Date: December, ,2013
Janice Mayfield
My Nana
Born: February 27, 1939
I turned 21 in 1960 and by the end of the decade I was married with two daughters, ages seven and four.
1. Where did you live throughout the 60's?
California
2. How did you feel about our involvement in Vietnam? Were you a hawk or dove, did you agree or disagree with Johnsons war policy?
I didn't question Vietnam at the time. The draft was in effect at the time and guys were exempt from it if they were in college. Some men went to Canada to avoid going to war, they were called "draft dodgers." People burned the American flag and a lot of protests were happening during this time.
3. What was your view on civil rights? Did you think of African-Americans as equals? Did your feelings change over the decade?
I supported the Civil Rights Movement. I always thought of African Americans as equals. I didn't approve at all of how they were treated, my closest friends at the time felt the same way. I didn't grow up with prejudice.
4. Who was your favorite band or musician of the 60's?
Some of my favorite musicians of the time were Neil Diamond, Glenn Campbell, Sonny and Cher. I didn't enjoy listening to the "hard rock" which came after the mid 60's.
5.What were something's you liked wearing during this time?
Men were wearing leisure suits (matching pants and jackets in pastel colors). Women wore short skirts and go-go boots. Nancy Sinatra sang a popular song "these boots were made for walking."
6. What was your house like at the time? Who lived with you?
I lived in a ranch style house with 3/4 bedrooms, two baths, a family room and a living room. I lived with my husband and my two daughters who were born in 1963 and 1966.
7.Who was your favorite president of the 60's and why? (Kennedy, Johnson, or Nixon)
My favorite president of the decade was President Kennedy. He was my favorite because it was the first time I could vote. I also liked Nixon and voted for him too by he was caught doing something's he shouldn't have. However the administration has been caught with things as bad as the Watergate scandal, NSA surveillance and the Benghazi cover up. There has also been the IRS tax scandal and the Fast and Furious gun scandal. Both to which they haven't taken responsibility for. I didn't like Johnson, he was quite dishonest and I'm not sure why Kennedy would have chosen him to be his Vice President.
8. Were you a supporter of the Feminist movement?
I supported the Feminist movement. I always approved of equal rights for women. I didn't pay much attention to the movement though. I know a lot of protestors burned their bras though.
9. With the growing concern for the environment at the time how did you view our Earth? Did it change at all?
I didn't think much of the environment at the time. I lived in California so we had a lot of smog due to all the car emissions. Since then those have been improved now though.
10. What were some of your favorite TV shows or movies?
Some TV shows I liked at the time were the Ed Sullivan Show which was a variety of shows featuring musicians, they were the first to introduce Elvis. Another favorite of mine and my daughter's was Mr. Ed which featured a talking horse. Bonanza was a weekly western show I enjoyed. Glen Campbell show was hosted by himself and featured him singing along with other musicians. Lawrence Welk was a big dance band show out of Hollywood, it was pretty big at the time.
11. What do you remember about the Kennedy assassination?
I could not believe it when I heard about Kennedy's assassination. It was a very sad time in history. We all mourned him and could not believe something like that could happen.
12. What were your thoughts on the Cuban Missile Crisis? How did it make you feel about the country and its government?
The Cuban Missile Crisis was very scary, the fact that Russia could bring missiles that close to the U.S. Thank goodness President Kennedy took a stand and fortunately we didn't have to invade Cuba.
13. What do you remember about the Apollo 11 mission when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon?
Neil Armstrong landing on the moon was VERY big and most memorable. Since then look at everything it has led to.
Landon on the moon has created a whole space program for our country including satellites and a lot of other technology we enjoy today.
14. What's one invention from the 60's you remember and how did it affect you?
Transistor Radios were the little radios you could hold in your hand. Those were helpful to have so you didn't have to sit around one radio and listen you could now how it in your hand and go somewhere. Computers were also another big invention, the first ones were so big that they would take up an entire room and needed a special cooling system.
15. How did you feel about the counterculture movement? What did you think of hippies?
The first word that comes to mind is hippies, that was a very strange and different way of life! it was very foreign to those of us newly married with jobs, home and family. I didn't approve of their way of life.
16. Is there one fashion trend you wish would come back or you hope never comes back? why?
I hope leisure suits that the men of the decade wore never come back, those were just ugly.
17. Did you enjoy living in the 60's? Why?
I did enjoy living in the 60's mostly because it was the time I started my family and that it has led to many wonderful decades since. I have loved them all!