That 70s america can as bad as 40s germany speaks volumes. Its a lot of work to fight evil, and just when you think you've won, it starts appearing again like mold in an old bathroom.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was as bad as Germany in the 40s, but I do think folks under 40 or 50 tend to think things were a lot better in the 70s than they were. Even though I experienced Jim Crow, it’s still difficult to imagine it actually happened.
Looking back on my youth I could have been killed any number of times by the calculus of your story. We used to steal beer out of people’s open garages. We called it “garaging.” Beer only. We were too young and stupid to even think about the consequences but had we, it never would have occurred to us that we could be shot dead by police with a sawed off shotgun.
That 70s america can as bad as 40s germany speaks volumes. Its a lot of work to fight evil, and just when you think you've won, it starts appearing again like mold in an old bathroom.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was as bad as Germany in the 40s, but I do think folks under 40 or 50 tend to think things were a lot better in the 70s than they were. Even though I experienced Jim Crow, it’s still difficult to imagine it actually happened.
Looking back on my youth I could have been killed any number of times by the calculus of your story. We used to steal beer out of people’s open garages. We called it “garaging.” Beer only. We were too young and stupid to even think about the consequences but had we, it never would have occurred to us that we could be shot dead by police with a sawed off shotgun.
A beautiful essay.
Thanks, Maggie! I have so many stories from those days. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.