That’s interesting. I was born in 1957 in upstate NY and my mother and I moved to Culver City, a suburb of Los Angeles, in 1960. I never had much a sense of being afraid of the Russians, though I remember “duck and cover,” but I associate it with earthquakes.
My mother and my first stepfather were leftists of a sort, and also early hippies. One of my strongest early memories was during the Watts riots in 1964, when my mother told me that she really hoped black men did not come and burn down our house, but that if they did, she wouldn’t blame them.
It is endlessly weird watching how names of ideologies shift and morph into their opposites. Endlessly convenient for certain parties, as well. It’s almost as if it was being engineered…..
There are upsides and downsides on both sides. Things you have to unlearn and things that stay true. Southerners know things about social navigation and community that are worth paying attention to.
Your tales of baby boomer madness bring up so many memories. Considering that i was born in the aftermath of two world wars and into such a state of confusion and uncertainty, it makes me wonder if I was around it all back then and chose (or maybe was chosen) to be present at this very special time.
The propaganda machine keeps churning on.....always aimed at the children (including those of draft age, still teens.) In the second grade at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic School in Westwood, CA in 1963, I was more afraid of my teacher, Sister Something Something, a nun. She was a mean Mother. In a class of 62 kids, she wielded her power and always sent little ol' me down to the office where the bigger Mother nun would ask me why I was crying as she hit me repeatedly with a ruler. And we were supposed to learn something? I do remember having to get under our desks under the threat of nuclear bombs. And we all obeyed or else! Thanks for the trip down the uniquely American road of terror for kids. At least back then I didn't have to decide what gender I was supposed to be. Thank the Lord.
I was born in L.A. in 1952, and grew up in Highland Park & Eagle Rock.
I never did "the pledge" because it offended my sensibilities (allegiance to a flag??)
I was "class clown" pretty much all thru school, because bored to death; I already knew the material from my own (voracious) reading... and i was certain that the "red scare" was just that .. State sponsored terrorism against we the people. -- Nice blog, keep it up :)
That’s interesting. I was born in 1957 in upstate NY and my mother and I moved to Culver City, a suburb of Los Angeles, in 1960. I never had much a sense of being afraid of the Russians, though I remember “duck and cover,” but I associate it with earthquakes.
My mother and my first stepfather were leftists of a sort, and also early hippies. One of my strongest early memories was during the Watts riots in 1964, when my mother told me that she really hoped black men did not come and burn down our house, but that if they did, she wouldn’t blame them.
It is endlessly weird watching how names of ideologies shift and morph into their opposites. Endlessly convenient for certain parties, as well. It’s almost as if it was being engineered…..
You are lucky your parents were leftists---even "of a sort."
My parents were both Southern Democrats who could have been Republicans.
There are upsides and downsides on both sides. Things you have to unlearn and things that stay true. Southerners know things about social navigation and community that are worth paying attention to.
Your tales of baby boomer madness bring up so many memories. Considering that i was born in the aftermath of two world wars and into such a state of confusion and uncertainty, it makes me wonder if I was around it all back then and chose (or maybe was chosen) to be present at this very special time.
The propaganda machine keeps churning on.....always aimed at the children (including those of draft age, still teens.) In the second grade at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic School in Westwood, CA in 1963, I was more afraid of my teacher, Sister Something Something, a nun. She was a mean Mother. In a class of 62 kids, she wielded her power and always sent little ol' me down to the office where the bigger Mother nun would ask me why I was crying as she hit me repeatedly with a ruler. And we were supposed to learn something? I do remember having to get under our desks under the threat of nuclear bombs. And we all obeyed or else! Thanks for the trip down the uniquely American road of terror for kids. At least back then I didn't have to decide what gender I was supposed to be. Thank the Lord.
I know, because if I was caught at a certain age, I would have said, "boy" if someone asked me to choose my gender.
I remember being afraid of Cuba but didn’t know what a Cuba was
What an excellent and timely piece! Sharing loud and long!!! Thank you.
thank you!!!
I was born in L.A. in 1952, and grew up in Highland Park & Eagle Rock.
I never did "the pledge" because it offended my sensibilities (allegiance to a flag??)
I was "class clown" pretty much all thru school, because bored to death; I already knew the material from my own (voracious) reading... and i was certain that the "red scare" was just that .. State sponsored terrorism against we the people. -- Nice blog, keep it up :)
thanks, David, and thanks for sharing your story!