Back to the Future

In the last few weeks I’ve watched debates, viewed television news reports, and read a number of poll results concerning the 2020 election.

I am amazed how many of today’s issues mirror what was happening in our country in the sixties.

The decade of the sixties was a turbulent time for our nation and I’ve had lots of discussions with friends about how everything changed after the assassination of Kennedy.

Here are just a few of the issue similarities, then and now.

The Cold War.

In the sixties we had major concerns with Cuba and the U.S.S.R., and now we’re still dealing with Russia, and China, and North Korea, etc.

Civil Rights.

What a time it was for not only people of color, but women as well.

The 60’s had the hippie culture. America’s youth questioned everything traditional. We now have the millennials who butt heads with conservatives. The protests of the sixties turned more violent as the decade progressed and that trend continues today.

Environment issues.

The sixties witnessed the advent of the environmental movement. Topics of discussion were the harm associated with smog in our large metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles and New York City, oil spills and the concern for overpopulation and the depletion of our natural resources.

Mass Media.

In the sixties you could watch all the violence associated with racism in our country and the body bags returning our young men from the war in Vietnam on your evening television news broadcasts. Today, technology has advanced to the point where news is streaming 24 hours a day on multiple outlets including your cellphone.

We have made progress,but it’s plain we are still battling the same issues.

Remember the Churchill quote, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

Here we go again.

It seems we just continue to circle.

Let’s hope it’s not the drain.

See you out there.