What's Goin' On
"Baby boomers," the babies of the 1950's matured into adulthood in the 1970's. They realized the mistakes made by earlier generations and were not too shy to speak up about them. The mistreatment of women, African Americans, and other minorities were recognized and acts of the government were questioned. The seventh decade of the century was a turbulent time of revolution, reform, and realization for a people whose awareness was waking from the slumber of the contented 1950's to the harsh realities of war, racial prejudice, and rampant social injustice. The youth of the 70's were very instrumental in spurring change. They often used protests to speak against injustice, particularly concerning the Vietnam War. In 1970 Ohio National Guardsmen were sent to Kent State University to "restore order." Large student protests were not uncommon during this time, but this protest ended in the death of four students and the injury of many others (Gordon). In 1971 an amendment to the Constitution was passed giving citizens, above the age of 18, instead of 21, the right to vote (Image Nine). If those 18 could be drafted to fight for their country in war or "police action," they wanted the right to be recognized as
Americans during the seventh decade were influenced by many things, as with any decade. Three of the most influential subjects of this time involved entertainment, drugs, and the government. By the 70's most homes, even those with low incomes owned atleast one television. Television became a very important part of the American lifestyle. Citizens got their news as well as sitcoms, talk shows, game shows, and movies. Music was also very important, especially to young people. Musicians of rock music addressed some of the many concerns and feelings of the time. Marvin Gaye, an artist of the time, had an "increasing concern about poverty, discrimination, and political corruption in American society" ( Coll). Rock split into many types, including soft rock, hard rock, pop rock, country rock, folk rock, punk rock, and shock rock. There was a lot upheaval both within the nation and abroad. Conflict was a prevalent attitude during the 70's, particularly in the early part of the decade. The United States desperately attempted to spread its ideas of democracy and crush Communism. The Vietnam conflict continued overseas until troops began to be withdrawn in 1973. Israel won the Yom Kippur War that year after being attacked by Egyptians and Syrians. In 1975 Pol Pot, leader of a communism rebel group called Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia (ABC News). South Africans revolted against apartheid in 1976. Students in Iran took over the United States Embassy, taking 100 people hostage for 444 days in 1979. Pinochet took over Chile in 1973 ,capturing and torturing 3000 people. The United States and the Soviet Union continued the Cold War, a war more political and mental conflict than physical. citizens with the voice of a vote. During this past century's seventh decade blacks also made many strides toward equal rights. The awakening of the previous decade concerning the rights of minorities continued in violence. The Black Panther Party, organized in 1966, was formed to protect blacks from
Some common words found in the essay are:
African Americans, Army Castelluci, Vietnam Cambodia, Drug Abuse, Wade Texas, Kent University, Image Nine, Microsoft Corporation, Hank Aaron, Pentagon Papers, seventh decade, equal rights, women african americans, anti-abortion law, african americans, american society, decade united, police action, women african, kent university, watergate scandal,
Approximate Word count = 1356
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
