Every summer I long to go back to the 1960s. For me, it was a great ime, a time of maturation, a time when my eyes were truly opened to the world around me. It was a time of hope and of despair.
Sadly, some things don’t change. Although it is unlikely that Barry McGuire’s Eve of Destruction would be banned again in Boston, the words of the song that rang true in the 1960s still ring true today.
The 1960s were filled with summers of protest and winters of discontent. The hopes of a significant portion of America were reflected in these words: “We shall overcome!” Not just black America but poor America, Americans of all races, creeds, and economic status were stirred by these words.
Against the backdrop of domestic change was the Vietnam War. People didn’t know what to protest against or march in favor of first. Civil rights or peace. The 1960s brought forth to the mainstream (i.e., to popular music, to the top 40) the protest song.
And protests against the draft — I still remember the draft lottery; my number was 78.
It seems that some things haven’t changed and the protest songs of the 1960s are still relevant today.
But the 1960s were so much more than marches, demonstrations, protests, and upheavel. There was love to be found and celebrated and a world to be conquered for those of us who came of age in the 1960s.
Plus it was a time for experimenting and dreaming. 🙂
As well as for doing something unexpectedly different —
I’m ready — to return to the dreams and hopes of the ’60s!
An American Editor 
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