By John Q. Hosedrinker I was absolutely shocked when I came across the news about Erdogan slapping a child for not kissing his hand during a ceremony in Rize. At first, I thought it must be some kind of satire, like something out of The Onion, but sadly, it was all too real. This incident made me question the kind of leader Erdogan is portraying himself to be, and it left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Watching the video of the incident, it was clear that this wasn’t a full-blown slap, but more of a tap on the cheek. Some even argued that it was a common gesture in Turkish culture, a way for him to assert his authority as a father/grandfather figure. But regardless of cultural norms, it felt wrong to see a child being treated in such a manner by a political leader.
What struck me the most were the reactions of people online. Some dismissed it as a non-issue, claiming it was a light pat and not a big deal. Others expressed their disgust and disappointment, labeling Erdogan as a power-hungry dictator. It made me realize the stark differences in perspectives and the impact of cultural relativism.
As someone who grew up in the Middle East, I understand that certain gestures and actions may hold different meanings in various cultures. However, the notion of forcing a child to show respect by kissing one’s hand seemed unsettling to me. Respect should be earned, not demanded through force or intimidation.
The whole incident left me questioning the kind of image Erdogan is portraying on the international stage. Threatening to invade Israel one day and then engaging in such behavior with a child the next day seems erratic and alarming. It makes me wonder what kind of message he is sending to the world and how it reflects on the country he leads.
In my opinion, leadership should be about compassion, empathy, and respect for all individuals, regardless of age or background. Using power to intimidate or force people into submission goes against the principles of democracy and human rights. Erdogan’s actions, no matter how seemingly trivial, speak volumes about his character and leadership style.
Overall, the incident in Rize was a stark reminder of the complexities of politics, power dynamics, and cultural differences. It made me question the kind of world we live in and the kind of leaders we choose to represent us. As a global citizen, I hope for a future where respect is mutual, kindness is valued, and leadership is defined by integrity and empathy. Let’s strive for a world where every child is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are or where they come from. I was absolutely shocked when I came across the news about Erdogan slapping a child for not kissing his hand during a ceremony in Rize. At first, I thought it must be some kind of satire, like something out of The Onion, but sadly, it was all too real. This incident made me question the kind of leader Erdogan is portraying himself to be, and it left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Watching the video of the incident, it was clear that this wasn’t a full-blown slap, but more of a tap on the cheek. Some even argued that it was a common gesture in Turkish culture, a way for him to assert his authority as a father/grandfather figure. But regardless of cultural norms, it felt wrong to see a child being treated in such a manner by a political leader.
What struck me the most were the reactions of people online. Some dismissed it as a non-issue, claiming it was a light pat and not a big deal. Others expressed their disgust and disappointment, labeling Erdogan as a power-hungry dictator. It made me realize the stark differences in perspectives and the impact of cultural relativism.
As someone who grew up in the Middle East, I understand that certain gestures and actions may hold different meanings in various cultures. However, the notion of forcing a child to show respect by kissing one’s hand seemed unsettling to me. Respect should be earned, not demanded through force or intimidation.
The whole incident left me questioning the kind of image Erdogan is portraying on the international stage. Threatening to invade Israel one day and then engaging in such behavior with a child the next day seems erratic and alarming. It makes me wonder what kind of message he is sending to the world and how it reflects on the country he leads.
In my opinion, leadership should be about compassion, empathy, and respect for all individuals, regardless of age or background. Using power to intimidate or force people into submission goes against the principles of democracy and human rights. Erdogan’s actions, no matter how seemingly trivial, speak volumes about his character and leadership style.
Overall, the incident in Rize was a stark reminder of the complexities of politics, power dynamics, and cultural differences. It made me question the kind of world we live in and the kind of leaders we choose to represent us. As a global citizen, I hope for a future where respect is mutual, kindness is valued, and leadership is defined by integrity and empathy. Let’s strive for a world where every child is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are or where they come from.