The Times They Have A-changed

[speedbird591]

I very nearly missed this piece of news of historic significance. Perhaps it means more to those of us who are a bit older.

Michelle Obama's concert

Michelle Obama organised an informal concert in The White House to celebrate the success of the Civil Rights movement. For those of us who were so angry at the inequalities of life during the 60s, this is the most heart-warming and thrilling occasion. Who among us would ever have predicted that one day there would be a black president and that Bob Dylan would be singing 'The Times they are A-changin' ' and Joan Baez 'We Shall Overcome' in the White House at the invitation of a black first lady? If only Martin Luther King could have seen it. And on the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's release as well. Fantastic!

It's quite moved me to tears. Maybe there is hope for the world after all.

Ian

[DaveB]

Maybe there is hope for the world after all.

Would that be Bob or No??

Wasn't really old enough to care much about what was happening then Ian. It was on TV and therefore not real! However, the same inequalities but in another place (South Africa) became very real in the mid 70's when a ship I was on popped into Cape Town. It's one thing to see it on the box but another to see that sort of thing with your own peepers

ATB

DaveB

[speedbird591]

Yes, I spent a lot of time in Jo'burg in the 70s, Dave. I used to get very angry at what I saw. I very nearly got knifed for wanting to help a black security guard outside a night club who was bleeding to death in the gutter from a head wound. The whites who put him there promised that any kaffir lovers would soon be joining him. They followed us to another club and let us know that they'd be waiting when we left. There were only four of us, one a girl, but fortunately one guy was ex-Foreign Legion and he gave us a very useful course on urban survival. Thankfully we didn't need it but it's a lesson I've never forgotten.

Anyway - apart from that - I'm very disappointed at your attitude towards the civil rights struggle, young man! Perhaps I feel closer to the events because of my black roots

Although the present Mrs Speedbird does say that I'm a bit old for it and should let them grow out naturally ...

Ian

[DaveB]

Perhaps I feel closer to the events because of my black roots

Once black roots perhaps but that was some time ago I fear

ATB

DaveB

[airboatr]

but fortunately one guy was ex-Foreign Legion and he gave us a very useful course on urban survival.


Ian

street foot-ball ?