How do the college protests of today compare to college protests of the 1960s?

COL Jon Thompson — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 21:18:57 -0500

With the recent college protests in the news, I started wondering how these compare to what took place around the nation in the 1960s. In both cases, we had student occupy the President's offices at some well known prestigious institutions. Students were demanding social change and in both cases, some of it was race-related. I am interested in hearing what you think the causes are, how are they different and how are they similar. Is there really a big difference between what many call this entitled generation and the baby boomers of the 1960s?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 7 at 2015 9:21 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 21:21:30 -0500

COL Jon Thompson In the 60s, CA Berkley was inundated by the Free Speech Movement. Mario Savio led the movement to say f--- in public places. Later a elementary school teacher in Downey, CA he passed away several years ago.

A friend was 'called' by the Governor of CA for NG duty quelling the 'riots' at Berkley. The "flower
girls' stuck flowers in the muzzles of the rifles the Guardsmen were carrying.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Dec 7 at 2015 9:21 PM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 21:21:56 -0500

Big difference in my opinion. Today's protests are because people's feelings are being hurt or they think something like a flag is offensive to minorities.

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Dec 7 at 2015 9:26 PM

SSG Michael Hartsfield — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 21:26:46 -0500

No there isn't. Colleges have always been places where young people are exposed to and have an opportunity to express new ideas different from where they were raised. The only thing different about the protests of the 60s and today is FaceBook

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 7 at 2015 11:21 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 23:21:27 -0500

In the 60s and early 70s, the number of colleges and the percentage of students participating was much higher. Add to that the rest of society being so down on the war. I remember getting spit on for having a tight haircut. For a while, wigs were authorized. Sailors would grow their hair longer and put a fuzz dome on. That ended after Zumwalt.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 7:24 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 07:24:01 -0500

the wheel on the bus ... things are coming back ... stronger ...

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Dec 8 at 2015 6:35 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 18:35:32 -0500

I think they were and are both uninformed and need to do some research about what they speak. Hearing interviews of protesters just confirms the impression.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 9:32 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 21:32:30 -0500

Same movement, but with much less thought and depth. Listen to the protest songs of the '60s. I don't care one lick for Peter, Paul and Mary's politics, but "The Answer Is Blowin' In The Wind" has depth that can be appreciated by anyone. Who's writing "The Draft Dodger Rag" today? Nope, it's kids who can't swing a hammer, drive a tractor, drive a picket, make hay, or run a saw posting ridiculous memes on facebook.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Dec 10 at 2015 4:40 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 16:40:30 -0500

Anti-war protests are as old as our nation. Hurt feelings and rewrite history protests are juvenile misbehavior that should be handled as such