Alex Li asserts in his 6/10 letter that baby boomer activism after Vietnam “died on the vine” and that “your activism did not enter your board rooms, involvement with your kids’ schools or neighborhood barbeques.” However, Li’s claims are not supported by the historical evidence.
Sociologists Richard Flacks and Jack Whalen studied the political engagement and career paths of former UC Santa Barbara anti-war activists in their 1989 book Beyond the Barricades: The Sixties Generation Grows Up. In addition, sociologist Doug McAdam examined the values and politics of student activists 15 years after their participation in the civil rights movement and, specifically, the 1964 “Freedom Summer” in Mississippi — a campaign led by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to register black voters.
These and other scholarly studies of post-Vietnam activism reach similar conclusions: Those who were most active and the leaders in the anti-war movement on campus later continued their activism and participation in anti-imperialist movements such as opposition to intervention in Central America; the global nuclear freeze movement; the renewed labor and civil rights movements, such as support for the United Farm Workers and Justice for Janitors; and the new social movements such as the environmental, food justice, feminist, LBGTQ and disability rights movements.
The changes that occurred due to the social movements of the 1960s were profound, though insufficient to uproot structural inequality and racism and curb American intervention in Third World nations. Nonetheless, history suggests that one generation’s achievements build upon those who came before.
Marty Bennett
Sonoma, California
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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