AP History Project | Help Needed By Those Who Lived Through 60s

[nparikh]

Hello All,

I'm doing a project for my AP History Class for which we have to interview someone who lived through the 1960s. We're supposed to interview someone aged about 52 or older. Seeing as there aren't many folk like that around me, I was wondering if CD could lend me a hand.

It's about counterculture of the 1960s, etc, and I thought it would be interesting to get something from a person involved in FIRST.

If you could take 30-45 minutes answering some questions for me, I'd be eternally grateful. In exchange, I'll send you a thank you card and I'd owe you one!
Email answers to: neilparikh [at] gmail.com
Feel free to answer whichever questions you'd like, the more the better .
Questions:
General
1. Where did you live during the Sixties?
2. How old were you at that time?
3. What was your personal situation then? ... In school, or working?
With your parents, or on your own? Married, or single?
Topical
1. How did popular culture, like TV, movies, and music, affect your life in the 1960s?
What TV shows did you watch, what musicians did you follow, etc.?
2. Did the news media affect your thoughts or society's thoughts regarding the events of
that time? If so, how?
3. Were you, or was anyone in your family, part of the counterculture? In what way? How did that affect your family life?
4. Did you participate in any marches or protests, either in the civil rights movement or in the anti-Vietnam War movement? What were your experiences with that'?
5. What is your most lasting memory of America's involvement in Vietnam'? If the American involvement in Vietnam or the draft had an impact on your life in the 1960s, please tell us in what way that it did.
6. In your community, how was the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King looked upon? Did the Civil Rights movement make a difference in your life? Please explain.
7. Where were you when you heard that JFK had been shot? How did his assassination, and then the assassination of so many other public figures, affect you and the people around you?
8. How did the role of women change during the 1960s? Did you, or anyone you knew, change their lifestyle or views because of the feminist ideas circulating in the 1960s? 9. Did you watch the moon landing on TV? What impact did that have on society?
10. For you, what were the most memorable parts of the 1960s? The best thing? The worst thing?

11. What were the biggest changes you noticed from the beginning of the `60s to the end of the `60s? What is the most significant difference in American society today as opposed to the society of the 1960s?
12. What national figures did you admire? Were there any that you didn't?
13. How did the Cold War and concern with communism spill over into everyday life in America?
14. What are your personal recollections of growing up during the Cold War? How did you feel about the Soviet Union? Why?
15. Did your view of the war in Vietnam change over time? How, why, and when?
16. Was there a generational gap in your family regarding the issues of Vietnam or any other controversial topics of the time period?
17. Do you find there to be similarities between Iraq and Vietnam? Explain.
18. How did events of the `60s influence who you are today?
19. How did women's roles in your family/neighborhood change during the Women's
Lib. Movement?
20. If you could change anything about the 1960s, what would it be?
21. Did the events of the `60s (war, assassinations, etc.) cause you to lose faith in government? In society? In the future?
22. What impact did desegregation have on those around you?

[JaneYoung]

Thank you for this opportunity, Neil.
I hope you have many responses, we each have our own stories to tell I'm sure.
Great project, please be sure and pass that on to your teacher.
Jane

[nparikh]

Yay! One response, hopefully more to go. Okay, I'll up the ante! A Team 25 Hawaiian Shirt to anyone who responds the questionaire, and fills out at least 2/3 of the Topical Questions. This is for a project, so please don't cheap out, I need substance!

That's right, the person with the best response will recieve the famous Team 25 Hawaiian Shirt, only available in Large, sorry!

Thanks!

[RoboMom]

Hi Neil, darn it. I would have loved the excuse to sit down on Sat. and have you write the answers!
Love to have a shirt.
I'll try to start this tonight and finish tomorrow. I'm still recovering from yesterday (some of us were at Monty until 10 pm last night).

[KenWittlief]

Im 3 years under your age limit, but if you are in a pinch most of my friends were a few years older than me, so I guess my answers would be better than nothing?

let me know (PM me if you need more responses).

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

Im 3 years under your age limit, but if you are in a pinch most of my friends were a few years older than me, so I guess my answers would be better than nothing?

let me know (PM me if you need more responses).

Ken, your responses would be incredible, I'm sure.
Write them, I don't think there could be too many responses to this project after doing it. You could state your age on your submission.
I would love to see the final collection of reflections. - *hint* -

[nparikh]

You guys are awesome! Thanks to everyone for their responses, I'm writing my paper right now...(well I should be at least)

Neil

PS: I'm working on getting the shirts out right now!

[JaneYoung]

Paper suggestions

- no typos
- 'Rock on brother' looks best with a period rather than an exclamation point.
- the peace sign is done with straight fingers not bent - unless you are old
- 'Later.' is a whole sentence used with the peace sign following 'Rock on brother.'

Great job!
Jane

[KenWittlief]

'Dig.' Is a complete stand alone sentance (God I miss the '60s!)

[Adam Y.]

Where did you live during the Sixties?

Near what used to be a Nazi Bund camp. I actually went out on the junior prom with someone who lived at the former place and she ended up asking the mother if you still had to be German to get a house there like you did when the Nazis ran it. My grandma actually watched the Nazi marches.Here is information about the Bund My dad on the other hand lived on a farm.

How did popular culture, like TV, movies, and music, affect your life in the 1960s?

Dad named me and my brother after the characters in the television show Bonanza. Had no qualms whatsoever and even told the priest when he asked if he was naming me after Adam the religious figure. Then my mother asked to download this song recently. Little Boxes

[KenWittlief]

the best single summary I have heard that covers how most people felt about the anti-war movement in the 60's is Bob Dylans "Masters of War" (you never hear it on the oldies stations, in fact I dont think I have every heard it on the radio at all!)

The song pretty much says it all.

[JaneYoung]

Adam, I wonder if your mom sang Little Boxes for you?
It has a sing song rhythm to it and you just kind of float along - then wham - you 'get it' - Pete Seeger always did that.
60's explored levels - lots of levels, much of it through music.