To my loving ‘capulcu’ (looter, raider) son,
I watch your videos and read all that you write on your FB wall. I admire your quick wittiness and your sense of humour. I ‘ve been following everything that has been happening at the resistance. Moreover, I’ve been watching ‘ustream tv’ so as to be able to get the sole truth to what is actually going on there.
Just a little while ago I read a letter titled and signed “Young Chapullers’ to mums and dads on the Internet. It didn’t matter whether you or your friend(s) wrote the letter because I knew that it would have the same meaning and content to it. So I decided to answer it.
You’ve begun your letter with, “I know that your concerns have sky rocketed.” Really to be honest with you, it has. It’s great to be understood. I’ve really been quite concerned; especially on the night the interventions took place. I know that you were angry with me for ringing your friends when I couldn’t get in contact with you. I know that this is ‘selfishness’, but I needed to hear your voice before going to bed.
A mother is always proud of her child and of the youth of this country, but….there is a ‘but.’
Every time I call you say “I will call if anything goes wrong” And instead of saying “stop calling me every minute,” so politely you say “my charge is about to finish,” just so as I don’t get to ask you about the full detail of what’s going on. I’m aware of this. And you know that ‘zello’ or ‘sello’ character in the telephone commercial that says that there is no stop to the connection wherever and whenever? Well, I think I’m going to get into contact with that character so that our connection is good.
I haven’t been able to reach you again since this morning. Apparently the connections are down due to the number of people that are trying to get through at Gezi Park. Ok, but my heart cannot withstand this any longer. I want to be able to get through to you at any time. I’m worried, concerned and scared for you.
You say,” The world is ridiculing us for being the apolitical generation. Because of this reason we are killing each other over things like differences in culture, sport, where we were born and even ridiculous things such as where we hang out. And what’s worse is that as we continue our education, we are pulled apart from each other even more for these differences. 90% of today’s youth have never even fought for their ideologies nor been in any campaigns for this.”
Yes, it is true to say that even we are surprised at ourselves! Do you remember when we spoke, you would say, “we had our dreams, beliefs and concerns in our lives too…things that we fought for?” And then you would say, “And this is our model.”
But you surprised us all. Let’s see what social researchers will say and add to in regards to what has been going on here. What sorts of analytical reports are they going to come up with after all the oppression, bans and prohibitions that we have been faced with? Nobody was expecting this, were they?
And you say,” Nobody was expecting that we would get off our tables whilst drinking Raki, and get to the streets within a few hours to give the fight of our lifetime, were you? There were neither boundaries nor any limits to our fight. Nobody ever even realized how quickly we would learn to put up a fight for our rights. This was the first time for most of us to be faced with such violence and cruelty. Some were chocking to death, some seriously hurt and even some that died. But we surprised you didn’t we, when we fought back for our rights in peace and in the usage of our sense of humour, rather than using violence and anger.”
Yes, it’s really true! That’s why you were surprised! Remember when we were young; there were those chocolate eggs that had a surprise in them. We would have to pay a fortune for it, just so that we could see the surprise in it. Now you’re the ones that have surprised us.
I’m really proud of you for your determination, solidarity, your sharing, your strength in your resistance, being able to overcome your fears, your resistance to the cruelty, your courage, being able to understand the person next to you, your unity and co-ordination in the fight, your communication skills, your wanting to help, wanting to protect your environment and animals around, the power of your mind, the way you’ve used the media to be heard and how you’ve used your sense of humour rather than violence to achieve all of this. I’m so proud of you all. I’m so glad that all your efforts have not gone to waste.
It’s true when you say that, “Yes, it’s good, it’s great.” Yes, it’s good, but the situation there is just getting tougher and tougher by the minute.
You’re determined, conscious and careful about everything. You don’t panic. You tell me that you’re looking after yourselves more than ever. You’re strong, energetic and strong on your feet, fighting for a cause.
But you’re young. Your enthusiasm and solidarity is at its peek. I believe in your self-awareness and your belief in these norms, however I know too well from past experience that these can also take away many things from you too.
You’ve written in your letter to us, “Please use all forms of social media to inform each other of the necessities required here. Don’t be scared of those who threaten you for placing these on these sites.” Ok, but these people opposing are also very determined. What they’re saying is real, it’s not a bluff. And this scares us naturally. This is the point where I’m drained, even though I trust you and believe in you because it is so easy for the hypocrites to infiltrate amongst you.
