The United States has undergone significant transformations and the sixties avail much evidence regarding the country’s history. For instance, some people consider that period as been a time of hedonism while others deem the period as a time of social responsibility. Contrasting arguments abound regarding hedonism and social responsibility as those supporting hedonism indicate that women rights, gay rights, multiculturalism and ecology were promoting “hedonistic impulses” at that period. On the other hand, those advocating for social responsibility deem the arguments by hedonism proponents as misled because the rights were advocated to ensure a more just society for all. Several points abound why the left and right wing became radical by the end of the decade. These include the need to eliminate the government that they considered as an establishment and campaigning for all American’s equality. Three main changes initiated in the sixties that are still with us include consumer protection, civil rights campaign and environmental reform. This paper provides reasons regarding why the sixties is considered as a time of social responsibility, reasons why the left and right wing became radical at the close of the decade and the changes initiated in the sixties that are still with us (Curran, Petley and Gaber 142).
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The sixties are considered as a period of heightened social responsibility basing on the events that were taking place at that time. For instance, much campaign regarding women and gay’s right was taking place at that time. In addition, campaigns regarding ecology and multiculturalism were taking place. Concerning women and gay rights, those advocating for their rights indicated equality as the main purpose of their pressure. The reason why sixties is considered a period of heightened social responsibility is the fact that the decision regarding social affairs was left to individual prerogative. This is ascertained from the fact that those campaigning for women and gay rights were bold enough to affirm the fact that if anybody was against gays, one should not marry a gay person and regarding women’s rights, anyone against abortions was not to engage in an abortion. Regarding the economy, which was under the right wing, it can be noted that they promoted anti-materialism, and this was done through rebelling against their parents who were focused on amassing wealth for economic security. Counterculture search was also on the rise at that period although it did not promote individual profit at the expense of the community (Curran, Petley and Gaber 74). Heightened social responsibility is also visible from the “Hippies” who despite their lack of focus in overthrowing the establishment picked up values of counterculture such as spiritual sense, tolerating other people’s lifestyles and been welcoming and accommodative of new experiences.Both the Left and the Right became radical by the end of the decade through several ways. They became more radical at the end of the decade through continued engagement in non-violent protests all over the United States of America. Left’s were known for non-violent protests all over the United States of America advocating equality and fair representation in the country. Leftist leaders such as Martin Luther King Junior led their followers in non-violent protests in demand for their rights. Non-violent protests were seen as the most effective method to employ in dealing with the government that had refused to listen to the rights of blacks in the United States of America (Divine, Fredrickson and Breen 407).
More so, both the Left and the Right became radical through the formation of significant movements, which advocated different issues. The Young Americans for Reform was one of the key movements used by the Right. It was against some of the cultural changes that were being agitated by the Left. Some of these movements such as the Young Americans for Reform participated in scattered violent actions around the country. It is worth noting that the Right was against the agitations of the Left, but as time went by, they became more similar as they protested against the government. These two aspects represent the manner in which the Left and the Right became radical by the end of the decade.
The Left and the Right became more radical at the end of the decade because of the demand for equality. Both of these groups protested against the government, which was commonly referred to as “the establishment.” They wanted civil rights and other vital issues relating to Americans to be addressed instead of focusing on other insignificant issues such war against Communists. Both of them wanted to ensure America achieves a level of both racial, gender, and age equality (Hoffman, Gjerde and Blum 411).
Some of the key changes initiated in the sixties that are still with us today include environmental reform, civil rights and consumer protection. Currently, individuals all over the United States of America are still advocating and demanding civil rights especially for the minority groups. This change was initiated in the sixties and demanded for fairness when handling minority groups such as African-Americans. The issue of civil rights aims at achieving social justice for every individual within society and ensuring the rule of law is upheld effectively all over the United States of America. Another significant change that is still with us is consumer protection. Movements came up in demand for the rights of consumers with the aim of ensuring consumers were treated fairly in the market. Fair treatment of consumers in the market is still an issue in the current America as monopolies are prevented against discriminating consumers in the United States of America. Consumer protection was also a significant change as it helped prevent advantageous businesspersons in the economy from discriminating Americans in form of low supplies and higher prices of goods and service. The last significant change that is still with us today is environmental reform. The environment remains a significant component of human life, and it is always available to support effective living among individuals. Radicals in the 1960s called for the formulation of effective laws, which could ensure the environment was safeguarded for the good of Americans. This is still a current issue as the American government and other significant authorities formulate rules to ensure environmental protection. These rules and regulations are set for industries and the entire country with the aim of alleviating the effects of global warming (Jones, Wood and Borstelmann 176).
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Liberals won the culture wars of the sixties. This is indicated by the fact that the Liberal’s progressive ideas are still being used as a benchmark for an effective American society that upholds civil rights and the rule of law for everyone.
In conclusion, the 60s abound much history to the current US history. For instance, it is a decade considered by some as a period of hedonism while others prefer heightened social responsibility. Matters regarding left and right wing also emanated during that period, and many changes initiated during that time still abound currently. Reasons why it is a period of heightened social responsibility include campaigns for women and gay rights, ecology and multiculturalism. In addition, the counterculture search proponents adopted the values of the group such as tolerance of other people’s lifestyles and spiritual sense. Regarding left and right wing, research indicates that they became radical in order to attain equality for all the people and eliminate the government, which they considered as an establishment (Curran, Petley and Gaber 102). Lastly, various changes were initiated during that period and are still with us currently. These changes include environmental reform, civil rights and consumer protection.