Why Woodstock Still Matters to Boomers and Everyone

So were you at Woodstock? I almost went--life intervened. But the impact of Woodstock can not be underrated. Go take a look at this youtube posting about the era and meaning of Woodstock.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19VhCCly_9s

It's gotten a really bad rap in the intervening years. This might be movie and Tom Hanks (I'm a fan, really! Really, I am!) heresy to say so, but I did not like "Forrest Gump--for its pretty conservative views. Mom and apple pie and all that. We do see a sweep of American history through the 'Innocent's' eyes, but the view of the social change that emerged in the 1960s and extended actively through the 1980s is certainly pretty negatively presented in that movie. And I think these views mirrored the backward looking national mood in the post-woodstock era opposing extending the promises of our constitution to everyone.

What I found inspiring and still find inspiring about those early years symbolized by 'Woodstock', was the opening of our national mind to new ideas about the promise of America. There would be no Senator Hillary Clinton or Senator Barack Obama running neck and neck for the presidency If the "60's" hadn't happened. I mean this is totally astonishing and INSPIRING. Regardless of who you support, whether Hillary, Barack or John, it is WONDERFUL that at long long long last, our country is saying to everyone and to the world, we really believe in the truth of our constitution. Not only do we believe, but we have viable candidates to vote for. Amazing and wonderful.

I still have my grandmother's wide gold satin sash which she wore in sufferage marches in North Carolina prior to women (of all shades of tan) winning the 78 year long battle to vote. It's just so "duh" now that women of every ethnicity, class and religion  vote. But in my family immediate family history that was not the case.

So when you think 'Woodstock', don't just think sex, drugs and rock and roll (rock history), but think civil rights that brought the Voting rights Act and the 1964 Civil rights Act, the peace movement that ended the Vietnam War, the women's movement that opened education and jobs to women NOW, that said violence against women in any form is not acceptable, that laid the ground work for the internet connecting us all and sent us into outer space to see our lovely lovely and environmentally fragile home environment--the beautiful blue marble of Earth.

So Woodstockers--whether you went or not, BE PROUD. And get active!

WOODSTOCK LAND FOR SALE! By the way, Max Yasgur's farm is up for sale for $8 million, according to The Boomer Chronicles. 

Mr. Yasgur died in 1973.  Mr. Roy Howard, who owned a package store and beverage distributorship in the area, bought his home and about 100 acres around it in 1985.   Lovely acres in Bethel, NY with a lot of history!! 

Read more:  Boomer Chronicles
Real Estate agent and details:  Jospe Properties

 

Comments

[Chuck Nyren]

I agree. Forrest Gump sucked.

[Virginia]

Chuck, wouldn't be great to have an R and R Power to the People march on Washington with all the RR greats and reps of all the social activists groups calling for the people's adgenda? It's time to make a new green economy that will let us make a good life for people again and NOT WAR!Let a little love in our lives, right!?!

[The Rock Relic (Chuck Hinson)]

FANTASTIC write, Virginia! And you hit the nail DIRECTLY on the proverbial head when it come to "our" music and the regeneration of interest in a new and better America.
It's obvious that we're almost deja vuing with the politics, warring and other nonsense emanating out of Washingtonian cracks and crevices.
It's time to get the message of the people into the forefront once again!