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The Spark that Went Out
I grew up in the ’70s. I remember so much about that time and how my camp counselors tried so hard to hold on to what little remained of the magic that defined the ’60s. Peace and love became the theme of that generation and they started a worldwide cultural revolution. There was a rise and spread of student movements across many parts of the industrialized world. There was a growing number of young people protesting racial injustice, war, and police brutality, notably on the left. It was the first time in history when we saw the public at large experimenting in alternative ways to achieve higher consciousness. The influence of eastern mysticism and shamanism started to bleed through into American culture. There was a massive wave of peace activists, environmentalists, and free thinkers. It was a time when Americans believed in free love, world peace, and spiritual wisdom. Their spark had all the momentum. The energy of a whole generation was winning over the forces of evil. It grew so bright; it almost engulfed the entire world. But sadly, some unknown force took away all of its oxygen and slowed its momentum, until all that was left was a dim shimmering light that faded in the wind and then finally went out.
Now, 60 years later, a whole new wave of young activists has emerged. People all over the world are starting to develop a genuine concern for the planet, its ecosystem, and its people. A conscious revolution is re-emerging once again. It is a new spark of consciousness where people are feeling their oneness and are opening their eyes to a more universal spirituality.
Sadly, we are seeing right before our eyes, this new age of awakening being crushed once again by the same forces that killed it the first time. I didn’t think they could stop our momentum this time. We were so strong and riding on a new wave of spirituality and metaphysics without the drugs and cigarettes. Who would have thought that so many people who practice yoga, meditation, wellness, self-love, organic foods, supporting clean energy and sustainability, would move over to the other side? The same side that stomped out that light and everything they stood for and fought for during the love generation? Who would have thought that the new age spiritualists and hippies, would turn against their own beliefs and support the side that is anti-everything; anti-Muslim, anti-homosexuality, anti-trans rights, anti-equality, anti-immigration, pro-nationalism, and pro-America first.
How did I lose so many of my friends to the side that is always putting profit before the planet? What has changed? Was it the influx of conspiracy theories? Because we already believed in a healthy chunk of conspiracy theories and it didn’t turn us backward before. So why now? Sure, most of us believed that 9/11 was an inside job, or that there is probably a deep state behind the world governments who control things behind the scenes; who use their power to start and stop wars, manipulate the stock market and elections, and control the media. That’s not new! So what changed? What happened to my loving progressive liberals and Bernie followers who believed in non-violence, the preservation of the Earth, the Green New Deal, and ending racism? What happened? How did you turn from spiritual to supporting four more years of Trump authoritarianism? How do you go from a Jedi Master to a callous villain who cuts down his victims with meanness, injustice, and truculence?