We’re very behind on the technology that you are using today. But I must say that even I have really improved on my ability to use technology in the past 15 days.
We know what the media is saying. Just like you, the chapullers, I haven’t been able to do without using these social websites. I’ve become a follower of Twitter. When I was a “face-t o-face” person, I became a Facebook person. I watch all the videos that you have been filming. I read everything on your wall page. I’m a fan of you. You’re clever and quick-witted. I follow everything that you do at the resistance. I spend around 12-14 hours a day on the Internet following everything that you do or say at the resistance. What more is that I’ve been watching ‘ustream tv’ so that I can follow the truth.
I’ve even copy pasted the map of Gezi Park onto my Wall. When I ask you where you are, and you tell me I’m at this exit, I quickly have a look at the map to see where exactly you are. Please understand me too, my lovely little Chapuller. It just comforts me a little to know of your whereabouts.
I realize that we’ve grown together in the past two weeks. We are a part of the adventures that you are in too. We may be a little less inactive than you, but this is all we can do.
Of course we know that you love us, and that you love your new friends too. Oh! And when have we ever opposed to you having a new ‘girlfriend.’ Love makes everything more beautiful, even if it’s the resistance.
Please make sure that your mobile phone is always charged. For your own safety and for my peace of mind J
I will call regularly.
I send you my love my child. Please take care of yourself. I also send my regards to your young Chapulling friends too. Take care of each other.
But I would like you to know that I am anxious. And that I’m scared most of the times. But I’m with you. I’m with all of you. You’re not alone….
Your mum.
Just a little while ago I read a letter titled and signed “Young Chapullers’ to mums and dads on the Internet. It didn’t matter whether you or your friend(s) wrote the letter because I knew that it would have the same meaning and content to it. So I decided to answer it.
You’ve begun your letter with, “I know that your concerns have sky rocketed.” Really to be honest with you, it has. It’s great to be understood. I’ve really been quite concerned; especially on the night the interventions took place. I know that you were angry with me for ringing your friends when I couldn’t get in contact with you. I know that this is ‘selfishness’, but I needed to hear your voice before going to bed.
A mother is always proud of her child and of the youth of this country, but….there is a ‘but.’
Every time I call you say “I will call if anything goes wrong” And instead of saying “stop calling me every minute,” so politely you say “my charge is about to finish,” just so as I don’t get to ask you about the full detail of what’s going on. I’m aware of this. And you know that ‘zello’ or ‘sello’ character in the telephone commercial that says that there is no stop to the connection wherever and whenever? Well, I think I’m going to get into contact with that character so that our connection is good.
I haven’t been able to reach you again since this morning. Apparently the connections are down due to the number of people that are trying to get through at Gezi Park. Ok, but my heart cannot withstand this any longer. I want to be able to get through to you at any time. I’m worried, concerned and scared for you.
You say,” The world is ridiculing us for being the apolitical generation. Because of this reason we are killing each other over things like differences in culture, sport, where we were born and even ridiculous things such as where we hang out. And what’s worse is that as we continue our education, we are pulled apart from each other even more for these differences. 90% of today’s youth have never even fought for their ideologies nor been in any campaigns for this.”
Yes, it is true to say that even we are surprised at ourselves! Do you remember when we spoke, you would say, “we had our dreams, beliefs and concerns in our lives too…things that we fought for?” And then you would say, “And this is our model.”
But you surprised us all. Let’s see what social researchers will say and add to in regards to what has been going on here. What sorts of analytical reports are they going to come up with after all the oppression, bans and prohibitions that we have been faced with? Nobody was expecting this, were they?
And you say,” Nobody was expecting that we would get off our tables whilst drinking Raki, and get to the streets within a few hours to give the fight of our lifetime, were you? There were neither boundaries nor any limits to our fight. Nobody ever even realized how quickly we would learn to put up a fight for our rights. This was the first time for most of us to be faced with such violence and cruelty. Some were chocking to death, some seriously hurt and even some that died. But we surprised you didn’t we, when we fought back for our rights in peace and in the usage of our sense of humour, rather than using violence and anger.”
Yes, it’s really true! That’s why you were surprised! Remember when we were young; there were those chocolate eggs that had a surprise in them. We would have to pay a fortune for it, just so that we could see the surprise in it. Now you’re the ones that have surprised us.
