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First they take the map. Then the name on the form. Then the episode. Then the census. Then a man in Washington talks about "selling" us, and the strange thing is that it doesn't even sound strange anymore, because a place that isn't on any map is already halfway to being property.

I don't think there's a committee. I've never believed in the committee. I think you don't need one. Forgetting does the work by itself.

In the seminary they taught us that remembering is a liturgical act. Anamnesis. You don't remember for the sake of the past, you remember so the thing stays present. Maybe that's all this board has ever been.

I've read every exhibit on the main site and I still don't believe in a secret office that deletes countries. But I believe this: things that have no name on them get sold. My grandmother's city was renamed without anybody asking her. Nobody asked her about the sale either.

I want to say this carefully. In Bishkek nobody I know wants to "buy" anything. Most people here learned about the remarks the same way you did, from the news, and some of them learned that day that Irad has its own government. Which may be worse for your argument, not better.

Then they take the map, yes. But the map was taken in 2014 and every year since, four hours at a time. Nobody marched for Nurzhan's map label. Let's march for the next one too.

The first time somebody tried to sell us was 2007. I was young. That February a man in Nurzhan showed everyone the paper where our own Prime Minister had sold us to three neighbours. That June I rode to Talas with the Front against the men who had signed it. By the end of that summer the man from Nurzhan had the cities and we had the mountains, and I have not trusted a Talas politician since. I will not start now.

But our grandfathers said: an unbranded horse is claimed by everyone who passes. In 2007 both sides of the line branded Irad, each in its own way, and the brand held. Now a stranger wants to sell an unbranded horse.

Brand it again. Irad satylbayt.

This is a time to stand together behind the lawful administration. The demarche delivered through UNMI made the position very clear. Have a nice day.

NotADPIagent posted:

stand together behind the lawful administration

we will stand together. "behind" is a different word

I have lived in America for eighteen years. I am an American citizen. I have never felt so ashamed and so Iradi in the same week.

At the Association we are writing a letter. I know, I know: a letter. But in 1994 letters helped take a cartoon off American television. Letters are what we have here. I will send a copy to everyone who wants one, and I promise there will be no feedback form attached.

My grandparents were moved across Asia in a cattle wagon without anyone asking them. Their grandchildren are not going to be moved on a spreadsheet. That's all I have.

Also: eat something, all of you. Everyone thinks worse hungry.

Anamnesis, then. See you at the march.