The 1960's Part II - Vietnam and the Music subculture

Karen looks at History - the 1960’s part II

Vietnam Protests and more

As the United States pushed more troops and more money into Vietnam, the opposition grew.  I was in college and dreaded being drafted and being sent to the conflict.

As I lightly mentioned yesterday, one of the new aspects of American life was “our” music.  There, of course, had been different genres of music before, but for the Baby Boomers, the main driving force was Rock and Roll.  We listened to the top 40 stations, we danced to the music, we bought records and communicated through rock and roll.

There had been protest songs in the past - mostly folk songs.  Pete Seegar wrote “Where have all the flowers gone” which was sung by many folks singers or groups.  Basically, the flowers were picked by the young girls, the young girls got married to the young boys, the young boys became soldiers, and the soldiers went to the graveyards and the graveyards grew flowers for the next generation.  

Joan Baez wrote “Blowin’ in the Wind with these (partial) lyrics:  “How many times must the cannonballs fly Before they're forever banned?  The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind; The answer is blowin' in the wind”

Country Joe and the Fish added these lyrics specifically about Vietnam.

“And it’s one, two, three, what are we fighting for?

Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,

Next stop is Vietnam.

And it’s five, six, seven, open up the pearly gates

Well, there ain’t no time to wonder why,

Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.

Even more 'fun' music groups like The Monkees wrote The Last Train to Clarksville - where the lyrics say "And I don't know if I'm ever coming home

 As a college student in the late 1960’s (I was in college from 1965 to 1969), I listened to this music.  

I can image the scene in many American homes, where dad - who fought in World War II - and came home to start a family in the Baby Book - sitting down with his son, who probably had long hair and was saying “Dad, if I get drafted, I’m moving to Canada”!!

I had a good friend who was jailed because he refused to be drafted.  His status as a “conscientious objector” was not strong enough and he had been drafted and he sat in a prison cell for a few months until released.

And, I had friends who went to Vietnam willingly - who believed that Godless Communism was going to destroy human values and do away with God.  My favorite brother-in-law was part of ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corp) and went to Vietnam as an officer - and was injured in Vietnam and even yet has shrapnel in his body.  General William Sherman, of Civil War fame (and most for burning Atlanta) said “War is Hell”.  

To me, as an amateur historian in these blog posts, Vietnam separated the United States and those divisions are still there today.  

Should America be hard on terrorists or not?  Should America attack Iraq (and now Iran and Afghanistan)?  Should the United States be the world’s policeman?  

As I have aged (especially lately when I have been examining myself), I have to take into consideration safety and my values.  If ALL men are created in the image and likeness of God - do I have to love and respect them? Do I need to love the thug who has a knife at my throat?  Do I need to love the terrorist who is ready to throw a grenade into a subway car?  

I have commented (too) many times in the past.  I am to love justice, show mercy and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8); I am to “love one another” and “love your enemies”.  I am NOT to judge others. I am to forgive others. I am to turn the other cheek.  

I don’t have the answers, but I sense that this division from the 1960s still exists - the hawks and the doves.  Like the junior high boy of a few days ago (me - in this blog)., we carry the rhetoric from years ago and want to put labels on people and point fingers.  

I’m still going to try to be a lover and turn my other cheek.  I am still going to try to understand and try to be a peacemaker.  “Blessed be the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God”.

Hugs and love!!

Karen

(I am still not quite through with this yet - but not sure I can open any more wounds.  There is more to 1960s history in my brain - such as Woodstock, the Chicago 7 protesters, and even landing men on the moon.  Maybe I need to look at some other things for a few days. Tune in tomorrow to see where I go!!!)