in Turkey.  “Would the Mayor like to try the racing game?” we asked.  The Mayor eased into the driver’s seat.  “He’s faster than you were”, Ozan laughed. 

We moved swiftly from Wii tennis to the drums.  In the speaker demo room, a young man invited us to close our eyes and experience the sound of music on Best Buy speakers.  “How many speakers did you hear”, he asked after three dark minutes.  “100”, I guessed in jest.  “It was only two speakers”, he excitedly declared.  His enthusiasm hopefully will sell the speakers.

Best Buy in Izmir is counting on the enthusiasm of its employees to distinguish itself from the competition.  During his press conference, Mr. Kopmaz spoke of Best Buy’s “customer-oriented service” model as tool for reaching Izmir’s young, vibrant and tech-savvy population.  As he spoke, Best Buy’s young, vibrant and tech-savvy staff clapped passionately at each pause and chanted B-E-S-T B-U-Y.  Their enthusiasm was contagious, but there is more to Best Buy in Turkey than just sales.

Best Buy sees Turkey as an entrance to the European market.  The company expects to open eight stores in the United Kingdom in 2010, and plans to stock those stores with goods purchased and assembled in Turkey.  “We don’t want to export goods from the US to our European stores”, a Best Buy executive explained to me, “our goal is to use Turkey as a manufacturing hub for our European business”.  Turkey, and in particular Izmir, is well-positioned to play the role of manufacturing hub for Best Buy and other American stores.  Izmir Port is one of the largest in Europe, and the Aegean Free Trade Zone (ESBAŞ) in Izmir offers tax exemptions to firms who export more than 85% of their goods out of Turkey.  Turkey’s young, highly educated and technologically advanced population is teeming with engineers and production managers, all of them potential Best Buy heroes.

After thoroughly canvassing the store with our hero, Ozan, it was time to go.  Ozan showed us the checkout line and we thanked him profusely for his attentive service.  An enthusiastic young lady showed me an open register and thanked me for shopping at Best Buy.  “What was the first item sold today”, I asked the cashier.  “A bottle of mineral water”, she said as a huge smile flashed across her face.  Here’s hoping enthusiastic employees like her help sales pick up quickly.

Christiaan De Luigi
Izmir City Officer
US Embassy, Ankara

 

A Night Aboard the USS Bataan

A Night Aboard the USS Bataan

November 15-18, 2009

As our van weaved through shipping containers and flatbed trucks, we wondered if we were lost.  There was no sign of the USS Bataan, and the dark Izmir port looked more like a mafia hangout than a temporary home for one of America’s finest vessels.  Suddenly a sea of young men with crew cuts swarmed past our van, eager to sample Izmir’s nightlife; we knew we must be close.  Following their trail, we soon spotted the ship’s bright lights.  As we approached, officers stood at attention and saluted.  We jumped out of the van and were greeted by bells and whistles as we scaled the gangway.

The USS Bataan was beginning a four day port call in Izmir, and we were the beneficiaries of a huge party on board.  We breezed through a receiving line with the ship’s Captain and Officers on our way to the reception area.  Normally this area housed military vehicles and planes but today it was adorned with tables piled high with food and drinks prepared by the ship’s crew.  Not that we had much time to eat and drink.  At every turn another crewmember greeted us with a broad smile and a vigorous handshake.

Doug Silliman, the DCM from the US Embassy in Ankara, initiated the party with welcome remarks.  He explained that the ship’s name memorializes the valiant resistance of American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula during World War II.  While the name evokes memories of fierce battles, many of the ship’s missions today are humanitarian.  The ship was the first to deploy to the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and has participated in humanitarian missions during its current deployment.  Most Sailors and Marines were more eager to talk about their humanitarian work and daily lives than their combat operations.

 I met two young Sailors with beers in their hands.  “How long has it been since your last drink?”  I asked.  “Two weeks”, they replied without hesitation.  “Does that affect your tolerance?”, I wondered aloud.  “Yeah, we’re a cheap date now”, one laughingly said.  A Navy Doctor proudly explained that the USS Bataan has one of the best medical units in the US Navy.  “We’ve got a lot of Marines on this ship”, he said.  “They’re the first ones off the ship.  When they come back, we clean them up”. 

