It was fifty years ago that people around the world gathered around a television to witness a marvelous feat of human perseverance and accomplishment. It was July 20, 1969 that Neil Armstrong stepped down from the lunar module on to the moon’s surface and uttered the phrase, “That’s one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.” It was a shinning day for the space program and brought to fruition President Kennedy’s challenge for America to be the first to land on the moon. It was an event that brought together Americans from all walks of life and from all political ideologies. For a moment, all of America was on the same page, regardless of race, ethnic background, religious ideology, occupation, or economic status. Landing on the moon served as a coalescing event which led to, temporarily, setting aside the bitterness and hatred that had been rampant during the 60’s. There was a “oneness” that was pervasive throughout the country.
Keep in mind that the 1960’s was a turbulent decade of painful confrontation. The assassinations of President John Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Senator Robert Kennedy were grim reminders of how “differences” could reach such a traumatic level. The Civil Rights Movement provided a daily reminder of the extent to which the human spirit will go to achieve a measure of respect and dignity. The bus boycott in Montgomery, the march from Selma to Montgomery, the Children’s March in Birmingham, sit-ins at lunch counters throughout the south were reminders of a divided nation. The burning of the Freedom Riders bus in Anniston, Alabama, the police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham and the untold number of lynching’s reinforced the reality of “two worlds” The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, which left four young girls dead, was a painful reminder of how far the Ku Klux Klan would go to instill fear and intimidation in the black communities. The number of blacks who were arrested, jailed and convicted of trumped-up charges was quite common occurrence throughout the south.
Other traumatic aspects of the 60’s included the war in Vietnam which was pulling individuals and families in varied directions. Leaders were being challenged as to the reason young men and women were dying or being maimed for life defending such an obscure area of the world. Thousands returned home in a “pine box” and thousands of others returned with injuries that would be with them for the rest of their lives. Demonstrations against the war and the pain it was inflicting on the nation were common. Riots left cities throughout the country in charred ruins. Businesses were looted and many small business owners were left with nothing. The Democratic Convention was held in Chicago and this led to the streets of the city being turned into battlegrounds as demonstrators clashed with police.
The approval of the oral contraceptive led to young people being swept into the era of “free love”. The “peace and love” movement culminated in the Woodstock Music Festival which drew thousands to a remote area of New York. The passage of civil rights legislation and the voting rights bill were positive happenings during the 60’s. Medicare and Medicaid were added as amendments to the Social Security Act and provided a medical safety net for a multitude of Americans. Ford Motor Company produced the Mustang automobile and other car manufacturers followed with the production of their “muscle cars”. The Beatles landed on American shores and were a rousing success for several years. All was not problematic during the 60’s.
Indeed, the decade of 1960 was a period characterized by a great deal of conflict, division and hatred. As we pause and reflect on what was occurring during this time, do we see some of the same conflict, division and hatred today. The root cause is not the same as we have seen in the past, but some of the outcomes are quite similar. Division and difference characterize the current times. The extent of behavior influenced by hatred toward difference is ever so like what we experienced during the 60’s. In the absence of a landing on the moon, we need leadership that encourages coming together and working together to deal with issues and concerns. We need a leader who appreciates the diversity that is the hallmark of this country. We need a leader who can effectively modify and handle opinions that may not be familiar with his own. We need a leader who respects the dignity of all humankind and kindles an environment of acceptance. We need a leader who puts the country above self. We do not need a leader who fans the flames of hatred. We do not need a leader who relishes in the expressions of bitterness. We do not need a leader who demeans those who are a bit different. There needs to be a commitment to work toward the reconciliation of difference and seek to achieve that oneness that we experience on July 20, 1968.