Between Gezi Park and Kamp Armen: the intersectional activism of leftist Armenian youths in Istanbul. (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Papazian, Hrag
• Is Part Of: Turkish studies. Volume 18:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 76
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Intersectionality -- identity -- activism -- Turkey -- Armenians; Turkey -- Periodicals; Turkey -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Turkey -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Turkey -- History -- Periodicals; 956.1
• DOI: 10.1080/14683849.2016.1266616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-3849

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper uses theories of intersectionality to study Nor Zartonk, an activist group of Istanbulite youths which is mostly comprised of Armenians. Based on ethnographic research, it first explores and analyzes the youths' subjectivities, ideology, and activism, exposing their intersectional nature. Furthermore, through the study of this particular case the paper identifies some general potentials of intersectional positionality: first, that the politicization of one dimension of individuals' intersectional subjectivities could pave the way for the politicization of others; second, that intersectional activists could 'intersectionalize' the events in which they participate, thus potentially pluralizing the socio-political implications of those; and third, that different dimensions of intersectional activism could support each other in practice and essence.