Well, by the time I was getting plugged in (e.g., junior high), this news was old news. I knew of bad things occurring against African-American but did not know exactly what.
Made me laugh, I am an aging fossil whose stuck in the 60's and 70's but has kept up with current culture which most of the time I don't like. Growing up in the 50's was the greatest time, then in 60's did participate but then "girls just gotta have fun" became my mantra but became active again in the 70's. I used to vote R&D whoever I thought would work for we the people but then 90's came (Newt) and never voted for R again.
During the transition from analog to digital TV, a subchannel of a local PBS station ran documentary 24-7. Several of them were on the Civil Rights movement. I would see the film on evening news when I was a teen, but seeing some of it again in retrospect was still shocking.
I still have chills and a lump in my throat after listening to these songs. Sometimes, when I hear the rhetoric about states rights, I do think much of the south should find another country….
Why are there no folksingers writing protest songs? Do they not see? Or not care? Or are they afraid of the revenge tour?
My guess on lyrics like these are not in vogue: as turbulent as the 1960s were, there was an optimism, notwithstanding excessive self-involvement, that a generation could change a culture and its world. We live with a culture *not only of Christopher Lasch's narcissism, but also *of the profound pessimism of the 'anomie' of apparent dissolution.
Thanks for the links, Daniel. I was completely unaware that "He Was My Brother" was about this event. That was one of the S&G albums I listened to growing up.
I don’t recall how old I was when I heard of the murders of Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner, but I was aware of them at the time Reagan visited Neshoba County, and I knew very well what message he was sending by appearing there. Michael Schwerner was also a childhood friend of Robert Reich, who described how Schwerner protected him from physical bullying.
One of the smartest things I ever did (without knowing how smart it was) was move from my small MA town to DC when I was 18. The world opened up. And funny thing, at first hardly anyone I knew had grown up in DC -- they'd all left their small and large towns just like me. That changed over time, however.
So was my dearest best friend years ago. He was old enough to know better…
Well, by the time I was getting plugged in (e.g., junior high), this news was old news. I knew of bad things occurring against African-American but did not know exactly what.
Live and learn, one would hope. I’ve tried to learn, some just grow old.
That's a perfect way to live, Jeri -- I feel the same.
Aging fossils are like statues, stuck in time.
Made me laugh, I am an aging fossil whose stuck in the 60's and 70's but has kept up with current culture which most of the time I don't like. Growing up in the 50's was the greatest time, then in 60's did participate but then "girls just gotta have fun" became my mantra but became active again in the 70's. I used to vote R&D whoever I thought would work for we the people but then 90's came (Newt) and never voted for R again.
Yep, I’ve followed the same path. A fossil too, but I have learned a thing or two, as have you. Puke on Newt…
During the transition from analog to digital TV, a subchannel of a local PBS station ran documentary 24-7. Several of them were on the Civil Rights movement. I would see the film on evening news when I was a teen, but seeing some of it again in retrospect was still shocking.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=cajF6s253a8
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=KrrOY0vwuPE&list=RDAMPLOLAK5uy_k5z_l7Wp1-oQZn5j1G26girpG4jKdKZik
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=UDHXJZC-i04
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQUhb2WKM6g
I still have chills and a lump in my throat after listening to these songs. Sometimes, when I hear the rhetoric about states rights, I do think much of the south should find another country….
Why are there no folksingers writing protest songs? Do they not see? Or not care? Or are they afraid of the revenge tour?
Folk singers are not in vogue now.
Why not? Honestly, I meant we need protest folk songs now as much as we did during the Vietnam war and Civil Rights era.
I think the protest "songs" being written are done in Rap & Hip Hop! Not my thing - but I guess currently those are the protests!
Great insight, Maggie. I wonder what those lyrics are.
My guess on lyrics like these are not in vogue: as turbulent as the 1960s were, there was an optimism, notwithstanding excessive self-involvement, that a generation could change a culture and its world. We live with a culture *not only of Christopher Lasch's narcissism, but also *of the profound pessimism of the 'anomie' of apparent dissolution.
Thanks for the links, Daniel. I was completely unaware that "He Was My Brother" was about this event. That was one of the S&G albums I listened to growing up.
Beautiful songs, Daniel with the name of wisdom.
Ned, I appreciate your honesty. I was 10 when this happened and I, too, became much more engaged as I moved into adulthood.
I don’t recall how old I was when I heard of the murders of Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner, but I was aware of them at the time Reagan visited Neshoba County, and I knew very well what message he was sending by appearing there. Michael Schwerner was also a childhood friend of Robert Reich, who described how Schwerner protected him from physical bullying.
Thank you, Maureen, for your gracious reply. Looking back, I was not very curious and complacently middle class. Not bad, simply not informed.
It was never "old news." Like the 1963 Birmingham church bombing was never old news. Or maybe it's old news like the Civil War is old news.
"twas to me. Old news in the sense in that it was not discussed, at least in my orbit.
One of the smartest things I ever did (without knowing how smart it was) was move from my small MA town to DC when I was 18. The world opened up. And funny thing, at first hardly anyone I knew had grown up in DC -- they'd all left their small and large towns just like me. That changed over time, however.
Our worlds open when they are supposed and we grow the way we are supposed to.