Taking Woodstock
Well, we went to the movies Sunday afternoon. We'd seen the preview, erm, trailer, for "Taking Woodstock," and thought it looked interesting. I sort of hoped it would shed some light on something I'd heard about for forty years and never really understood.We sat there watching this re-enactment of thousands of people of our approximate vintage experiencing this cultural phenomenon. I kept waiting to understand. But that didn't happen.
I couldn't stop thinking of exactly where we were when Woodstock took place. My husband -- whose college education had unceremoniously been interrupted by the draft board -- and I were living in substandard enlisted housing on a military base in Florida, waiting for orders that more than likely would send him off to Vietnam to quite possibly give his life and our future together for his country. While these clowns -- thousands of them -- were doing drugs, rolling in mud, dancing naked, and, in general, acting like idiots.
I didn't understand it then. And I don't understand it now.
A Facebook "friend" writes, "My ex was there and still considers it one of the high points of his life."
Sheesh.
Comments
But it was interesting to see the interviews with some of the participants, people whose lives were changed. People who met their future spouse at the festival. The people who hated that kind of thing didn't stay. I wouldn't have stayed. Hate noisy music; hate mud; hate sleeping in informal places, etc. I doubt that I'd "suffer" that much for an ideology or non-ideology. I'd make a horse-shit soldier, I guess.
As a teacher, I look back on that time as a great upheaval.... so many were trying so hard to preserve our nation and its freedoms in the same way their father's had during WW II.... but times were different, and I think Woodstock is a reflection of the changing times..... an extreme reflection but still a reflection.
I don't agree with those that dodged their responsibilities (draft or otherwise) and believe me, standing around in a muddy field is not my cup of tea.
I think what is amazing is all of those kids that said "Don't trust anyone over 30" are now the people they were telling each other not to trust.
Just musing away.... thanks for sharing this!!!
Hugs!
I enjoyed your post!
Micki
Musically as it loosely provided a framework for events such as Live Aid and Farm Aid (meaning here: Large Musical Events can be held outside & improved upon) and socially. Socially because it was an expression of the young people for Peace during the Vietnam War. There's much more to the meaning than the drugs, sex and mud - I would submit.
Altamont (Calif.) was going to be something similar but was marred by a murder committed by the Hells Angels. I think if you were to compare to the two events and possibly include the Monterey Pop Festival you could see the social significance (or not).
...Thanks to my Dad for some of this. *karendianne.
Would have loved to have been there, a little mud never bothered me. In my opinion it was how big it was and the fact that most got along that made it the event that it was.