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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright December 2023
In the groovy tapestry of my college days in the 1960s, New York was the canvas where the vibrant hues of change and rebellion painted the landscape.
Touching down at LAX, the air was filled with the melody of Scott McKenzie's; "If you're going to San Francisco... be sure to wear some flowers in your hair!" And so, with blossoms adorning my crown, a self-made tie-dye T-shirt, and a peace symbol draped around my neck, I joined the chorus against the Vietnam War and the looming specter of the industrial military complex.
The spirit of the times echoed in our collective cry during demonstrations: "We want the world, and we want it now!"
The shadows of the Vietnam War cast a sombre note, with classmates drafted and returning in body bags, a stark reminder of the high stakes of our activism.
Yet, amidst the protests and serious undertones, the '60s were also an era of experimentation, where college kids embraced the liberty of free love and the allure of marijuana smoke lingering in the air
As a foreign student, caution prevailed, dissuading me from participating in Washington demonstrations under the threat of deportation or arrest.
The whispers of campus "orgies" were heard, though invitations eluded me for similar reasons.
Despite missing out on those escapades, the memories that endure are woven with the threads of iconic music. The pulsating beats of Chicago, the soulful melodies of Earth, Wind and Fire, the poetic verses of Bob Dylan, the psychedelic tunes of Grateful Dead, and the harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel echoed through the free concerts that paved the way to Woodstock.
Woodstock, a stone's throw from our campus, became a pilgrimage site for music enthusiasts. I stood witness to live performances that left an indelible mark on the world of music.
The rhythm of campus life, colored by activism, experimentation, and the euphoria of live concerts, remains etched in my mind.
A treasure trove of experiences that, given the chance, I would gladly relive at the drop of a hat. My happy hippie college days—a groovy journey through a transformative era.
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