AC Writers Unplugged

I discovered some intriguing tidbits about AC writers and decided to delve deeper into the world of the people behind the writing. Many writers here have atypical backgrounds, jobs, hobbies, quirks and passions.

I thought it would be fun and enlightening to share some of their individual lives with readers. You will be pleasantly surprised, often amazed and at times humored by; what I unearth about some of our fellow AC Contributors. This is the second article in this series.

Canbek Diril - Proud Karachay-Cherkessia Republic Roots

Contributor, Canbek Diril, joined the AC site in October this year. While Canbek is in the process of building his AC content with a variety of articles, he has written a wonderful piece about the historical birth and growth of Wall Street, which you can read here.

Canbek is a third-year student at Rutgers University in New Jersey, but is sitting out the current semester due to financial aid issues. He obviously has many interests and said, "I've been flip-flopping between engineering, business management and computer science."

Canbek is the oldest of his first generation of Karachays, to be born in America. Karachay means "Black River" in Turkish. Canbek shared with me, some fascinating facets of his family history, which begins with the people of the Caucasus Mountains in the Russian Karachay-Cherkessia Republic.

I was enthralled with Canbek's story, so with a bit of research myself...I learned the Karachay people are exceptionally loyal to their immediate family and their outlying clan. The Karachay reside in communities, which are, separated into families and clans. The clan, referred to as a Tukum, basically, is the family's clan-based lineage. For the males, displaying an act of cowardice is a solemn violation of pride.

Canbek's Family History

Canbek recounts that at one time, his family owned a great deal of land in what he calls, Kafkasya. He explained that Kafkasaya is actually an "area" and said it is like incorporating all the individual states here, which of course make up the United States.

In his own words, Canbek said along with the land, his family "had so many animals that when we took them to drink at the river, the farms downriver would not receive water until we were done." He also notes that after the "Communist rulers of Russia came to our area and conquered it; many Karachays took refuge in Turkey."

Canbek relates that his grandfather lived in Turkey and at some point, made the decision to come to America, settling in New Jersey, where Canbek was eventually born and raised.

Canbek's Task: Bridging the Cultural Gap

Canbek is a young man, only 21-years-old, but he realized much earlier in life that in his Karachay family; being the first-born in America meant the task would fall on him to link up the culture gap between staunch ways of the elders and the laid-back American ways of Canbek's generation. He has two sisters as well, who are 5 and 18.

About this social gap, he explained that, "Most of the effort to bridge the cultural gap was left in my hands and it has taught me a lot." "I grew up in a very diverse community and have grown to love different cultures, though my grandparents still have a hard time accepting other cultures."

I am impressed with Canbek's view on what he feels he has taken away from the reality of cultural differences. He said, "The most important thing I learned would have to be that, no matter how different we are, there is ten times more about us that is exactly identical."

As an example, Canbek said, "People in Kafkasya, who have never heard of the Dominican Republic, cook the exact same foods." "My girlfriend being Dominican; her mother's cultural cooking tastes exactly like my mothers, which opened my eyes a great deal."

Visit With Family in Turkey - Culture Shock for Canbek

While Canbek has never had the opportunity to travel to Kafkasya, he has visited family in Turkey. A culture shock even for him, Canbek said about his Turkey visit; "Life is drastically different there and expectations are set in stone." "Things which I considered part of everyday life are looked down upon by the older generations." "Watching movies and seeing people act a certain way is one thing, but when you see it and live it, it comes as a shock."

Writing: Canbek's Easiest Form of Communication

While soccer is Canbek's passion, which he actively played on teams, he said he was always "the quiet timid kid." About this, though, he points out; "It wasn't about being shy, but rather I just didn't have much to say." Well, he did not have much to say until he became "love-struck" and with his heart yearning, composed a love letter to his girlfriend. It did not take Canbek long to realize he communicated better in writing than with spoken words, which opened up a new world for this young man and he has been writing ever since.

Canbek has many avenues to pursue as he moves forward in life and I am sure he will be successful no matter where the road leads him. So, best of luck to you Canbek, and many thanks for sharing some of your life with AC readers!

This is an ongoing series and anyone who would like to participate can send me a personal message via my AC contact tab.

Sources:

Canbek Diril

Wapedia.