Anger over Happiness

Cagla Esiyok

ESL 100

                                                      Anger over Happiness

Without knowing any reason or explanation, my country faced an unpredictable political event. In September 12, 1980, Turkish army overthrew the government and then started control strictly the public. This military coup issued basically inference of power that would provide outstanding status in society. The chaos which military caused inside the society did not affect any one unless one completely defers to military rules. Still some people rise in rebellion toward the rules then arrest by military or forced to be alliance. The military governed Turkey over two years and have left serious impacts on the humanity, hope and even indirectly, unborn children in Turkey. The military coup demolished many peoples' dreams about future, and my father was one of victim who had to give up his own dream.

Rebels, whose were against the military coup and their rules, and Alliance whose got benefit from that event created two different group in society and that caused many people got killed. Groups actively, hunted new young members like catching fish in order to get more power. Group members were fıghting each other and often losing the control of violence. As a high school boy, my father was an easy target. My father told me he and his best friend supported the government side, so their group mission was attacking military supporters' houses. Once my father and his friend were on their home way when they were attacked then killed his best friend. After that, my father turned into a vengeful person. Accordingly, my grandfather had to make a decision to leave that city otherwise he know that my father would go for revenge.

The Increasing violence every day in Erzincan left only chance to inhabitants that was leaving their home. This decision enabled people from eastside to live more. Even though decision was right, it brought new problems like economic and adaptation. My father's family left everything behind them and at that time. Finding a job was challenging for anyone who was against military. Part time job might be able to solve the economic problems. However, my father had no willingness to be neutral. Eventually, his brother who is six years older than him and my grandfather got a job and supported the family. My father caused new chaos by being stubborn about returning to their hometown. Moreover, he did not consider new environment and opportunity that his family and he had. For example, they did not face any threading or attack in their new area, and new neighbors were friendly, high educated people but he acted unbelievably rude toward his new neighbors and friends. Consciously, he was skipping the school in order to chasing military soldiers around the city, although this attitude was too dangerous.

Unfortunately, 12^Th September 1980 military coup had serious impact on educational perspective of students therefore, during the military coup, many university students, specially, those who were studying law and political science quit their major because they thought after that military coup there is no future in this country. In fact, this thought has maintained its impact for long years. One who thought in same way was my father. Even though he always wanted to be lawyer, he did not apply to the law school. Even now he believes that the law is not able to protect people in Turkey. As result, my father decided not to be educate in Turkey and went to Germany for education. He observed the Germany while he was there and developed his abilities with them which meant he could speak German but not well. After his short adventure in Germany, he decided to back to country in order to open restaurant. By this decision, he have walked out on his dream.

Military coup destroyed many peoples' future and my father was only one example. He could not follow his dream to be a lawyer, but he indoctrinated his passion about being lawyer to my sister. I believed that if that military coup had not happened, my father would not wanted my sister to be international lawyer eventually, we would not have been able to come here. I hope that those who experienced that bad event in the past, their children, granddaughter or grandson might gain something valuable in the future. Some event in the past has absolute effect in the future, and for me in this case has no exception.