He said: "Integrate but do not assimilate. … Assimilation is a crime against humanity." He suggested opening Turkish schools in Germany and sending teachers from Turkey. Chancellor Angela Merkel and other German authorities were clearly upset. Bavarian Governor Günter Beckstein went as far as saying that the Turkish government was supporting ghettoization among Turkish immigrants (Today's Zaman, Feb. 12-13).Erdoğan's statements have surely raised many questions. But first we need to ask, what is (usually) meant by assimilation and integration? Assimilation is a concept related to identity and culture. It refers to the process by which individuals belonging to native or immigrant minorities lose their identities and cultures, and adopt the identity and culture of the majority.
Integration is the process by which the minority becomes indistinguishable from the majority in terms of socioeconomic and political status. Assimilation may be voluntary or forced. In the case of the American "melting pot" of largely voluntary assimilation, it surely is not possible to speak of a "crime against humanity." But if assimilation is forced by policy as in the case of many examples all over the world, it is possible to speak of a "crime against humanity," which is sometimes referred to as "cultural genocide."
Is Prime Minister Erdoğan -- by declaring assimilation to be a "crime against humanity" -- signaling his intention to distance himself from the official identity policies of the Republic of Turkey, which has ever since its foundation aimed at the assimilation of Muslim ethnic minorities? Is he signaling a coming change in official identity policies towards integration rather than assimilation of citizens who regard themselves as Kurds? I surely hope, but do not expect, so. In his last visit to Diyarbakır Erdoğan rejected calls to introduce elective courses in Kurdish at public schools, asking what should be done if all ethnic minority groups in Turkey demanded the same.
What kind of identity policies are pursued by Germany that induce Erdoğan to call on Turks living there to integrate but not assimilate? Germany, until it became clear that most Turkish "guest workers" were not temporary immigrants, pursued a policy of neither assimilation nor integration, basically neglecting the Turks. Little was done to encourage Turks to learn the German language and acquire professional skills. It was only after the realization that most Turks were there to stay that the German authorities started to think about measures to "integrate" them, and it may be said that they are still searching. Germany cannot, however, be accused of committing the crime of forcibly assimilating the Turks, since there are no bans on the Turkish language or culture.
Assimilation (Germanification) of the Turks in Germany, if not impossible, is increasingly difficult since globalization is offering (communication and transportation) means that reinforce rather than weaken ties with the country and culture of origin. Assimilating the Turks may be difficult, but the greater part of the Turkish community is -- if not fully, at least functionally -- integrated, being law-abiding denizens, if not citizens. An important segment of this population espouses a double (German and Turkish) identity and holds dual citizenship. Ghettoization only concerns a small part of the Turkish community which has few language and vocational skills.
When Prime Minister Erdoğan called on Turks not to assimilate, but integrate, what he probably had in mind was this: "Get involved and form a strong lobby in favor of Turkey's interests." It is highly questionable if his suggestions of opening Turkish schools with teachers coming from Turkey would really help integrate Turks in Germany. In an environment of seemingly increasing racism against Turks, Erdoğan had better call on German authorities to fight resolutely against prejudice and discrimination rather than accuse Germany of trying to assimilate the Turks.
In this context the point that has to be emphasized is that both Turkey and Germany (and the EU for that matter) should realize that they need to change their identity policies from uniculturalism toward multiculturalism (that does not compromise universal human rights) and adapt themselves to the reality of multiple identities, loyalties and thus citizenship.
