Just thinking…
In the late 60s and early 70s students and young folk across the US protested, sometimes violently, sometimes not, against the Viet Nam war.
In 1970, when young folks at Kent State were shot for "peaceful assembly", I was 13.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kent_State_shootings
Sure, not as old as some, but old enough… I was the product of 4 older siblings. As the middle of 9 natural born children to a traditional (sorta) catholic family, the elder siblings always cared for the younger. From about 1967 onwards, I was the mascot of my elder sister's crew of young, beautiful, learning, living adults. Noting well that I had 4 younger siblings, My eldest sister was often allowed out and free - IF - she "take Mike along".
By 1970, at age 13, I wore a cast off army duffle coat covered with political pins and buttons, and a pair of jungle worn army boots (both direct from Viet Nam), which Id acquired from returning young combatants that were members of my sisters group of friends. They came back with such cool stuff. I was a young pack-rat, collecting all that was cast off.
I thought myself pretty cool. I thought my sister's group of friends to be amazing. Smart, informed, articulate, passionate.
I attended protests of many sorts. I helped make posters and banners. My sister was the artist of the group and we were always going someplace to make some cool banner that would be hung from abridge, or a dozen "wave in your face" posters saying "The War is A Crime", "End the Killing of Babies"… I one point I /we had a Viet flag (no idea now if it was north or south) we'd fly it out the window of the old dodge van. We thought we were cool!
So, as a kid, I puppy-like followed my elder peers, chanted slogans, stood in lines, sang Dylan songs…
What did we know?
Some of the young people around me knew quite a bit. Some had experienced first hand the horrors that were the Viet Nam Conflict. (It was never declared. A WAR)
We knew people, friends, family and friends to others that either did not return or returned in a box. As time went on many developed disorders stemming from their experiences. Some never really recovered from their experiences. The Viet Nam conflict was real, tangible, alive and meaningful. But what did we KNOW?
Of course, as a kid, as a child, I could only understand so much.
I got to be around young men that were patriotic and had "enlisted" so they could "serve".
I got to be around young men that were unwilling to be drafted and had "skipped off to Canada" so they would not "serve".
I dont recall any acrimony towards either side of the decision - to serve or not - but rather got to be a spectator as a young generation grew into maturity, forming their own opinions and views, divergent and at times dangerous to that of the established system.
Kent State was a shocker. I remember it.
There was outrage, there was despair, there was fear…
So, I wonder today, as I sit in my retirement hideaway, watching the world, commenting as need be… I wonder, were we any smarter?
Any smarter than the youthful militants we see today at campuses and at rallies and protests all round the world…
I dunno. I'd like to think yes.
Today is my Mother's birthday.
I do miss my Mom...
More later
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