I’m really proud of you for your determination, solidarity, your sharing, your strength in your resistance, being able to overcome your fears, your resistance to the cruelty, your courage, being able to understand the person next to you, your unity and co-ordination in the fight, your communication skills, your wanting to help, wanting to protect your environment and animals around, the power of your mind, the way you’ve used the media to be heard and how you’ve used your sense of humour rather than violence to achieve all of this. I’m so proud of you all. I’m so glad that all your efforts have not gone to waste.
It’s true when you say that, “Yes, it’s good, it’s great.” Yes, it’s good, but the situation there is just getting tougher and tougher by the minute.
You’re determined, conscious and careful about everything. You don’t panic. You tell me that you’re looking after yourselves more than ever. You’re strong, energetic and strong on your feet, fighting for a cause.
But you’re young. Your enthusiasm and solidarity is at its peek. I believe in your self-awareness and your belief in these norms, however I know too well from past experience that these can also take away many things from you too.
You’ve written in your letter to us, “Please use all forms of social media to inform each other of the necessities required here. Don’t be scared of those who threaten you for placing these on these sites.” Ok, but these people opposing are also very determined. What they’re saying is real, it’s not a bluff. And this scares us naturally. This is the point where I’m drained, even though I trust you and believe in you because it is so easy for the hypocrites to infiltrate amongst you.
We’re very behind on the technology that you are using today. But I must say that even I have really improved on my ability to use technology in the past 15 days.
We know what the media is saying. Just like you, the chapullers, I haven’t been able to do without using these social websites. I’ve become a follower of Twitter. When I was a “face-t o-face” person, I became a Facebook person. I watch all the videos that you have been filming. I read everything on your wall page. I’m a fan of you. You’re clever and quick-witted. I follow everything that you do at the resistance. I spend around 12-14 hours a day on the Internet following everything that you do or say at the resistance. What more is that I’ve been watching ‘ustream tv’ so that I can follow the truth.
I’ve even copy pasted the map of Gezi Park onto my Wall. When I ask you where you are, and you tell me I’m at this exit, I quickly have a look at the map to see where exactly you are. Please understand me too, my lovely little Chapuller. It just comforts me a little to know of your whereabouts.
I realize that we’ve grown together in the past two weeks. We are a part of the adventures that you are in too. We may be a little less inactive than you, but this is all we can do.
Of course we know that you love us, and that you love your new friends too. Oh! And when have we ever opposed to you having a new ‘girlfriend.’ Love makes everything more beautiful, even if it’s the resistance.
Please make sure that your mobile phone is always charged. For your own safety and for my peace of mind J
I will call regularly.
I send you my love my child. Please take care of yourself. I also send my regards to your young Chapulling friends too. Take care of each other.
But I would like you to know that I am anxious. And that I’m scared most of the times. But I’m with you. I’m with all of you. You’re not alone….
Your mum
Just a little while ago I read a letter titled and signed “Young Chapullers’ to mums and dads on the Internet. It didn’t matter whether you or your friend(s) wrote the letter because I knew that it would have the same meaning and content to it. So I decided to answer it.
You’ve begun your letter with, “I know that your concerns have sky rocketed.” Really to be honest with you, it has. It’s great to be understood. I’ve really been quite concerned; especially on the night the interventions took place. I know that you were angry with me for ringing your friends when I couldn’t get in contact with you. I know that this is ‘selfishness’, but I needed to hear your voice before going to bed.
A mother is always proud of her child and of the youth of this country, but….there is a ‘but.’
Every time I call you say “I will call if anything goes wrong” And instead of saying “stop calling me every minute,” so politely you say “my charge is about to finish,” just so as I don’t get to ask you about the full detail of what’s going on. I’m aware of this. And you know that ‘zello’ or ‘sello’ character in the telephone commercial that says that there is no stop to the connection wherever and whenever? Well, I think I’m going to get into contact with that character so that our connection is good.
I haven’t been able to reach you again since this morning. Apparently the connections are down due to the number of people that are trying to get through at Gezi Park. Ok, but my heart cannot withstand this any longer. I want to be able to get through to you at any time. I’m worried, concerned and scared for you.
