The U.S. vs John Lennon
During the initial stages and the escalation of the Vietnam War, the American homefront was a turbulent environment to say the least. People like Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and Bobby Seale spoke out against the war and sparked a backlash against the tactics of the U.S. government. This time also marked the peaceful messages spread by Beatle, John Lennon. Reporter Gloria Emerson mocked Lennon by inquiring, "You don't [actually] think you've saved a single life" [by writing and singing songs about peace]? This statement is extremely ignorant, however. One must only look around in order to see the influence Lennon had on the American youth of the time. Lennon's songs and messages produced change in America by spreading the message of peace and providing a voice for which the younger generations could challenge the status quo. If one were to evaluate the impact of John Lennon on the surface, it may seem that he had little success in pitting himself against U.S. institutions. For one, Nixon won by a landslide victory in getting reelected in '72. Also, the FBI was constantly looking for ways in which they could eliminate Lennon as a threat to their pro-war message. Looking deeper into Lennon's life, however, we find that his impact and success as an artist was profound. Although Nixon, a pro-war candidate was reelected to office in '72 and several U.S. institutions viewed him as a threat, Lennon's peaceful tactics were heard by millions and became the unified voice of the younger generations. One FBI agent went as far as saying, "Anyone who didn't like [America] could either shut up or leave...that was the way, I think, all of us felt." This is also an ignorant comment made by an individual who was, himself, removed from the "counter-culture" of the time. Millions rallied and protested the war and their voices were unified through figures like Lennon. As long as individuals like this are in powerful positions, however, there is little chance for those out of power to be heard. In a democratic society, this strictly violates the prinicples to which this type of government is based on. The freedom of protest should be extended to every individual, even those deemed threats, such as Lennon.