1960s BADDEST scene?

What was the worst thing about the 1960s?........

 

I have to go with Martin Luther King Jr. dieing because if he was still alive, the world would be much different.

 

All of them suck but I have to go with the Manson family.

 

Thanks.
I probably should have included in the poll: The October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis which brought the world on the brink of nuclear war.

 

This is the 40th Anniversary of the Newark, NJ Riots. the Star Ledger is doing the story. a forgotten part of The Sixties.



http://www.nj.com/newark1967/

 

how 'bout the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago where a bunch of kids got their heads busted in by cops and a few died?

 

The assassination of JFK. It destroyed the American, and world populations, belief in the US, and it's vital institutions. I watched this happen. It was really the day that the 50s ended, even though it was 1964. [eras really don't fully coencide with the decades] To me, it actually seems supernatural. When he was shot, it was like the way the world had been since the end of WW II was shot. And when he died, that World also died. Instantly, EVERYTHING, changed. US 50s culture abruptly ended, with the Beatles, and English Invasion groupes. Already semi-violent race realtions in the US exploded, as the blacks realized that their best ally for change, [JFK] had been eliminated. Which contributed greatly [among other issues] to a growing political polarization, and radicalization of both, left and right. [which has continued to this day]. The political middle, just disappeared. And, the youth who watched the sad, chaotic, spectical of the death of the young, handsome, energetic, president that they loved play out on TV, were so traumatized and shattered, that in pain and anger, they rejected all of the faith and trust they once had in this world, and the US and it's instituions. Suddenly to them, it all seemed to be fairy tales, lies, and deceit. And, that if any one, or anything, good did turn up -- it would be destroyed by the dark, evil, powers that be. While their parents held true to that former mind set of revence for the system, flawed as it may well be. Alienating, and turning the generations against each other, well into the 80s.
And then, came Vietnam! Which may well not have happened as it did, or even at all, had JFK remained as persident. An event that finsihed shredding the unity of the US population. Tearing "The Generation Gap" wide open, and turning left and right into take no prisoners enemy camps, beyond any compramise. America was shot when he was shot -- and we have never fully recovered -- probably never will. When JFK died, the promise of America's true spirit died with him. Our national soul left when he did.

 

Agreed.
The era of the American 'Camelot' 1960-1963 was short lived but epitomised the 'American Dream' however spuriously.
Many Americans remember the period after the Korean War & before the Vietnam War as a 'golden age' for America & possibly this is true for the whole Western World.
After L.B.J. took over;the foreign policy went into head on collision with Red China/Soviet Russia & Vietnam was the battleground.
The so-called 'British Invasion' dominated the rest of the 1960s.

Thanks for mentioning the '1968 Democratic National Convention' in Chicago when Mayor Daley's 'Psycho-Cops' clashed with the 'Long-haired menace' demonstrators the likes of Abbie Hoffman & Jerry Rubin.McCarthy was unable to usurp Humphrey &The result of this police brutality ensured the swift victory of the Republicans in the November elections.

 

Yes, the time between Korea and Vietman WAS a Golden Age! And, I am very greatful that the Universe saw fit to let me enjoy it as a kid and teen. There never was, and most likely never will be, a better time ever, to be young. Or, any other age. But, especially young. It was the pay off that our parents fought WWII for. Knowing what my father went through fighting hand to hand in the jungles of the Pacific, I'm glad they got it. And, I miss it. Where's my Hula Hoop?

 

I saw it from a younger perspective (I was in 2nd grade in '64), but I think that '68 with the loss of Bobby and Dr. King and the police riot in Chicago was a worse year.

JFKs assasination may have ended Camelot, but what happened four years later was the proof that it was never comming back.

 

If you're voting for '68, don't forget the Tet Offensive. It turned the US public against the Vietman War. Also, on a lesser note, the rise of George Wallce as an independent, segragationist, persidental candidate. Who carried 5 Southern states in the general election.

 

However, without a doubt, the absoulte WORST, and sadest, event of the 1960s, was the cancelation of Howdy Doody in 1960.

DAMN THE NETWORK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The KKK and Civil Rights disappearances.

Wars and assassinations are pretty bad obviously but nothing is as bad as murder out of pure prejudiced hatred. And it's not isolated cases of murder either; the KKK was an organisation dedicated solely to racial violence. The fact that such an organisation was still operational in the 1960s (in a 'civilised' country like the States, no less) disgusts me more than anything. I hang my head in embarrassment for the human race.

 

vietnam was such a waste of lives and money....

 

what about that whole "national guard vs. college protesters" perdicament?

 

yep, that's what I was looking for...
Kent State, anyone?

 

45,000 Viet Cong put their lives on the line, and died. What's wrong with that, except the fact that 4,000 Americans had to die to stop them? Those 45,000 Viet Cong deserved exactly what they got.

 

The Vietnam war. It pretty much gave birth to the whole hippy movement. Spawned lots of new technology, and generally ruined everthing it touched.

As for George Wallace, I actually shook his hand once.

I'm from Alabama originally. I was at some function and somebody grabbed my sleeve and said to shake this man's hand. I turned and seen somebody coming through the crowd. I put out my hand and then saw the face of Wallace himself.

He was running for his second term as "guvna" and came through my hometown on a campaign swing.

It was a Forrest Gump moment.


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That's pretty cool to have shaken Govenor Wallace's hand.
I mean a historical moment.Don't get me wrong:-I don't dig any of his racist views & he probably thought as much of the vietnameses as he did blacks.
Actually Govenor George Wallace could have one of my 'Baddest scene' categories for his 'segregationist' ideology.
'The Vietnam War' is way ahead in the poll & rightly so.As you mentioned it seemed to 'destroy' everything it touched.
Credit goes to Govenor Reagan of California who as early as 1967 urged L.B.J. to make a total withdrawal from Vietnam because it was an unwinnable war.

 

I didn't like Wallace either. I grew up in the old south and hated racism and everything it stood for. I came from a small little town. We never had any racial problems like the cities did, but everybody knew their "place".

Our town clinic had a side entrance for "colored" people. Different drinking fountains, etc.

I saw MLK from a distance one time when I was driving back from vacation in Florida. Didn't know who he was until I saw the news that night.

My encounter with Wallace lasted all of 3 seconds. It was a weird experience to come face to face with a piece of living history. I cherish it still.


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