Visions of the 1960’s
November 8th, 2007 at 1:06 am (, , )
Yes, that is the name of a class that I am taking. And yes, all of you who lived through the 60’s are now being studied in university history classes. A strange feeling, isn’t it? My mother was definitely a hippie (see the pictures above–my mom at age 16…looks a bit like me, doesn’t she?), and it is so interesting to study the time that I have heard so much about and seen so many pictures of. The 60’s were such a unique time–nothing like it had ever happened before and nothing like it has happened since. The most amazing part of the 60’s to me was the civil rights movement–I cried the entire time I read Why We Can’t Wait, by MLK Jr, and I highly recommend the book. It will inspire you to re-evaluate racism in our current society. I also just finished reading The Electric Cool-Aid Acid Test, about the Merry Pranksters, which is a trippy book and is suuper interesting too. Are you on the bus?
This is the reading list for my class, if any of you are interested.
The Sixties Papers (Stewart & Judith Albert, eds)
Fire in the Streets (Milton Viorst)
Dreams Die Hard (David Harris)
Whv We Can’t Wait (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
One-Dimensional Man (Herbert Marcuse)
The Whole World is Watching (Todd Gitlin)
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (Tom Wolfe)
Personal Politics (Sara Evans)
Meridian (Alice Walker)
We also had to watch The Graduate, a great movie, and I am about to write a paper analyzing The Graduate through the lense of Marcuse’s social theories in One Dimensional Man. Marcuse is hard, I must say. But for everyone, interested in the 60’s or not, I highly recommend the movie “Across the Universe” that is playing right now in theatres–it is about the 60’s, is a wonderful romance, is based around the lyrics of the Beatles songs, and is visually stunning. What could be better?
Peace, Love, and Rock’n Roll
Amy
Rentia Humphries said,
November 13, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Hi Amy,
I enjoyed reading your blog. How interesting that you are studying the hippy time.
For me while I was still living in Holland, this time was a real life changing experience. I became vegetarian then, and we were all very active in “changing the world”. We dressed our dogs up in anti war clothes, we did street theater, occupied even the university buildings to change the school college courses in more social relevant courses, and have more input from the students.
We worked in the inner city communities to improve housing, we even squatted old historic houses, who were meant to be demolished to build shopping malls and parking garages. Last year when Anna and I went back, the houses were beautiful renovated, and still standing.
We are at the ranch today for an filming event, and right now I am waiting here in the office, till Paul and Anna are done with their= tasting macaroni and cheese= part.
Looking forward seeing you at Thanksgiving,
Love,
your Aunt Rentia.
Sarah said,
November 19, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Across the universe was amazing. I’ve seen it twice! I dragged my once hippie mother to see it with me the second time I went and she cried so much because she said it was an accurate portrayl of what she went through (she lost someone in the War and her brother got drafted following that so the movie really ‘hit home’ for her). Sarah
Blue Shoe Mike said,
November 20, 2007 at 4:59 am
Cool Blog you’ve got here Amy. It’s 3a.m. in Texas and I just got done eating some of y’alls pop tarts.
For some reason I thought I’d check out the website too!
Great family business you have. My family and I run a non-profit organization here in Texas called The Blue Shoe Project that teaches kids about Blues Music.
You should check us out sometime.
http://www.BlueShoeProject.org
http://www.BlueShoeTimes.com
http://www.BlueShoeMike.com
http://www.myspace.com/theblueshoeproject
Have a good one and take care!!
Yvette Neshi Lokotz said,
November 20, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Hi Amy,
I know you hear and read this all the time, but I love Amy’s food!! I just read your recent blog article. I grew up in the 60’s. I was a child during that time. I remember my mother deciding not to have our black and white television on during the news so that we wouldn’t see the news from the war front. My eldest brother was in Viet Nam during the late 60’s. My mother also cancelled her subscription to Life Magazine during that time. She was trying to protect us from the pictorial images of the war.
