Chiacgo 1968

[WillyT]

[Bagsgroove]

1. The whole world was watching

Powerful video, thanks for posting that. We need to remember.

I grew up in a small town, all white, sheltered middle class. I grew up knowing that the policeman was my friend. He was the nice man who said hello to my mother by name, patted me on the head, and was there to protect me.

I wasn't much interested in politics, but when I was 14 I watched the TV coverage of the 1968 Chicago convention. It was one of those few moments in life that transformed my world. I saw policemen removing their badges to avoid identification, then wading into crowds of kids not much older than I was and beating them.

It made me start to question how much else I had grown up taking for granted as true was a lie. Turns out, it was a lot. I'm an old man now, and I wish sometimes I could go back to the world I believed in before 1968. But that world never really existed.

[Journeyman]

2. If you get an opportunity, watch "Medium Cool" (1969). . .

It's a feature film shot within the police riot at the Democratic convention. A mix of documentary and feature film in the cinéma vérité style. They were there to film one movie, but as the riot broke out they revamped the entire film to take advantage of the chaos. An amazing look at the riot, the convention, the concerns and mores of the times -- all caught live as the civilized world disintegrated around the film crew.

Here's the trailer. . .

The opening scene . . .

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The police turn violent. . .

It seems that most of the film is on youtube now, cut into 10-15 minute clips. A remarkable achievement, a stunning story.

[hobbit709]

3. I remember quite well. I got whomped and gassed more than once.

[Archae]

4. "Chiacgo?"

Whoops!

[Derek V]

5. A long time ago, in an America far, far away

Today, the whole world is texting, oblivious to what's right in front of its face.