From draft r
eport of RaHN discussion,
12th February 2014
1950s and 60s Culture comes from a reflection/reaction to prevailing conditions. The youth culture of the 1950s and 1960s was a
product of its time; a product of Post-War Keynesianism. Kids were brought up
to become contented consumers of fashion at a time of guaranteed work and
wages. It was part of the deal that included social spending for the welfare
state etc.
1970s The 1970s had a political edge. It was oppositional,
anti-systemic and expressed an overt anti-establishment view. It was against a
square way of life. It included a desire to get rich a different way to the
expected way. There were underground magazines, such as International Times.
These had an effect on propaganda - a space to be critical.
The Notting Hill Riots It was about how to develop the family. For
whites, the man goes to work the wife is the housewife and the kids are
programmed to grow and become happy consumers of fashion. The Beatniks did
question this but nonetheless this held true. For non-whites, economically they
can't keep up with this. The Notting Hill riots break out and the event throws
up a connection of youth with urban resistance. The Clash cover depicts the
riots. The Clash were formerly the 101ers and squatting in the area. Suddenly
the consumer ideal explodes in your face. There is crisis.
1980s London Greenpeace initiated the Stop the City
anti-capitalist mass protests in the City of London 1983-4 – as well as a range
of existing protest groups, loads of young punks turned up to take part. Punks
at that time were moving fast through music into politics. The 1980s is a time
of reconstruction. It's about how it was managed. Under Thatcher it was
confrontational. It was cultural. It was about a Conservative attitude; a
backlash against the permissive society as well as against bolshie workers.
Squatting/housing Squatting has been an important outlet since the
early 1970s. It is now more difficult after the passing of recent laws against
squatting residential properties. It was suggested that apart from a fair few
mansions owned by the absent super-rich there is not so much empty residential
property to squat these days. There was brief discussion about the value of
housing for ever going through the roof and the difficulty people face getting
somewhere to live. People talk about immigration but what about emigration. In
Dublin people are fast moving out. People are looking to move away because they
can’'t get a place/job here to pay their way. However, the UK and Germany are
still thought of as stronger economies those living in countries such as Greece
and Spain.
No Future The threat of nuclear war, though an ever present threat,
used to weigh heavier in the 1960s and then the 80s when the Cold War was still
in place. Now, the threat of Climate Change is an all-encompassing threat that
is prominent (or repressed) in people'’s minds. This probably weighs heavier on
the youth. CND has not been talked about.
In Conclusion
- In conclusion there is a natural anti-authoritarianism in youth. Energy,
aggression, questioning, nothing to lose (such as a family, mortgage, a
well-paid job).
- There is a need for radical news and views – like there was in punk fanzines
but today in different forms. But it is noted that youth can always be
attracted by dodgy ideas eg nationalism, fascism, religious fundamentalism etc.
- We can'’t always be young. Longevity in activism is important.
- For young people (and all ages) controlling free spaces is important - raves,
reclaim the streets, squatting.
- Social media is a kind of space, to organise, share opinion and campaign.
- Things are less homogenous now for youth.
We didn't cover: Forest Schools/Woodcraft Folk.... Political party youth
movements... Anarchist Youth Group in the 1990s (South London)
