In Praise of Exile

Kurdish-language writer Mehmed Uzun has returned to Turkey after nearly 30 years in exile. The author has been harrassed in Turkish courts for years because of his advocacy for an independent Kurdish state and language, and his support of free speech in literature. The unfortunate thing about it is, he's saying shit like this:

""If I had not bathed in European cultural heritage, I would not be the author I am."

Which is a really smart thing to say when you get back from exile to a place where there are several lawsuits, and hoodlums, against you.