rogerinblueongray

rogerinblueongray

Feb 10, 2025

COUNTER-REVOLUTION

 COUNTER- REVOLUTION

At Woodstock in 1969, the Jefferson Airplane (starship) sang 
“Volunteers of America” telling the crowd “We got a revolution.” 

I entered college in 1968. In sixty-nine, I had a mustache. By 1972 a beard. In 1977, I got my first teaching job at Saint Cloud State University. I had been teaching college classes at WMU and USU since 1972. I was an instructor at USU. At Saint Cloud I was an Assistant Professor. Until St. Cloud, I had not cut my hair or beard.

I cut my hair and trimmed my beard for the interview in St. Cloud. When friends asked me why I cut my hair. My glib answer was “We Lost the Revolution.” Of course, being clean cut and wearing a suit helped me get that first teaching job.  

I don’t regret cutting my hair, and I still have a beard. What I regret is our peaceful, albeit naïve, attempt to change the culture failed. To create change, most of us blended in, followed the rules, and played the game. We went to work, got married, had families, and started saving for retirement. Our philosophy was “Go along to get along.” Even in radical academia, where I spent half my life, this was true.  

In 2020, we witnessed an attempted coup. A violent revolution that failed. With its failure, many cheered, believing that democracy and reason, the rule of law had won. In the near term it had, but we were forgetting about history.

In November 1923, the Beer Hall Putsch was a failed coup d’état by Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler. The putsch was inspired by Benito Mussolini’s successful March on Rome in October, 1922. Whether successful or failed, these violent revolutions ultimately resulted in a country without laws ruled by a fascist dictator. Hitler won the country because of his inspiring speeches and a propaganda machine. Mussolini by propaganda, brown shirts, and brutality.

Right now, there is a revolution going on. So far, it is peaceful. Using propaganda, ignoring laws, and playing the system to get their desired result.

The fact nearly half of America are “okay” with what is happening doesn’t make it right.

Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat history.





WINE GLASSES Acrylic with a Palate Knife 2 10 2025



WINE GLASSES
Acrylic with a Palate Knife