The 1960s and the 2000s? Then and now?

Question

Then: A generation is shocked at a fairly young age by the assassination of a popular young president.

Now: A generation is shocked by an attack on American soil, something for them that has been unheard of for decades.

Then: Cold War tensions escalate.

Now: Russia is invading Georgia, America is taking Georgia's side, thus distancing the two nations into a somewhat uneasy situation, leaving some wondering if this is just the beginning of another "cold war".

Then: Civil Rights and racism.

Now: The Jena 6 protests.

Then: A generation finds its voice politically.

Now: A generation finds its hero in a young historic leader, and voter registration among young adults double, even triple in some states.

Then: A generation finds itself in a position against the war then.

Now: Majority of young adults now are opposed to the current war.

Then: Music developes a message.

Now: Bands like The Parlor Mob, The Juke Joint,

The Upton Pilots, The Yardbirds, etc., begin to write with a message, some of it political.

Then: An unpopular war is being fought.

Now: Same as above, but instead there is no draft.

Then: The economy is suffering.

Now: The United States begins to fall into a recession that is expected to get worse.

What's your thoughts? Are we falling back into a time in which everything was up in the air, and people were divided, etc.? I'm not saying things are exactly the same, they just seem really similar. What's your thoughts on this? Please answer if you actually have something to say on the matter. Peace!

Answer 1

There are a lot of differences, namely the sexual revolution.  But as you said, there are also a lot of similarities.  The biggest difference I can see today is the lack of passion on both sides of any issue.  In the 60's we took to the streets for everything and anything.  When was the last time you saw mass protesting across the country? Yes, there are little ones, but not in the thousands like we had 40 years ago.

I think the reason for the lack of passion is because it has all been done before.  In the 60's the music changed from pure entertainment to making a statement.  That was due in large part to the music of Woody Guthrie in the 30's and 40's.  Dylan copied Guthrie and everyone copied Dylan.

Answer 2

Times CAN be much different now, if the Human species were to learn from the mistakes and successes of the 1960s. Of course there is a correlation of what is happening now and what happened then, people do this to make themselves feel comfortable, its like saying "we got through it then, we'll get through it now." However it is not the actual events that should be focused on here, it is the causes of those events. If we were to be able to learn from the causes of those events we would be able to prevent future causes of similar events. It is always the CONTEXT that matters. CONTEXT IS KING, as we historians say.*  

Answer 3

From a person of the 60's, I believe the Beatles changed everything, long hair came into being, before that it was cool to have a flat top, drugs came in also.

Answer 4

Just like from the saying "History repeats itself." Besides there are a lot of History events that keeps on happening...... even today.