Veysi Aktaş: The Turkish left continues with the same old routine, not renewing itselfLeader Apo's message was read at the International Peace and Democratic Society Conference organized in Istanbul by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party).
The letter was read by Veysi Aktaş, who was released after spending 30 years in prison, the last 10 of which were in İmralı.
Speaking to Bianet, Aktaş responded to criticisms of the letter. He stated that the common problem stemming from the reaction from the government, as well as the left and socialists, is bigotry. He said, "Bigotry isn't just experienced on the right; it's also experienced on the left. This is one of the most fundamental problems facing the Turkish left. For this reason, a 'breakthrough' is impossible. Socialization is impossible, and those ideological molds can't be broken and established on a political basis."
'SOCIALISTS HAVE NO REASON TO SAY'
Aktaş, reminding that the letter draws attention to the crises experienced by the left not only in Turkey but also globally, stated the following: "There's no end to socialists' words. 'We've told the world what we had to say in the name of socialism, and that's it.' A socialist's words are endless. It's impossible for a socialist to experience political deadlock. Because they are based on society, they're based on truth. These assessments are an acceptance of the end or bankruptcy. The Turkish left, too, continues with this mentality, following the same rote, failing to renew itself. In fact, they're essentially holding onto a set of dogmas. They think that if they abandon these dogmas, they'll be swept away, they'll lose everything. That's why they cling to those dogmas so tightly. And they don't analyze them, they don't criticize them, they don't approach them with a free mind. The same rote is repeated over and over again.
WHY DON'T THE TURKS HAVE A HISTORY OF THE OPPRESSED?
Criticizing the Turkish left's understanding of history and calling for a self-critical approach, Aktaş said: “If they want to interpret the leadership correctly, they need to improve themselves in historical sociology. They need to read history correctly. They are strangers to their own history. Even within their own history, a 'history of the oppressed' hasn't yet been uncovered. Why don't the Turks have a history of the oppressed? They are constantly being imposed upon a hi
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