General Discussion

Runningdawg

(4,664 posts)

113. Early 60's around age 4 or 5

Sun Dec 24, 2017, 01:23 AM

Dec 2017

We had friends who were black and I had to learn that I couldn't act around them in public the way I did when we were all together at one another's houses. Looking back I realize now what a risk it was for my parents and them to even be friends in the first place.
A few years later I was playing at some friends house when their mom got the news their dad had been killed in Vietnam.
At pow-wows in the 70's there were some family camps that were off limits. I could hang out with the kids, just not in their camp. My parents were worried the FBI would come looking for AIM. Around the same time all that was going on a guy from my town came back from Vietnam, took his family hostage and eventually let everyone go, except for one kid who was my friend and he saw his dad commit suicide.
It just snowballed from there.

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DUers, At What Age Did You Become Politically Minded and Why? [View all] ProudLib72 Dec 2017 OP

Very very early malaise Dec 2017 #1

So now we know where that anti-royal sentiment came from ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #9

Yes indeed malaise Dec 2017 #36

Same here, around 6-8. My dad was an advocate for anyone downtrodden or wronged by the system. TheBlackAdder Dec 2017 #80

What I find amazing is that my aunt had no influence on most of my siblings malaise Dec 2017 #86

Fuunt, my bro and I grew up together, he is RW and I am Left. Alice11111 Dec 2017 #155

Yep siblings canbe very different - none of mine are RWs but malaise Dec 2017 #164

Not much dif. It probably isn't worth nuanced distinctions. Alice11111 Dec 2017 #191

Your aunt is a wonderful person TEB Dec 2017 #134

She was malaise Dec 2017 #139

Happy holidays TEB Dec 2017 #140

I was interested in politics as a kid crazycatlady Dec 2017 #2

I remember in the fourth or fifth grade I had to do a report on a president ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #42

mid 20s, in grad school, when Reagan was elected. why? Because he was so obviously NRaleighLiberal Dec 2017 #3

Me too. sagesnow Dec 2017 #151

Age 16, Viet Nam War. vsrazdem Dec 2017 #4

Ditto. Around 1964 sinkingfeeling Dec 2017 #106

I definitely remember seeing Nixon resign when I was 10 unblock Dec 2017 #5

14 Vietnam and Watergate Lochloosa Dec 2017 #6

Age 20, 1967, Viet Nam War, senator Eugene McCarthy, California Hekate Dec 2017 #7

Another 50 years, and I'll be saying "tRump/Russiagate", wasn't that a time! ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #16

Before first grade. DURHAM D Dec 2017 #8

I was from an early age but JFK was the main initiator Motley13 Dec 2017 #10

Really young. Codeine Dec 2017 #11

17 HS senior year. Kent State IADEMO2004 Dec 2017 #12

Remeber clearly duforsure Dec 2017 #13

Welcome to the forum! True Dough Dec 2017 #30

Truman duforsure Dec 2017 #135

Truman was a truly "independent" man after leaving the White House. Sophia4 Dec 2017 #187

Fascinating! True Dough Dec 2017 #196

KC, huh? Ligyron Dec 2017 #40

Independence duforsure Dec 2017 #138

That is the coolest thing I've read today! Rhiannon12866 Dec 2017 #116

Thank You duforsure Dec 2017 #137

Wow! What a wonderful experience! Rhiannon12866 Dec 2017 #189

welcome to du gopiscrap Dec 2017 #197

9 years old. neeksgeek Dec 2017 #14

When I was in elementary school greymattermom Dec 2017 #15

I was right along with yall. I watched the same convention in 1956. I was 8 years old at the time.. JimBeard Dec 2017 #81

I must have been 16 or so when I took a personal interest cbreezen Dec 2017 #17

9 years old dlwickham Dec 2017 #18

Anita Bryant made me take a stand Skittles Dec 2017 #19

I don't remember what age I was, but I recall asking my mother why the Orange Juice lady hates the Pachamama Dec 2017 #35

she was so over-the-top horrible Skittles Dec 2017 #63

41. no_hypocrisy Dec 2017 #20

1963. We had social studies in high school. Our text was titled wasupaloopa Dec 2017 #21

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My mom preferred Stevenson as well apcalc Dec 2017 #181

1968. I was 13 and lived on the Mississippi Coast. nolabear Dec 2017 #22

Born that way. Demtexan Dec 2017 #23

i was 5 and remember wanting JFK to win barbtries Dec 2017 #91

Me to. Demtexan Dec 2017 #93

Mid-20s during Reagan's second term tenderfoot Dec 2017 #24

Yeah. Iran/Contra flipped me over to a liberal. roamer65 Dec 2017 #37

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Age 9 ** 1968 Assassination of MLK and MaryMagdaline Dec 2017 #26

