It’s cool. I get some crazy stuff written to me on my blog, personal attacks that seem ridiculous to me, and it’s hard to believe that people would say such things. Dealing with such disagreements can be tiresome.

Unfortunately, Americanization has such a negative connotation, that a lot of times when I talk to people about societal development, they dismiss it as Americanization. I think you alluded to it, but my point is that the freedom to realize one’s potential isn’t an American issue, it’s a human issue.

And, regarding your question of how I know the woman that isn’t allowed to leave the house: When I first moved to the City X, where I live now, I lived with a host family for six months. I woke up one morning to eat breakfast and when she told me there was no bread. When I asked why she hadn’t gotten any, she said she wasn’t allowed to leave the house without her husband’s approval, and considering he was in Iran for two weeks, it was going to be a while before she got approval.

I’m not making that up, or exaggerating, but your question is fair.

You’re right, I was drunk that day when I posted that abusement above. I’m sorry, guys. It’s just a misunderstanding, but to be honest it’s very hard to hear critics addressed to me directly. I am doing my best in my community trying to educate someone and spread that style if it fits for a better community, but never tried to americanize my community with Mc’s and Cola’s or Hollywood (if it IS the way then I would imitate Great Britain rather than the US). Azerbaijan is the first country extracting oil onshore and offshore, the first eastern Opera is composed here, the first Democratic Country and first time in history women voted in Azerbaijan, plus, the Great Silk Road passes through, the first eastern country to leave people religious choice, is a country having folk customs for thousands of years. Probably, I din’t like your comments because it seemed as americanization, additionally, it was right after an event held in a private circle where an american missioner was brainwashing with the words “What you believe is shit, what I believe is a real religion”. I’m not religious, but people are. Trust me, everything will be all right in my country, because I want it that way. I will change it.

I’ve lived in Turkey and Russia – occasionally, but I was thinking of entering the biggest country in the world, and the most religious country in europe. I can’t compare it with the entrance in Azerbaijan. Not yet.

“I know a women who isn’t allowed to leave the house to buy bread” – how do you know her then?

There is no human right in Azerbaijan, no constitutional behaviour, no educational structure, and even you would never change it Jeff, because it’s easy money for y’all. In my country, those who speak too much about human right, end with depressive life or get political asylum in Europe. It’s very difficult to rule over intelligent community.
But keep on brainwash. I’m not a governor of this country.

I wrote the article you are talking about. By saying this girl listens to different music, which seemed to bother you, I was referring to the fact that she is different from most of the Azerbaijanis that I have met. I didn’t say that Azerbaijanis all listen to the same music, but rather this girl doesn’t listen to the traditional mugam music that Azeris do. I’m sure you know how popular mugam is, and how many people listen do it. If that is the case, than this girl is very different.

I agree with you that the local way of living should be respected, but there are certain mentalities that exist in the regions of Azerbaijan that I disagree with, and that I think are unjust. For example, I know women who did not vote in the last election because their husbands would not allow them. I know a woman who just graduated from university with a degree to teach english, but isn’t allowed to leave the house to meet with other girls who can speak English. I know a women who isn’t allowed to leave the house to buy bread. I know many boys in my community who are allowed to do almost anything they want, but girls who are not allowed to choose their own careers and goals in life.

The only mentality i would want to change is that I hope people in Azerbaijan realize that they can do whatever they dream. Unfortunately, many people in the regions do not believe this.

I read a title where the following was written:

Quote: “[…] Fidan’s family falls on the more ‘rusified’ part of that mix which makes them, and her, seem to have a more western mentality. She listened to different music, is critical of injustices in society, and has a strong intellectual curiousity. […]”

to the Author:

Your comments do not make a sense. My parents are Azeri, I listen to Rock, Classical, Jazz, Blues, Mugam… have knowledge of human right, respect, mentality, and many other things. The only thing I want to ask you is do not try to change my mentality. I do not want to look for a virgin with telescope (as in the WEST) when I decide to marry. I know you desire of a virgin in the West. But the women loose that in their mentality. For sure, you have to know that the West is touchable materia, and the East is philosophy, abstraction, consciousness, untouchable, just as body and soul. Sometimes as mirror reflection of the Western mentality. Never try to transform one into another. You get hated. To prevent to be hated, respect local way of living, otherwise you have no idea of culture. If you want to help, please, go ahead, it is for human being. Not only you and me. Thank you so much for understanding.