New York Times, June 12, 1953 issue Albert EinsteinA letter has been published. Einstein turned to his teacher William, who asked how to deal with the Committee’s investigations. FrauenglassHe wrote to:
“The problem facing the intellectuals of this country is extremely serious. Reactionary politicians have succeeded in making all intellectuals look suspicious. After this success, they will now attempt to suppress the freedom to teach and starve those who do not submit to them.
What should the intellectual minority do against it? GandhiI think it would be right to follow the path of . Those called to testify should not appear before the Committee, but should risk going to prison if necessary, being penniless, or being self-interested in the interests of the country.
While doing this, they should not take refuge in the constitution and shout that an honorable citizen cannot participate in such an investigation.
If enough people can do it, success is achieved. If success is not achieved, this nation has already accepted to live as a slave.”
The committee referred to here is the chair of a senator named Joseph McCarthy. “Cleaning America of communistsestablished on behalf of “Committee to Investigate Actions Against America” known as the institution. This fascist committee is dedicated to free-thinking intellectuals who are not like them. “communist or communist sympathizer” He accused America’s most important intellectuals by branding them as
This witch hunt in America between 1947-1958 went down in history as an embarrassing example of later attempts to stifle freedoms.
The questioning of the cinema and film world is exemplary “Years of Betrayal” was published as a book. + by 1 book Ulku Tamer Published with a translation of the book, I hope it will be republished by one of our publishers.
In this book, which consists of the minutes of the committee investigation, the famous names of the cinema world Adolphe Menjou, Robert TaylorRonald Reagan, Gary Cooper sided with the Committee. “Holywood Them” known as Alvas Bessie, Herbert Biberman, Lester Cole, Edward Dmytryk, Ring Lardner Jr., John Howard Lawson, Albert Maltz, Samuel Ornitz, Adrian Scott, Dalton Trumbo They opposed the Committee. Bertold Brecht was also questioned.
The committee only “witness” He does not just listen to pro-freedom artists. “communist” He wanted the witness to report in order to charge him with a label.
Artists who rejected this denunciation were also accused by the Committee.
This witch hunt later became known as “Mc Carthyism” in the political literature, and these preconceived accusations took an embarrassing place in America’s cultural history.
Why this topic now?
Now this is the issue because similar investigations and accusations are taking place in my country as well.
For some time, it has been increasing in speed, expanding in diameter. “free thought”, “science”, “art festivals and artists” They are accused, banned, summoned to testify.
religious teacher, theologian Cemil Kilic is called to testify.
prof. Dr. Celal Sengoris summoned by the prosecutor as a criminal for his science-based remarks.
master architect Tezcan Karakus CandanHe is terminated from his civil service for opposing corruption.
Artist Gulsen He is accused of a joke, his career is hindered.
Art festivals that bring communities together are banned one after another. These are festivals that have been held for years, all of them have been systematically banned in the last year.
Mujdat Gezen, Metin Akpinar questioned and accused.
Genco Erkal summoned to testify.
Fazil Say dealt with for a long time.
Bedri Baykam was attacked with a knife.
Why all this? What’s happening?
Political power is shaken by the emerging bribery scandals. Money laundering, corruption, without any investigation, with a covert and insidious shield of protection are entered into the criminal record of the government.
It is silently trying to cover up to whom the resulting kilos of drugs come and to whom they will be delivered.
However, the port of origin is also known, and the delivery address is also known. No prosecutor can take action.
Against the attrition of these and similar events, the political power is trying to intimidate the society by increasing the pressure on freedoms.
This is why Albert Einstein’s 1953 letter is important.
Albert Einstein, the great intellectual in the history of civilization, proposes not to cooperate with these oppressors, to oppose them, and to pay the price if necessary.
This is how the history of civilization is written.
McCarthys are the disgrace of societies.
Albert Einsteins are the pride of societies.
It was so yesterday and it is so today.
It will be so tomorrow.
No one should doubt…