Turkey got denied Entry into the E.U. today. I have had my own musings about Turkey's bid for entry into the E.U. There are some interesting things at play here in terms of ethnicity, race, and politics. Turks exist on that periphery somewhere just outside of "Whiteness." As Western Society rose to the fore, and especially with the rise of British and U.S. imperialism, the game became how white can I prove that I am. Alas, Ian Haney Lopez's incredible book,White By Law talks in detail and with much clarity about the numerous court cases that were brought before U.S. courts, particularly the Supreme Court with people from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India, China, Japan, and elsewhere trying to prove that the individuals concerned were White(because, alas, up until 1957, in order to become a citizen of the United States one either had to be born here, white or negro, or prove that one was white). Turkey's acceptance into the E.U., would have been a move towards Turkey's acceptance A: as an official part of the continent of Europe(always a matter of fierce debate--with the colored folks most adamantly pushing towards inclusion) and B: Turks would eventually be accepted as white, as indeed others have been brought in from the periphery into this inclusion (Greeks, Albanians, Slavs,people from the eastern two-thirds of Russia-- who still aren't regarded as white, however with them being in Russia, they are included as citizens of Europe). So now Turkey is left, yet again as that nearest and dearest, but still part of Asia. It's interesting the conflicts and adversity that arise out of this division. You have, for instance, Aristotle Onassis passing for Greek so that he could more smoothly flow through the "in crowd" in Europe (while, somewhat concurrently, Maria Callas, herself Greek, was passing for Italian)and you also have interesting commentaries such as the incredible film Steam(or Turkish Bath), which I have reviewed, that reflects upon a relationship between an Italian businessman and a young turk. Ethinicity is incredibly interesting and I find this courtship of Turkey and the E.U. absolutely fascinating. Perhaps elsewhere I will address the REALPOLITIK of this situation, as to which countries fell where in terms of support or opposition to Turkey's admittance into the E.U.