The 60s Is Alive and Well at Creekview High School

The sophomore English Class of Mrs. Efaw has re-opened the door to the 60s. My granddaughter and other students in her English class were assigned projects related to the 60s decade. Why I mention this is that I was privileged to be interviewed by Rebecca, my granddaughter on what it was like growing up in the 60s.

I must admit the questions were very open-ended and thought provoking. Rebecca's project covered the fashions of the era but many of her questions were not related to fashion. She had to tie everything together, I was told. One question in particular was "What kind of music did I listen to when I was growing up and who was my favorite group?" Of course there were so many artists back then that I really enjoyed, so it was difficult to pick a favorite so I chose one that I saw live. "The Lovin' Spoonful." They were really at the top of my list anyway. Somehow I brought up the topic of the permissive and lewd lyrics allowed in today's music. I remember we would have to take lyrics from songs and make up our own interpretation An example that comes to mind is the Kingsmen's Louie Louie. Also I recall when the Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, when they had to change the lyrics of Let's Spend the Night Together to Let's Spend Some Time Together to appease Ed Sullivan and the censors. Times have changed. I don't believe parents either care or really know what kind of songs and lyrics that our grandchildren and children listen to. Songs of hatred, racism, killing and so forth. It disturbs me.

Why an English class was studying the 60s, I don't have a clue. I could understand if she was trying to determine what slang of the era was prevalent. I guess it would have made more sense to me if it was in History or a Global class.

What I do know that it created an interest in a decade where most of the students had to come to a grandparent who lived during that time. Kind of scary for us isn't it? I remember talking to my grandparents about the Depression and here we are reliving and telling our experiences about the 60s. To me it doesn't seem that long ago but to these kids it probably seemed like ancient times.

During the interview we talked about what we did for entertainment, clothes I wore, cruising, and of course the Vietnam War. I was also asked what I had planned to do after high school and if I actually did what I had planned. Where was this leading to? I don't think I had any plans after high school that were concrete. Kids haven't changed that much since we were growing up. Most of us yesterday and most of them today still don't have a clue on what they really want to do. Most will say they are going to attend college but not a definite of what I am going to be.

Rebecca asked me how involved, we were in politics during the 1960s. I think we were involved just as much as they are NOT MUCH AT ALL. We couldn't vote until we were 21 and now our young people can exercise their right at 18 but that hasn't increased the younger generation involvement.

I do recall having a mock election in the 7th grade when Nixon and Kennedy were running against each other. I played Lyndon Johnson, the running mate of John F. Kennedy. We had debates and everything. Today's kids don't know who the Speaker of the House is or the majority and minority leader of either house of Congress. I know this because I asked my granddaughter and she is an excellent student. Amazing, huh?

I was also asked what affect did the Vietnam War had on me. First of all, I am a Vietnam veteran who served with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. I believe we were doing the right thing trying to protect the South Vietnamese from Communism. Even after all these years I still believe we were doing the right thing, but a political war can never be won. When politicians interfere with the military leadership and keep their hands tied then you can never win. We as Vietnam veterans were let down. The United States was not allowed to win. I still think there are many wounds that will never be healed over that war.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to spend some time with Rebecca and share my experiences of the 60s, what I believe and even historians agree was the most historical time of modern history.

Yes, the 60s is alive and well at Creekview High School at least for this past week.

It is always alive and well at my website The 60s Official Site.