I was only eleven years old in the summer of 1969. A half a million Hippies showed up for “Three Days of Peace and Music” at a 600 acre dairy farm in northern New York state. This is a touchstone moment in the lives of people of my generation. It was remarkable not only for the music, but for the total lack of violence.
Three babies were born, and two deaths had occurred-about the statistical average for a city of half a million. But a city of that size also would have had a predictable number of violent crimes in a three-day period, and this simply didn’t happen.
Also consider the amount of drugs used and it’s even more remarkable. It stands in stark contrast to people that contend that drugs are the cause of violence in our society. It’s not drugs that cause violence, it’s our war on drugs that cause violence.
In many ways Woodstock represents the very best of America. A standing testimony to true individual freedom and liberty. Not the faux freedom and liberty of Conservatives and Tea Party, who can only equate those values as it applies to their pocketbook. Woodstock also serves as an example of people reaching out to help one another, generosity of spirit and acceptance. Something I would like to see much more of not only from individuals, and groups of individuals, but from our Government as well.
It would be disingenuous of me not to acknowledge that during this time protesters against the war in Viet Nam treated our military men and women with a great deal of disrespect and hostility – undeservedly so. They were right about the war, but very wrong about their misguided anger at individual returning Viet Nam veterans. Thankfully, since that time, we as a country have honored those veterans and expressed our gratitude for their service.
Once again, we find ourselves deeply divided as a country about wars without end, civil rights and economic justice. A schism deeper and wider than anytime perhaps since 1969. But at the end of the day, we are all still Americans. It’s OUR country. It’s nobody’s country to “take back”, despite the rhetoric of those that wish to advance an agenda of hate, bigotry and greed.
Here is my salute to fellow Americans. Also a thank you to our veterans and those that are serving in the military here at home and abroad.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3222428405488271724
Entries (RSS)