Re: Re: Antiwar Movement & Civil Rights Movement

John Andrew (J_Andrew@ACAD.FANDM.EDU)
Thu, 18 Apr 1996 18:25:11 -0400

Ted Morgan argued, in part:
I would argue that it's precisely BECAUSE the civil rights movement posed a
LESS fundamental challenge to deep-seated structural and ideological aspects
of American culture that it resonates more with the vast majority. I mean
even right wingers who bash the 60s take great pains to disassociate the civil
rights movement from the hated "60s." With hindsight, the primary principles
and goals of the civil rights movement are right in the center of the American
mainstream; no one can deny them except resentful racists. I think you
acknowledge this.

I would argue that this is not quite right - that is, the CR movement did
challenge more profoundly than the antiwar movement the structural aspects
of Amer. society- but the latter challenged ideological aspects that were
more difficult for Americans to revise- that is, the antiwar movement
challenged the [often knee-jerk] patriotism and nationalist feelings
embraced by so many Americans - who found it difficult if not impossible to
separate a critical view of their country's policies from criticism of
their country - and in the end found it all-too-easy to criticize those who
critiqued the policies as un-American critics of the country and its ideals
-
what joined the two movements, it seems to me, is that conviction
by many participants that both were essential if the US were to live up to
its stated ideals -probably easier to accept on domestic matters, esp.
moral ones, than in foreign policy -esp. after two decades of cold war and
its accompanying "education" at all levels of Amer. society -
John Andrew

John Andrew email: J_ANDREW@ACAD.FANDM.EDU
Department of History fax 717-399-4413
Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, PA. 17604-3003

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