Kincaid's Interview With My Father

The 1960’s era was known as being called the “Golden Age”. The 1960’s were a time for change, counter culture, and political movements. One of the most important events that occurred during the 1960’s was the presidential election between Richard Nixon and John F Kennedy. During this election, the Cold War between the Soviet Union and United States was the main focus. Also at this time there was a rise in the civil rights movement. The election of 1960 was a changing point in American history.

The Sixties were an exciting revolutionary period with great cultural change. Some people called it the “decade of discontent” (Britannica) due to the race riots in Detroit and La, and the demonstrations against the Vietnam War. Other people called it the decade of “peace, love, and harmony” (Woodstock 69). This decade was identified as such as a result of the peace movement and the emergence of the flower children. (Britannica) The sixties were about assassination, unforgettable fashion, new styles of music, civil rights, gay and women’s liberation, Vietnam, Neil Armstrong landing on the moon, peace marches, sexual freedom, drug experimentation, and Woodstock. All of these components caused a revolutionary change in the

King wasn’t the only person to become an icon during the 1960s as the United states of America's youngest president John F. Kennedy makes his debut in this decade. With all these events it supports the American personality of being determined to overcome any adversity displays in the science and domestic politics are of 1960.

“Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans” (Kennedy 916). With these words, John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address in 1961 described the 1960’s decade. This era in American history encapsulated a belief in the power of young people to change the world, a desire to help others globally and accept their differences, and a war that would eventually destroy all that America stood for. It was a time for new ideas in all aspects of life. This shift in thinking is apparent when looking at the happenings in society, the younger generation, and the media. The sixties were the beginning of many great revolutions in society.

The 1960s itself is a decade that is almost incomparable to any other. None of us since have seen a war that can compare to the likes of the Vietnam War and I pray that we never have to. There was a fear of Cold war. The civil rights movement and segregation is something we can only try to fathom. While it hurts to see that racism is still and issue today, I can only realize its severity back then by what I see in movies and read of it in books. While it was a time of free love and peace for some, it was also a time of great loss and turmoil for others. For those of us who did not live it, we can only look in awe at what the decade

The early 1960’s was a time for great change for the United States as John F. Kennedy was Assassinated America was in despair. Lyndon B. Johnsons Great Society programs alleviated many Americans in the from despair and poverty ranks, with the programs such as federal aid to college students, social security payments to older Americans, Civil Rights Act of 1965, and improving the quality of life.

In the early 1960’s there were many changes and challenges for America. This time period was led by two completely different types of men. President Kennedy was a younger man from Massachusetts and was more about solving America’s problems foreignly. This was made clear in his New Frontier policy. Lyndon Johnson came from humble beings and was more of an in your face kind of president. Johnson focused on the war on poverty and did everything he could to limit that gap between the rich and poor. Johnson was also led America into a war in Vietnam and Vietnam was the major conflict of the early 1960’s.

The 1960’s was a focal point in American history, for several obvious reasons and more than a few elusive ones. The United States up to this point was the ultimate hero version of itself, and people felt differently about their government. There was also a sense that if they decided to do it nothing was beyond their reach. The United States of the 21st century is far from that, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, the War on Drugs, and even on Poverty have shattered the notion that we are infallible. The origins of some of these failings can be traced to the 1960’s. The generation which rewarded these battles is now aging and slowly fading from a much objective view is now possible. There were two major revolutions that took the center stage in this

The sixties were considered a decade of revolutionary social norms, irresponsible excess, political tension, popular culture and Prices. "Getting the country moving again" was the promise of the 1960 Kennedy for President campaign, whether they voted for Kennedy or not, most Americans were ready for a change in 1960. From politics to the entertainment industry, the country's leaders and followers sought new directions, heroes, and missions. The post-war era had to end sometime, and the 1960s represented that transition to greatness. Kennedy served as the first recognized leader of this unexplored path to the "New Frontier," and for a while it seemed as if anything was possible. From the end of racism and poverty to an American on the moon,

The cultural shift that occurred between the 1950s and the 1960s is perhaps one of the most contrasting transformations America has seen between decades. While the 1950s are painted as a time of prosperity, patriotism, and tradition, the 1960s is described as a decade of activism, rebellion, and turmoil. As the baby boomer generation transitioned into adulthood, they became loud advocates for their beliefs and notions of freedom. As with any powerful push for change, the backlash was intense. In the case of the 1960s, “the flower children” were forced to witness the deaths of four great leaders of the decade: John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Junior.

The 1960’s was a time when the world was facing the Cold War and America was facing the Civil Rights Movement. On January 20, 1961, at the age of 43, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was sworn into office as the 35th President of the United States. As the youngest president of the United States, Kennedy needed to prove to the American citizens that he was a great leader and that they did the right thing to elect him. (History.com) The night before JFK’s inaugural it snowed so hard that many people found it difficult to attend the inauguration, however more than twenty thousand people were in attendance. (Baergen) During the Inauguration, President Kennedy gave his most famous speech, The Inaugural Address, which evoked a sense of unity into the American citizens and gave them a sense of confidence in their young leader, which was gravely needed at that moment. Kennedy’s prerogative was to be an outstanding leader; and so he was, by addressing social inequality and poverty, stating the need to end the threat of nuclear destruction, and yearning for peace, whilst having a brave and powerful demeanor.

The 1950s was the most influential decade in American history for many reasons including: the beginning of the civil rights act, the new and trendy style, and much more advances in technology and entertainment. Families were together and the young honored elders, teenagers respected themselves as well as others, and the cheerful music played all throughout the 50s is what mostly made this decade unforgettable. Not only that, but the lifestyles was much more functional than any other decade in America because people were peaceful. In the 1950s, Americans valued true fellowship with their friends and family.

The 1960s were flooded with courageous leaders, vehement conflict, and a flourishing economy. Persistent leaders like John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. brought washed over the fifties and into the sixties with a great deal of change and compassion for our world. The leaders of the 60s spared no effort to get us through the arising conflicts like Vietnam war, discrimination against blacks, and the never-ending nuclear threats across the globe. While the 1960s was overfed with conflicts the economy in the U.S. was superb and was persisting to soar throughout the decade. Overall, the 1960s was full of political involvement and uprising events. The 1960s stand out by the changing trends and the culture of the world with iconic celebrities, leaders, and historical

The 60’s was describe the counterculture and revolution in social norms about clothing, music, drugs, dress, sexuality, and formalities,hence why it's known as the swinging sixties. In the beginning it was an new perception for the United States since JFK was elected, segregation was abolished, and many human rights activist groups start forming and advocate their thoughts. Some of these groups were the black panthers, anti war activist commonly known as “hippies”, second wave feminist, gay rights, civil rights and Hispanic or Chicano movement. Along with that the nation was facing the devastating Vietnam war, Cuban Missile Crisis, and the moon landing. With the Vietnam War it lead tensions between the people and the government. The people

Throughout the sixties many things were going on. In 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected and the first weather satellite was introduced. In 1941, the Bay of Pigs invasion was committed and the Peace Corps was created that fell into the sixties. The following year The Beatles released their first single, “Love Me Do”, along with the first Wal-Mart being opened. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, along with ‘Doctor Whos’ first showing on Television. In 64’, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law creating equality. Voting rights were given and signed in 65’, and the escalation of the Vietnam War, and the design of the infamous ‘mini