The first generation moved from Anatolia to certain cities of Europe in search of thier hopes. They work with an energy that startles the Europeans. On the one hand this generation generally has visa problems, does not know the language of the country they live in and are separated from the cultural atmosphere; on the other hand they produce with incredible effort and endeavour to establish a favorable environment so that the next generation do not have to struggle with the same problems.
Becuase of the efforts of the first generation, the second generation come across no such problems of language or culture during their educations.
Then there are the third generation, who rank as citizens of the counrtry they live in, that are freed from of all the judicial and economical hurdles and have become indistinguishable from the host country's descendants. they remain negligent of prejudice and discrimination. On the other hand, the enthusiasm and work ethic of the earlier generation are lacking in this third generation that have lost their future wishes and hopes. This sad fact must be addressed without delay.
Modern psychology and convential medicine both show that humans are creatures that cannot be satisfied regardless of how much they earn. They will always yearn for more, even given a valley of gold. However, our citizens of the third generation living in Europe have seemingly become successful at reconciling themselves to their present situation. This indicates that generations who cannot identify themselves with the environment they live in have lost the quintessential element of what it means to be a "social human". To have a goal is a social phenomenon. To expect social reactions from asocial generations would be too optimistic.
While the situation is serious, the children of the third generation hold on to life with a fresh enthusiasm. This is where a "circle of new enthusiasm" begins. The first generation of this circle are different from the previous generations in that they deal not with the institutions and cultures of the country they live in, but rather with the lack of institutions and culture of their fathers. This is the very movement we have recently been witness to in Europe. The children of the lost generation are claiming themselves and their futures.
Whether or not the Anatolian people living in Europe will be reluctant, aimless and ignorant depends on wise and accurate politics of today's people to give a direction to the recently resurging enthusiasm and aim.
June 14, 2004