I was 15 in 1968. That was the year I became very politcally active louis c Dec 2017 #27

Age 16 the summer of 68 riverwalker Dec 2017 #28

19, Vietnam GeorgeGist Dec 2017 #29

I guess around 1962 Squaredeal Dec 2017 #31

Mid twenties, with JFK northoftheborder Dec 2017 #32

I was about 8 yrs old. Irish_Dem Dec 2017 #33

12? Vietnam was going on. elehhhhna Dec 2017 #34

I am GenX, and I remember the duck and cover drills ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #52

Seeing a speech in 1984 by Walter Mondale where young college republicans were screaming at him and Pachamama Dec 2017 #38

1956 at age 6. The conventions on our new black and white TV hooked me. Patterson Dec 2017 #39

When I was 20 Madam Mossfern Dec 2017 #41

When Reagan was elected. I was 24. LeftInTX Dec 2017 #43

About 20. Reagan. utopian Dec 2017 #44

The event was the launch of Air America Radio dhol82 Dec 2017 #45

My family were very interested in politics since I can remember. I was 13 in 1990 when Operation dewsgirl Dec 2017 #46

Happy Birthday! ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #58

Thank you. dewsgirl Dec 2017 #131

My mother worked in campaigns and elections liberal N proud Dec 2017 #47

I was 14 and stuffed envelopes for Goldwater in 1964. That experience made me a hard-core liberal. VOX Dec 2017 #48

Before I was 10 years old, in the 50s. I clearly remember my Dad explaining Republican fat cats L. Coyote Dec 2017 #49

What was he watching that brainwashed him?! ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #60

Television. It has been a cutlural propaganda tool since inception. L. Coyote Dec 2017 #61

Very young. My parents were always talking politics mvd Dec 2017 #50

I din't get really involved until the Internet hooked me mainstreetonce Dec 2017 #51

17, just started college, the Vietnam war got me going. The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2017 #53

Quite Young ... DoctorJoJo Dec 2017 #54

It probably started with MLK's assignation when I was about 12. Ligyron Dec 2017 #55

I remember being 8 and hoping Carter would beat Reagan TlalocW Dec 2017 #56

Vietnam war mdbl Dec 2017 #57

36 yrs old, 2000 alittlelark Dec 2017 #59

When Reagan beat Carter by telling lies. Blue_true Dec 2017 #62

I always hated politics -- and still do RandomAccess Dec 2017 #64

My parents are die hard Democrats GreenEyedLefty Dec 2017 #65

15. A sophomore in high school. MineralMan Dec 2017 #66

I remember being between 8 and 10. Caliman73 Dec 2017 #67

Yeah Kennedy, Boo Tricky Dicky Nixon. Labor Day 1960 irisblue Dec 2017 #68

i grew up w/ grandparents w/ the 2 city newspapers. aligned myself w/ the liberal one. pansypoo53219 Dec 2017 #69

Remember the Brady Bill? ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #100

1972 presidential election and Watergate. Eugene Dec 2017 #70

Late 60's, Vietnam, Democratic convention in Chicago. Vinca Dec 2017 #71

Very young, elementary school. It was 1972 and I discovered Shirley Chisholm! FM123 Dec 2017 #72

November 1980. lpbk2713 Dec 2017 #73

Birth. democratisphere Dec 2017 #74

My dad always talked politics. That was his thing. He came from a family applegrove Dec 2017 #75

Early teens shenmue Dec 2017 #76

1962 raven mad Dec 2017 #77

Wow, this is a tough one for me. tavernier Dec 2017 #78

That was a very interesting story. Thanks for sharing! ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #105

I was born in 1967 in Lincoln County, West Virginia. Southern West Virginia. Saboburns Dec 2017 #79

The Vietnam war I was about 13 yrs old bdamomma Dec 2017 #82

8, made aware being liberal was weird here. 20, when Bush v Gore, that... moriah Dec 2017 #83

With the 1971 release of Jesus Christ Superstar. LuvLoogie Dec 2017 #84

Adlai Stevenson. I was 12, at the time, and every member demosincebirth Dec 2017 #85

I wised up shortly after voting for Gerald Ford yonder Dec 2017 #87

Age 20. Bobby Kennedy. Sneederbunk Dec 2017 #88

It is not like someone turned a switch and then I was. Yonnie3 Dec 2017 #89

I started contemplating posting this thread a couple days ago ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #108

Thank you for your response. Yonnie3 Dec 2017 #143

I also think political awakening has to do with realizing you have some control ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #148

Nixon Atman Dec 2017 #90

The day Kennedy was shot. PCIntern Dec 2017 #92

I'm 69 yrs old... hwmnbn Dec 2017 #94

I grew up around political discussions The Genealogist Dec 2017 #95

I was 11 during the 1968 conventions. House of Roberts Dec 2017 #96

A really neat website. Click through it. Some footage back to the 1890's JimBeard Dec 2017 #97

