Shelley Brucar
"Decades Series"
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| 1990s – Age of Information | 1970s – Give Peace a Chance |
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| 1980s – Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor | 1950s - 1960s |
| (Photos by Patrick Fraser) |
1990s – Age of Information
Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to NBA championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998. The World Cup title went to U.S. Women’s Soccer team (1st of 3). Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the 2nd female Supreme Court justice. The Age of Information exploded with the creation of the Internet, the World Wide Web and Google. And we worried endlessly about Y2K.
1970s – Give Peace a Chance
Activism continued into the 70s with protests against the war in Vietnam and for equal rights for women, Blacks, and gays. The 70s saw huge gains in technology including the first home computers, the first email, and the first mobile phone.
As a college student, I remember passionately marching against the war and the agonizing day of waiting for lottery numbers to be announced. That said, I recognize and appreciate the service of those who served.
1980s – Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor
Technology took off as personal computers became more widely accessible, the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty commemorated the beacon for generations of immigrants since 1886, and Sandra Day O’Connor became the 1st female Supreme Court justice.
By the mid-80s, concerned about my lack of computer knowledge, I enrolled in DePaul’s Computer Career Program, a 7-month crash course in programming.
“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” Sandra Day O’Connor
1950s – When the World Was Black and White
The black and white metaphor went beyond TVs. Roles were clearly defined with no room for alternative lifestyles. Mom stayed home, cooked, and cared for the kids. Dad went to work and supported the family.
I remember dial phones, 45rpm records and roller skates with keys.
1960s – The Dream
The 60s were tumultuous but also a time of hope and dreams. Military involvement in Vietnam started and provoked some protest. Martin Luther King promoted non-violent resistance to promote equal rights for Blacks, and activists came together to promote women’s rights.
I remember when John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Robert Kennedy, the people we counted on to lead the way, were shot and killed. And I remember the excitement of the Beatles.