The Marines and Sailors were eager to show off their ship.  On the deck, a Captain explained how to land a Huey helicopter in a sand storm.  “That’s what the windows below our feet are for”, she boasted.  Two Navy Pilots explained how they take off and land on the ship’s narrow runway.  “First we reorganize the deck”, one said.  “Then we can take off.  It’s like ballet”.  I’ll never think of ballet in the same way again!  The Marines and Sailors laid out the proverbial red carpet for us.  They prepared a veritable feast accompanied by a full bar.  At the end of the evening, they rolled out an enormous cake.  DCM Silliman and the Vice Mayor of Izmir jointly cut the first piece of cake and handed it to the ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Sam Howard. 

Before exiting the ship, we made one final stop below the deck.  There we saw a warehouse worth of landing craft, helicopters and machinery.  “We practiced for days before loading this ship,” one Sailor told me.  “We wanted to get it perfect.  It took us three days to load everything.”  “How long would it take you to unload in a combat situation”, I asked?  “Much less” he instantly responded.    

As we exited the ship, the young Marines and Sailors were on their way back.  Our reception afforded them a rare but well deserved break from their hard work at sea.  We departed with a greater understanding of that work and the courageous men and women who perform it.

 

Christiaan DeLuigi
Consular Officer, U.S. Embassy Ankara

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Notes

Embassy DCM Douglas Silliman Visited Izmir

October 13-14, 2009

I was absolutely thrilled to learn that my first trip in Turkey would be to Izmir.  Located on the Aegean Sea, Izmir is known for its temperate climate and beautiful vistas.  So when the flight captain announced that we’d be landing in 20 minutes, and oh by the way, it was raining and unseasonably cold in Izmir, I was just a little disappointed.  I had just two days and one night away from Ankara.  I had planned to trade Ankara’s smog and traffic for Izmir’s blue sea and fresh air, but the weather wasn’t cooperating.  Nevertheless, the trip went on. 

I was travelling, after all, with Doug Silliman, the Deputy Chief of Mission from the US Embassy in Ankara, and his schedule was too busy to be effected by rain.  Mr. Silliman arrived in Izmir just six months after President Obama’s historic first bilateral visit to Turkey and three months following Ambassador James Jeffrey’s visit to the city to inaugurate the US Embassy’s Virtual Presence Post (VPP) website.  Our trip was designed to send a clear message: Izmir is important to the United States and the US Government will remain engaged in Izmir.

Just before our trip, the Nobel Committee announced that President Obama would win the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.  The Committee’s award citation credited President Obama with restoring a hopeful and more collaborative vision to the world.  DCM Silliman stressed that his mission in Izmir was to put President Obama’s words into action.  The DCM reminded Turkish and American business officials of the promise that US President Barrack Obama and Turkey President Abdullah Gül made to each other at their meeting in April 2009 to increase bilateral trade and investment between their respective countries.  On Tuesday we visited ESBAŞ (best antique car collection in Izmir), the Izmir Chamber of Commerce (the Chairman’s office had the best office view in Izmir), and the Aegean Chamber of Industry (best dried figs in Izmir).  Our final stop on Tuesday was Konak Pier, a premier shopping district located right on the Aegean.  As a driving rain pounded our umbrella, we sat outside and brainstormed ways to increase bilateral trade and investment, and to encourage companies and trade associations to share best practices with one another.

By Wednesday, the sun had returned, and my image of Izmir was restored.  Since no State Department trip is complete without political courtesy calls, DCM Silliman met with the Mayor of Izmir, a Vice-Governor, the British Consul, and representatives from the Izmir Chapter of the Turkish American Association.  “When will the US Government re-open it’s Izmir consulate?” they all asked.  “Unfortunately, we probably won’t,” the DCM replied.  “But this is the 21^st century.  In lieu of a consulate, we have a Virtual Presence Post (Izmir.usvpp.gov) and my colleague Christiaan will be our new Izmir City Officer”.  They seemed pleased with this, but the headline in the paper still read “US Will Not Re-Open Izmir Consulate”. 

Rain or shine, diplomacy can always be reduced to basics: you have to be there.  Much like President Obama’s visit to Turkey showed the importance his Administration places on US-Turkey bilateral relations, our trip to Izmir showed that America will remain politically, culturally and commercially engaged with the city.  The DCM concluded our visit with a speech to University students and faculty entitled “US Foreign Policy in the Obama Administration”.  That title could have applied to the whole trip.

Christiaan DeLuigi
Consular Officer, U.S. Embassy Ankara