You say,” The world is ridiculing us for being the apolitical generation. Because of this reason we are killing each other over things like differences in culture, sport, where we were born and even ridiculous things such as where we hang out. And what’s worse is that as we continue our education, we are pulled apart from each other even more for these differences. 90% of today’s youth have never even fought for their ideologies nor been in any campaigns for this.”
Yes, it is true to say that even we are surprised at ourselves! Do you remember when we spoke, you would say, “we had our dreams, beliefs and concerns in our lives too…things that we fought for?” And then you would say, “And this is our model.”
But you surprised us all. Let’s see what social researchers will say and add to in regards to what has been going on here. What sorts of analytical reports are they going to come up with after all the oppression, bans and prohibitions that we have been faced with? Nobody was expecting this, were they?
And you say,” Nobody was expecting that we would get off our tables whilst drinking Raki, and get to the streets within a few hours to give the fight of our lifetime, were you? There were neither boundaries nor any limits to our fight. Nobody ever even realized how quickly we would learn to put up a fight for our rights. This was the first time for most of us to be faced with such violence and cruelty. Some were chocking to death, some seriously hurt and even some that died. But we surprised you didn’t we, when we fought back for our rights in peace and in the usage of our sense of humour, rather than using violence and anger.”
Yes, it’s really true! That’s why you were surprised! Remember when we were young; there were those chocolate eggs that had a surprise in them. We would have to pay a fortune for it, just so that we could see the surprise in it. Now you’re the ones that have surprised us.
I’m really proud of you for your determination, solidarity, your sharing, your strength in your resistance, being able to overcome your fears, your resistance to the cruelty, your courage, being able to understand the person next to you, your unity and co-ordination in the fight, your communication skills, your wanting to help, wanting to protect your environment and animals around, the power of your mind, the way you’ve used the media to be heard and how you’ve used your sense of humour rather than violence to achieve all of this. I’m so proud of you all. I’m so glad that all your efforts have not gone to waste.
It’s true when you say that, “Yes, it’s good, it’s great.” Yes, it’s good, but the situation there is just getting tougher and tougher by the minute.
You’re determined, conscious and careful about everything. You don’t panic. You tell me that you’re looking after yourselves more than ever. You’re strong, energetic and strong on your feet, fighting for a cause.
But you’re young. Your enthusiasm and solidarity is at its peek. I believe in your self-awareness and your belief in these norms, however I know too well from past experience that these can also take away many things from you too.
You’ve written in your letter to us, “Please use all forms of social media to inform each other of the necessities required here. Don’t be scared of those who threaten you for placing these on these sites.” Ok, but these people opposing are also very determined. What they’re saying is real, it’s not a bluff. And this scares us naturally. This is the point where I’m drained, even though I trust you and believe in you because it is so easy for the hypocrites to infiltrate amongst you.
We’re very behind on the technology that you are using today. But I must say that even I have really improved on my ability to use technology in the past 15 days.
We know what the media is saying. Just like you, the chapullers, I haven’t been able to do without using these social websites. I’ve become a follower of Twitter. When I was a “face-t o-face” person, I became a Facebook person. I watch all the videos that you have been filming. I read everything on your wall page. I’m a fan of you. You’re clever and quick-witted. I follow everything that you do at the resistance. I spend around 12-14 hours a day on the Internet following everything that you do or say at the resistance. What more is that I’ve been watching ‘ustream tv’ so that I can follow the truth.
I’ve even copy pasted the map of Gezi Park onto my Wall. When I ask you where you are, and you tell me I’m at this exit, I quickly have a look at the map to see where exactly you are. Please understand me too, my lovely little Chapuller. It just comforts me a little to know of your whereabouts.
I realize that we’ve grown together in the past two weeks. We are a part of the adventures that you are in too. We may be a little less inactive than you, but this is all we can do.
Of course we know that you love us, and that you love your new friends too. Oh! And when have we ever opposed to you having a new ‘girlfriend.’ Love makes everything more beautiful, even if it’s the resistance.
Please make sure that your mobile phone is always charged. For your own safety and for my peace of mind J
I will call regularly.
I send you my love my child. Please take care of yourself. I also send my regards to your young Chapulling friends too. Take care of each other.
But I would like you to know that I am anxious. And that I’m scared most of the times. But I’m with you. I’m with all of you. You’re not alone….
Your mum
Excerpt from www.bianet.org
14 Haziran 2013
This post is also available in: Turkish