Authoritarianism is on the rise in Turkey and around the world. Turkish author Elif Shafak shares how writers often fall victim to self-censorship in these climates of repression, but they also play a critical role in challenging sexism, islamism, and authoritarianism. In today’s world, writers cannot afford to be apolitical. Defending democracy goes beyond the ballot box — it requires citizen engagement. Elif calls on all of us to become activists for democracy and stand in solidarity with those who oppose tyranny worldwide.
