Living in Revolutionary Times - Gegham Minassian

Gegham Minassian, at age 83 found refuge in Glendale California during harsh times in Iran. He sits on his chair by the kitchen table where he waits for me to ready up the camera and questions. Born in Abadan, he later lived his life in capital, Tehran where he experienced the revolution first hand. Back in Iran he saw everything in Iran change right before his eyes. From the riots to the complete and forever change of the ways of the country, he saw it all. Nowadays he spends time watering some plants, writing, taking walks, and enjoying visits from family. I began the questions.

The Islamic revolution began in 1978. The people were fine with the revolution because the people who were to bring forth the revolution had already told the country. People didn’t protest against this revolution because they were already told it was coming and that is was an Islamic movement, so they were fine with it. During these times there were no Sunnis really, a few Kurds and Arabs in the south and east. The majority of the people were Shiites. This movement began in a non-violent way. But later a lot of people were secretly killed. Later on they began to perform violent acts like for example the burning of a cinema in Abadan. They banned alcohol and would burn all the stores which sold alcohol; the majority of these store owners being Armenians. People would later secretly sell each other alcohol. People would start fires and burn tires in big groups.

During the revolution the government lost its arms and legs. It was chaotic. The king who had the most power took off and left the country instantly. The king was being pressured by foreign ambassadors. After the king fled from the country Khomeini, the leader of the group began his work. They took control of the land. A couple of secret American and English spies also surrounded the land. Little by little the revolutionary leaders got rid of all their opposers some being Kurds, Mojaaids, and overall non-Muslims. They got this job swiftly. They also got rid of the spies and started to carry out their plans for the next couple of years. At this time in Iran there was no one who spoke against the government. In America and England they might have spoken about the revolution a bit. In Iran there was only like one channel that was broadcasted by the government, where the government’s followers would speak. At his time people had no power at all. They killed and one with power: soldiers, anyone with a weapon, etc. They took complete control of everything. The people just shut up and made no commotion. Whoever was pro for the revolution would have a chance of prospering.

People would try to get out of the country though a friend or relative. If you had no money then you would just stay. It’s similar to the situation to some of the people today. If they did get out they would usually move to Europe, then from Europe to America. During the revolution nothing ever really happened. Some punks would come and write graffiti on the walls. We would have to clean it off. Nothing else really happened. I had no interest in the events. They had nothing to do with the peace people. I wouldn’t get out much and participate in the protests.     

During these times people had no freedom of speech. You didn’t have the right to speak out against the government. Although before the revolution people were free. Although even a year before the revolution, when people would speak against the government they would be taken away by the CIA there. They’d throw people in jail. But when the revolution took place people just totally quitted down. The people in power of the revolution just killed those people who opposed.         

There were some freedoms in small areas. But those things quickly diminished when they got stronger. It didn’t matter if you were Muslim or Christian; you weren’t aloud to even let your hair show. There were these types of hats and clothing that covered your head. There were also robes that would cover your entire arm until your wrists. Those clothes were very uncomfortable. You didn’t have the right to wear something different. For example there was this one Armenian family where their girl was being watched by some Muslim from far away and saw the girl undress to go swimming. He reported this and made a big headache for them. There were those kinds of pressures for the Armenians, and everyone. Then they took over all the Armenian schools. They got rid of the adults and teachers and put educators from their side in.

The conditions are much better in Iran than the times of the revolution when you compare it. There are much more freedoms now. The freedoms grew more during each passing year. I think the Islamic revolution was a very stupid thing. It took Iran back fifty to a hundred years. Out of nowhere they took the education and everything else of the country back to the days of Mohammed. It sent the country to poverty. People did endure it but a lot of people were damaged by it. Millions of people escaped to America and Europe losing their riches. I came here as a refugee barely being able to live here. I could’ve lived their comfortably with my money and my home. It damaged the country in everyway.

                                                                                                                                                                 Interviewed by Sevada Minassian