What's Going On? 1969-1974

When we think of the 60s today, we may conjure a young girl topless and high on LSD, dancing to wild rock and roll music. But those years weren t at all like that for much of America. Our visions of this time often come more from imagination than from reality. What was really going on? In that era, America was deeply divided and at war with itself. The flamboyant, glamorous myth of a whole generation seeking freedom is so much more appealing to our idea of ourselves as Americans that we are ever reaching toward the new, throwing off the old. But there was a very gritty side to those years, too. It took great struggles to right injustices and move our culture toward a more egalitarian society. Enormous strides were made, but with the abruptness of an earthquake relieving pent-up pressure along a fault line and often, seemingly, with just as much disruption. Yet at the same time, daily life continued apace for many: school days and playtimes, barbecues and roller rinks, front porches and days at the beach. These pages offer a portrait of America the way it really was for me as I lived it and documented it from 1969, when I turned 18 and first began to identify myself as a photographer, through President Nixon s resignation in 1974, which many consider the true end of the decade. For those of us who were there, this portrait will spark thoughtful remembrances. For those who were not there, it will add to your understanding of our collective history. This was a time in America we should not forget. It was a time when young Americans saw much promise and felt that fundamental change was possible. It was a time when young people could dream of a better world.