Are you of an age to remember folk singers who poured their souls out to expose what they saw as issues we all needed to recognize? I’m feeling kind of nostalgic tonight and wanted to share some memories from those long ago years.
This concert was in 1986.
Even earlier, Peter, Paul, and Mary gave us this song Bob Dylan wrote in 1963:
The same song in a duo, 1983
More than thirty years ago. Thirty. Years.
Seriously…how many more years will it take?
Mona Karel Author 
I grew up in California in the 1960s, and I remember the music but it wasn’t until I was an adult that I really appreciated these artists and their songs. My husband and I saw Peter, Paul and Mary in an outdoor concert about 15 years ago, and they were still amazing.
As to your question … not to be too cliche, but Dylan was right: The answer is blowin’ in the wind. As long as there are humans, we will destroy each other. Not until the Lord comes back will things ultimately be set right.
But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep writing songs and blog posts and standing up for what’s right and treating one another with compassion and respect.
Thanks for the stroll down memory lane. I sure miss Mary Travers.
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I was in Japan in the late 60’s finishing off High School in Yokohama as a Navy dependent while my father flew in Vietnam. I skated in Yokosuka with people who might not be there the next time I took the bus down. I never participated in the rallies my more activists friends attended, living mostly too far away when I did return to the states. But I never stopped talking and now writing. I think we’re never too old to stand up and say ENOUGH.
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I’m reading “Unbroken,” the WWII story of 1936 Olympic runner Louie Zamperini, and the last thing I read before putting it down at bedtime last night (it’s HARD to put down) was about a battle that put Louie’s warplane out of commission for good. After the plane made it back to base, the men counted 594 holes in it. It was said that not one of the nine Zeros (the Japanese planes that attacked them) made it home, and it was a miracle that our boys survived (actually, one of the nine crewmembers didn’t make it).
This book is a testament to the human spirit, but reading about the war is so sad, as many, many lives were lost needlessly. As long as there are humans, we will feel the need to conquer and take, no matter what the cost.
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Unbroken is on my TBR list for sure
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I started reading it because I thought it was about runners! Imagine my surprise when the running parts were over just a few chapters in. š It’s still a fantastic book, though.
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I was in boarding school in Washington, DC in 1969-70. What an amazing time to be there. 14 years old! I saw Peter, Paul and Mary in concert at the Kennedy Center. So beautiful- I wept through the whole thing. Made a huge impression on my young, hopeful, idealistic mind. Also marched in the Nov. Moratorium that year (’69) thanks to a close friend’s mother who was marching in it and took us both with her. Amazing that the school let us out for that, but they did!
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What a great place and time to be there.I was in the DC area in 1964 when John Kennedy died, then another place outside the Beltway (VERY new at the time) until we went to Japan in 1967. Good for you having that friend to guide you
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Must now listen to all my P,P,M music and ALL the John Denver. Here’s another… Does it even get better than this?
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I almost pulled that one out, even though it didn’t go with theme, because I love it so much. Love most of John Denver’s music
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That was awesome! Two more wonderful artists whose gift lives on.
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