In the spring of 1972, when I was a high school teacher, I arranged for all the juniors and seniors in the school to view a special showing of a movie called Joe, that dealt with changes taking place in American society. It seemed like a good fit for my Contemporary Problems classes where we had been discussing the issues of drugs, alienation, the sexual revolution, the student rebellion, feminism, the war in Viet Nam, racial conflicts, the so-called “generation gap” and, in general, the fissures forming in the country.
Gracie, yes, it was a good lesson. When you read "The Greening of America," was it generally praised in class? Did anyone take exception? Did the professor pass it off as the gospel? I suppose not all changes were bad, but so much change so quickly, was disruptive. The Joe incident was a minor anecdote compared to the more impactful changes , especially in education. Thanks, as always for your comments.
Oh, and your piece made me think of this version of Paul Simon's An American Tune. I think it was released originally by S&G in 1973 but this tender version sung by the much older Simon is poignant . Still applies for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Gmp0Xvm1Q
"The sixties zeitgeist." - isn't that the truth. The Greening of America was one of the texts in my college Freshman or sophomore level sociology class. I still remember the great excitement it engendered. I went to a state university in the SF Bay area so you know I was in the thick of it. There was a revolution - flawed in places - and it did make people pause and wonder about what is right. I find it interesting that the Catholic Church (which drove my childhood) also began institutional change at that time. Something in the air said it was time for change. I mean, everything changes, no doubt but the societal changes between 1963 and IDK - 1980? were shattering and not always in a bad way. I really liked your piece, Fred. As a former middle school administrator, I hear you. NEVER shoe a video or take kids to something you haven't completely previewed! Good lesson for you, heh?
Gracie, I may have responded to you somewhere else. so if you've heard this before...... It's been a while since I read, "The Greening of America." What particularly annoyed me was that he attributed some kind of innate wisdom to inexperienced and self-important kids. I've used parts of his book to stimulate class discussions.
David, I remember them well. I didn't see them as personally arrogant; they liked their jobs and would go along with any educational fad that came along. I think the foolishness was due, in part, to being caught up in the sixties zeitgeist. Most school administrators I knew, had no real educational philosophy. Some only had goals of maintaining the facade of education;. It was a gradual, declining process, over decades. Still, you would have to be morally blind (or in my case, impulsive) to allow a film like that.
I didn't know that; I never watched "Raymond." I think he died a while ago.
Joe was Frank, Raymond’s father in “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
Wow, what a great story!
Glad you liked it, Frederick. And thanks for subscribing. You have a ton of great stuff on your Substack
Gracie, yes, it was a good lesson. When you read "The Greening of America," was it generally praised in class? Did anyone take exception? Did the professor pass it off as the gospel? I suppose not all changes were bad, but so much change so quickly, was disruptive. The Joe incident was a minor anecdote compared to the more impactful changes , especially in education. Thanks, as always for your comments.
Oh, and your piece made me think of this version of Paul Simon's An American Tune. I think it was released originally by S&G in 1973 but this tender version sung by the much older Simon is poignant . Still applies for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Gmp0Xvm1Q
"The sixties zeitgeist." - isn't that the truth. The Greening of America was one of the texts in my college Freshman or sophomore level sociology class. I still remember the great excitement it engendered. I went to a state university in the SF Bay area so you know I was in the thick of it. There was a revolution - flawed in places - and it did make people pause and wonder about what is right. I find it interesting that the Catholic Church (which drove my childhood) also began institutional change at that time. Something in the air said it was time for change. I mean, everything changes, no doubt but the societal changes between 1963 and IDK - 1980? were shattering and not always in a bad way. I really liked your piece, Fred. As a former middle school administrator, I hear you. NEVER shoe a video or take kids to something you haven't completely previewed! Good lesson for you, heh?
Gracie, I may have responded to you somewhere else. so if you've heard this before...... It's been a while since I read, "The Greening of America." What particularly annoyed me was that he attributed some kind of innate wisdom to inexperienced and self-important kids. I've used parts of his book to stimulate class discussions.
Funny thing is that now I can't even remember why it was so exciting. We were so much younger then in so many ways.
Your principals remind me that the price of arrogance is foolishness.
David, I remember them well. I didn't see them as personally arrogant; they liked their jobs and would go along with any educational fad that came along. I think the foolishness was due, in part, to being caught up in the sixties zeitgeist. Most school administrators I knew, had no real educational philosophy. Some only had goals of maintaining the facade of education;. It was a gradual, declining process, over decades. Still, you would have to be morally blind (or in my case, impulsive) to allow a film like that.
Interesting....