TakingITGlobal - Panorama - Activism in the...

Published on: Apr 18, 2002

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=320

In the 1960s, activism seemed to draw much of America, especially youth, into alternative ways of looking at life, politics, and the world. Demonstrations, teach-ins, and sit-ins occurred throughout the country as citizens became involved in civil rights, peace, environmental, free speech, and anti-Vietnam issues. To some extent, the prevalence of hippie culture was shallow. After the protests were over and the 60's wound up, most teenagers and college students went home, got married, had kids, and preoccupied themselves with advancing their careers (only if they were lucky, of course) and had managed to escape police violence, drug addictions, or prison terms. But at the core of 1960s activism were sincere activists who cared about creating a better, more equal, peaceful world.

Today a similar sort of activism is on the rise. On college campuses, students organize rallies and discussions about globalization. In 1999, protesters interrupted the WTO convention in Seattle. This year, progressive groups and world leaders met at the Social World Forum to develop ideas for an alternative world, with alternative development and economic practices. The internet is a fantastic organizing tool that is unique to the new wave of activism. Radical listserves and news sources proliferate as activists discover each others efforts and began to work together. One aspect of the 1960s activism that is conspicuously absent in today's movement is music.

Music played an integral role in politicizing and radicalizing Americans in the 1960s. Students at home and even soldiers at the front listened to songs by the Beatles, the Doors, the Rolling Stones, Country Joe McDonald and many others. This part of the movement is noticeably absent in today's anti-globalization/peace movement. With the exception of a few bands and musicians like Spearhead, the Flying Folk Army, and the Raging Grannies (who sing old songs to new lyrics, songs like "There's no business like war business", "The best business we know"), there is very little substantial music for the movement, and certainly none of it is making the pop charts.

In order to send a practical message of peace in today's increasingly nonsensical environment of militaristic and economic rhetoric, activists should encourage the production of meaningful music. Music can be a powerful way to spread ideas and change public opinion, as it proved in the 1960s.

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by Jamie Denim
Published on: Apr 18, 2002
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=320


In the 1960s, activism seemed to draw much of America, especially youth, into alternative ways of looking at life, politics, and the world. Demonstrations, teach-ins, and sit-ins occurred throughout the country as citizens became involved in civil rights, peace, environmental, free speech, and anti-Vietnam issues. To some extent, the prevalence of hippie culture was shallow. After the protests were over and the 60's wound up, most teenagers and college students went home, got married, had kids, and preoccupied themselves with advancing their careers (only if they were lucky, of course) and had managed to escape police violence, drug addictions, or prison terms. But at the core of 1960s activism were sincere activists who cared about creating a better, more equal, peaceful world. Today a similar sort of activism is on the rise. On college campuses, students organize rallies and discussions about globalization. In 1999, protesters interrupted the WTO convention in Seattle. This year, progressive groups and world leaders met at the Social World Forum to develop ideas for an alternative world, with alternative development and economic practices. The internet is a fantastic organizing tool that is unique to the new wave of activism. Radical listserves and news sources proliferate as activists discover each others efforts and began to work together. One aspect of the 1960s activism that is conspicuously absent in today's movement is music. Music played an integral role in politicizing and radicalizing Americans in the 1960s. Students at home and even soldiers at the front listened to songs by the Beatles, the Doors, the Rolling Stones, Country Joe McDonald and many others. This part of the movement is noticeably absent in today's anti-globalization/peace movement. With the exception of a few bands and musicians like Spearhead, the Flying Folk Army, and the Raging Grannies (who sing old songs to new lyrics, songs like "There's no business like war business", "The best business we know"), there is very little substantial music for the movement, and certainly none of it is making the pop charts. In order to send a practical message of peace in today's increasingly nonsensical environment of militaristic and economic rhetoric, activists should encourage the production of meaningful music. Music can be a powerful way to spread ideas and change public opinion, as it proved in the 1960s. « return.