Counter Culture and Counter-Counter Culture

During this time period, black culture began to grow rapidly, and many Americans began to pick up on these trends and rally behind them. A big part of black culture in the United States was music, specifically rap music and disco (3). Disco and rap music were very prominent during this time period, with many black artists making a name for themselves and growing to stardom. The growth and popularity of black culture wasn't completely effective in solving racial tension, but it definitely played a part in limiting it.

During the 1970's, the norms behind gender roles in the United States were challenged by groups that believed they were sexist, and it was time for a change (5). At this point in time, the gay community was still not accepted culturally in the United States and gay citizens began to fight for their rights, as well as for women's rights. These initial pushes to eliminate these roles led to eventual rulings that would give both groups equal rights under the law.

During the year 1968, idealists and progressives were left upset as many things they supported were taken from them. By 1968, their president elect, John F. Kennedy had been assassinated a few years before, Martin Luther King Jr, someone who supported their views and beliefs, was assassinated, and the peace they were fighting for still appeared out of reach (7). With all of these things going wrong in 1968, those who felt they lost everything acted like they had nothing to lose and fought harder for what they believed in.

Richard Nixon was the President of the United States from 1969 until his resignation in 1974 (9). Nixon's presidency was met with a lot of controversy due to the Vietnam war and the Watergate Scandal. Nixon's actions in office led to him being the first President of the United States to resign and capped off a time period where many things were going wrong.