1968 was fifty years ago. The societal culture was much different. There was barely any electronics, and the television sets resembled boxes. Now, 2018, electronics are everywhere, and the TV’s are more like paper. These two periods seem like hundreds of years apart, but there is a lot in common between the two.
After the soldiers of World War II came home, there was a certain generation born called the baby boomers. In the 1960s these babies were teenagers and young adults. They had financially stable parents who tried to satisfy their wishes with the newest state-of-the-art toys and clothes. However, this backfired when a notable movement started. It principally concerned young adults to rebel against their conservative parents, it can be related to the flapper period of the 1920s. These youths, too, wanted a change to happen. They were determined to make this happen. They helped make a new market for pop music, clothing, and makeup. They rebelled and attacked not only the established entertainment and lifestyle of society, but also the values and traditions their parents had embraced and brought them up with: authority, religion, and good work ethic. Not only this but young adults at this time were also being exposed to what was happening in the world for the first time.
These students were protesting in support of what they believed in. They were speaking out about the newly elected president, Richard Nixon, of the Republican Party, poverty, the Vietnam War and censorship. New York Times headlines read, "North Korea seized an American surveillance ship, the Pueblo, in a move Congress called an 'act of war'" "The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was slain in Memphis by a white gunman" and "Police gunfire killed two black college students and wounded more than 40 in a fourth straight night of violence in Orangeburg, South Carolina". Approximately 17,000 American died in the Vietnam War in 1968, more than in any other year. Public support for the war effort halted as anti-war rallies and demonstrations erupted. Demonstrators were being beaten and arrested. Most reputable was the riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, to which the police reacted with tear gas. As more and more terrifying and scary articles were being published, more and more young people were taking to the streets to protest the violence being shown in the newspaper. 1968 was a time of change, which is much like what is happening now in 2018.
2018 has also been a big year full of disagreement and sound change. Gay marriage was legalized, the first African American was elected for the presidency, and the unemployment rate has dropped to 3.7, these are all examples of good change. Even though positive things have been happening, the country is still split. Society cannot seem to agree on anything.
In June 2015, Donald Trump, a successful businessman, announced his run for the presidency. Thus followed his unprecedented promises of building a wall on America's southern border, replacing Obamacare, and suspend immigration from "nations tied to Islamic terror." After sharing these, came his beliefs on critical issues. Trump supports the Second Amendment, believes marriage should be between a man and a woman, and considers himself "pro-life." Many people profoundly disagreed with his views and turned to his opponents, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, in hopes that one of them would beat him. Ultimately, on November 8, 2016, Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States. America was feeling a mixture of emotions; surprise, anger, happiness, and horror. Naturally, the people that felt betrayed by America took the streets to protest. High school and college students walked out of their classes to protest. They were mostly peaceful, although at some demonstrations fires were lit, flags were torched, and a Trump piñata was burned. Much like what happened in 1969, young people are beginning to become more aware of the world. Not only are teenagers and young adults protesting against the president but also for the movements they believe in.
Gun control has always been a big topic for debate. However, in the last few years, people have been paying more attention to the laws surrounding guns. The “March For Our Lives” Movement is a student-led protest in support of stronger gun control that took place on March 24, 2018. The event followed the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018, which was characterized by many media outlets as a potential tipping point for gun control legislation. This movement had over 800 different protests on March 24, but an estimated number of 200,000 to 800,000 people attended the main event in Washington, D.C. Much like the protests of Donald Trump’s presidency, high school and college students walked out of class in support of the movement. The whole event itself was designed by the students of Stoneman Douglas High School who are survivors of the shooting. This is showing how students are becoming much more aware of the world and the nation’s problems. This compares to youth culture in 1968 because students are still acting out about their beliefs.
Since students are the future of our country, they are letting their voices be heard early. Much like in 1968, these young adults who are standing up for what they believe in are getting criticism for it. While some politicians were praising the “courageous young Americans exercising their First Amendment rights,” like former U.S. President, Barack Obama, who tweeted, “Michelle and I are so inspired by all the young people who made today’s marches happen. Keep at it. You are leading us forward. Nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change”, there were also some people in power who were reprimanding the students. Radio host Kevin McCullough said, "The moralizing and lecturing from these manipulated teens have gone roughly as far as it will go, You do not get to use your victimization to advocate for an even less safe school for my children." Despite this, March for Our Lives was one of the most massive rallies for gun control ever in the nation’s capital and one of the biggest youth protests since the Vietnam War. This is the most prominent example of how connected these two generations are. They are both standing up for what they believe and are determined to be taken seriously.
Another example of these two generations connecting is through a quote said by Martin Luther King Jr. He stated, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’.” That day has come. These past few years, women and men, have been standing up for their rights. With the creation of the #MeToo Movement, a demonstration created by women for women who have experienced sexual harassment or assault, the Black Lives Matter Movement, a movement to support black people and violence they face, and gay marriage being legalized; it seems like King’s dream might be coming true.
Not only are people standing up for the violence that they have grown up around and any discrimination because on the grounds of race, age, or sex, but also much smaller things, like the clothes they wear and the music they listen to. As stated before, young adults in 1968 helped make a new market for rock music, clothing, and makeup. Everyone's sense of style was touched by this youthful revolution. Many new trends became famous thanks to the young people who donned them. Styles ranging from safari jackets to bohemian chic. These styles started in the late 60’s and thrived in the 70’s. Rock had also become very popular at this time, with everything from the profoundly soulful to the highly experimental. Bands that are still being celebrated today were formed in 1968 included Black Sabbath, Yes and Led Zeppelin. These types of rock bands were the most popular among teens. This part of 1968’s youth culture connects to 2018’s youth culture because they are both surrounding freedom in music and clothing. The average Millennial is listening to 39.7 hours of music a week. The majority of this time is spent listening to rap and hip-hop music. Rappers like Cam'ron, Eminem, and MF Doom are also leaving a legacy on today's fashion. Trendsetters are not just reaching into their closets and pulling out their clothes from 10 years ago; they are reinterpreting the style while giving a courteous tip of their hat to the pioneers.
America has certainly changed since 1968. Gay marriage was legalized, the first African American was elected for the presidency, and the unemployment rate has dropped to 3.7. These events were not even thought about fifty years ago. These things have happened because of young adults. The culture among youths has not changed in the past fifty years. In 1968, it became the norm to stand up for what they believe in, no matter your age. They did this by protesting the Vietnam War and the music they loved. In 2018, this has not changed. It is this generation culture to also stand up for what they believe in. Youths in 2018 are demanding to be heard by the older people in power, whether it is about the #MeToo Movement or March For Our Lives. In conclusion, 2018 youth culture can be compared to 1968’s youth culture because of the students fight to be heard in both generations.