Search

Looks back at American life in the 1950s and especially events that took place during 1953. The war in Korea; Joe McCarthy's anti-Communist antics; America's boom that was simply unprecedented until now; Huge output by American factories that were producing half the goods and services in the world; Increase in the number of televisions; The 1956 Interstate Highway Act; Rosa Parks; More. INSET: One child's simple justice (`Brown v Board of Education')..

Introduces the magazine's special report, "50 Years After Brown." Background on the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case, "Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka," in which the justices ruled that the principle of "separate but equal" schools for white and black children would not stand; Report that the backlash against integration was fierce; Claim that, 50 years later, the change in education and society "Brown" should have brought about is still unfinished.

The changes of the past 40 years, since World War II, from politics and business to social mores, are reflected in this community of 176,000 in California's San Joaquin Valley. Status symbols have changed and social mobility is casually accepted.

The author comments on the impact of the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision "Brown v. Board of Education" on the African American civil rights movement. Claim that "Brown" was not a clear-cut victory, as pockets of tolerance existed before the decision and chasms of intolerance after; Discussion of the argument made by University of Virginia law professor Michael Klarman that "Brown" did not cause the civil rights movement; Listing of the important achievements of the civil rights movements, as well its setbacks; Reflections on the debate over whether judgments like "Brown" can transform social attitudes.

Offers observations on United States society. Arrest of a 12-year-old for eating a french fry on a subway in Washington, D.C.; Promotion of sex between humans and animals by ethicist Peter Singer; Animal rights advocates who want the final meal for death row inmate Timothy McVeigh to be vegetarian; Colleges that are holding separate graduation ceremonies for various ethnic groups and homosexuals; Creation of so-called free-zones, such as noise-free zones in libraries.

Discusses how United States culture recycles infamous people to be famous. Larry Flynt's presence at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner; Flynt's lecture at Georgetown University; Response of columnist Michael Kelly; Why Flynt was invited to Georgetown; Debate about what Georgetown stands for; Flynt's notoriety turned into celebrity; Examples of Marv Albert, Mike Milken, and Amy Fisher.

Editorial. Contends that United States President-elect Bill Clinton is now the spokesman for the baby boomers and has the unique opportunity to give this generation and age a sense of purpose and an articulated moral sensibility. Clinton's campaign; Failed conservatism and liberalism; There is no one better qualified than Clinton to cure America's midlife crisis.