Pretty much always. Solly Mack Dec 2017 #99

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After the Cuban Crisis and it was cemented after JFK was killed. Frustratedlady Dec 2017 #102

13, but that was when Historic NY Dec 2017 #103

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17-18. Science fiction. byronius Dec 2017 #107

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OMG! ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #123

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60s, Vietnam, moondust Dec 2017 #112

Early 60's around age 4 or 5 Runningdawg Dec 2017 #113

Late teens. Calvin & Hobbes, Doonesbury, Hunter S Thompson, the Daily Show. meadowlander Dec 2017 #114

8 years old Awsi Dooger Dec 2017 #115

It had to be around Bush II's second term sakabatou Dec 2017 #117

I was 21, just back from Vietnam. Basic LA Dec 2017 #118

Inaugauration day 1981 stopwastingmymoney Dec 2017 #119

I have few people who want to talk politics with me as well ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #120

Age 14, 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago... SeattleVet Dec 2017 #122

well... shanti Dec 2017 #124

In 1992 Jspur Dec 2017 #125

Young. El Salvador Upward Dec 2017 #126

When I was 10. BBbats Dec 2017 #127

I was eleven years old in 1964 Thunderbeast Dec 2017 #128

That is very interesting, stopwastingmymoney Dec 2017 #141

Age 7, watching 1956 conventions unc70 Dec 2017 #129

Me too unc OxQQme Dec 2017 #166

During the Gingrich Revolution Lil Missy Dec 2017 #130

And yet he is suddenly relevant again ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #150

12 - 13 sazemisery Dec 2017 #132

About 5-6 years old Jarqui Dec 2017 #133

Kent State. I was 8 Va Lefty Dec 2017 #136

1972 when I was 14 PJMcK Dec 2017 #142

1972 McGovern Campaign Dennis Donovan Dec 2017 #144

The Kennedy-Nixon election CanonRay Dec 2017 #145

My political mindedness started with the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate. I was twelve. ancianita Dec 2017 #146

I was three when JFK was assassinated. It made a big impact on me. yardwork Dec 2017 #147

13. treestar Dec 2017 #149

36, and it was 9/11 for me as well. pnwest Dec 2017 #152

4th grade, racism. 7th grade, racism. MLK, JFK, RFK, LBJ Alice11111 Dec 2017 #153

3-4, read the news with my Dad. bettyellen Dec 2017 #154

I was 16. . . BigDemVoter Dec 2017 #156

About 15, in 1967 csziggy Dec 2017 #157

It was 1974 & I was a high school senior & CrispyQ Dec 2017 #158

As a teenager during Watergate marlakay Dec 2017 #159

Always interested in news history and politics but I flipped sides in 1992 underpants Dec 2017 #160

interesting ProfessorPlum Dec 2017 #167

About 9 months later when I got out and went home underpants Dec 2017 #170

My mother was a single mother and I must have been around 10 yrs old..... Tikki Dec 2017 #161

I think - 7 JustAnotherGen Dec 2017 #162

You're father had it right back then! ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #165

I was about 7 when I saw Nixon speak on TV Ernesto Dec 2017 #163

This message was self-deleted by its author JustABozoOnThisBus Dec 2017 #168

My turning point was the book "The Clothes Have No Emperor" by Paul Slansky ProfessorPlum Dec 2017 #169

My mother was raised in a Christian Republican home Niagara Dec 2017 #171

My first job was in '88 going door to door ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #174

Yes it was astronomical pay for that time. Niagara Dec 2017 #192

Welcome to DU!! I am so glad that you have moved on from lurking to posting!! (eom) StevieM Dec 2017 #195

Pretty much always. I can't remember a time when I wasn't Raine Dec 2017 #172

Probably 3 or 4 nini Dec 2017 #173

Important work and inspiring. Excellent! n/t Niagara Dec 2017 #194

When I was 9... IluvPitties Dec 2017 #175

Around 7 or 8 years old DemKittyNC Dec 2017 #176

Cool dad! ProudLib72 Dec 2017 #182

) DemKittyNC Dec 2017 #184

About at 14-15 PoorMonger Dec 2017 #177

Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2017 #178

I was 32 hurple Dec 2017 #179

19 in 1969 apcalc Dec 2017 #180

Newt and the Contract "with" ("on") America lapfog_1 Dec 2017 #183

when my dad died because of the Vietnam War gopiscrap Dec 2017 #185

Two events. Sophia4 Dec 2017 #186

9/11 Rhiannon12866 Dec 2017 #188

20--1966--drafted retread Dec 2017 #190

8--JFK's murder did it for me. kairos12 Dec 2017 #193