What I remember most as an adolescent during that time was everyone was wearing clothing that had the flag on it like tennis shoes, hats and pants. See it was a way to be against the war without saying much because it was disrespectful to wear the flag on your body.
Yes, the baby boomers were making history for us during that time and hopefully they will do it again for healthcare and for organic products! Peace, Neshi.
Karen said,
November 21, 2007 at 12:34 am
I took two 60’s classes while attending UT. It was a good deviation from my Economics major. I am so glad I did it. There is so much culture packed in a decade, which was influenced by the 50s and spilled into the 70s. I appreciate the music and movies. They seem to be music that will stand the test of time. I wonder if the spice girls, britney, backstreet boys/nsync/98 will one day go down in history.
On another note, I’m jealous your family is involved in such a great operation. I encountered my first Amy’s experience in college and have been living off them on the road. Instead of eating out every night, I make a pit stop to Whole foods and grab a bunch of Amy’s. I tried the other meals, but they never satisified me or left me feeling sqeaky clean.
I bet your parents are proud of you. Boy am I glad they raised you on great food!!!
John Micklo said,
November 21, 2007 at 3:13 am
Hi Amy,
Say, just read your blog and have to admit I grew up in the 60’s. Attended engineering school in Milwaukee, WI during those turbulent years, with the hippie movement, etc. Much of my personal experience was related to the styles and rock music of that period. Our school was not as involved in the heavy protesting of the time, but a number of students did follow it.
I see you do find that period quite interesting. I agree as it had many diverse gatherings and movements. The entire decade also saw a wide evolution in music, as well as attitudes. I often listen to that music, since it spanned from doo-wop, pure rock & roll thru folk-rock and then acid/hard rock. And we lost too many great national figures, plus had our consciences battered from the Vietnam involvement. It was a very trying time to live through, but now the present has also become difficult.
Sure hope you succeed in your future endeavors. And, please extend my appreciation to your parents for having the BEST prepared foods available on the market. My wife and I love all the Amy’s selections.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
John, in MN.
Jackie Bledsoe said,
November 22, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Love the products and I had a quick question: Did anyone in the Berliner family go to Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, NY? It would have been between 1956 and 1961…………………I graduated from there, have attended several fantastic reunions since, and I and remember the name of a student named Berliner ( cannot remember the first name) that graduated 1-3 years before me…I am not quite sure…….. Have a wonderful Holiday and keep these extraordinary products coming………………….JB
Allison A said,
January 18, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Hi Amy,
Allison A said,
January 18, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Hi Amy,
My name is Allison and I am 9 years old. I’ ve been eating Amy’s Veggieloaf since I was one!! I have just gotten adicted on The Veggie Pot Pie and the Cheddar Cheese Breakfeast Burito. I am also a vegitarian. Some people at school tell me if I don’t eat some kind of meat in ten years, I’ll then die!! Isn’t that horrible? Did any body ever bother you in school about being a vegitarian? Well, hope you are having fun and doing good in college! I am in third grade and I LOVE school!
Allison A said,
January 18, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Hi Amy,
My name is Allison and I am 9 years old. I’ ve been eating Amy’s Veggieloaf since I was one!! I have just gotten adicted on The Veggie Pot Pie and the Cheddar Cheese Breakfeast Burito. I am also a vegitarian. Some people at school tell me if I don’t eat some kind of meat in ten years, I’ll then die!! Isn’t that horrible? Did any body ever bother you in school about being a vegitarian? Well, hope you are having fun and doing good in college! I am in third grade and I LOVE school!
Matt Simpson said,
January 23, 2008 at 9:28 am
Amy et al,
I applaud your company for your approach to agriculture and the care you provide directly to your growers. For me, it is reassuring to know there are many of us working towards improving our ‘Neutral’ position.
I would be very interested to speak to your ‘organic agriculture’ expert.
All my best, good luck at school, and my wishes to your company employees and success.
Matt S
russ said,
January 29, 2008 at 2:29 pm
If you study the 60s you need to see my collection of Detroit rock and roll !!! No history class could teach you what I have or been through (.As Steve Marriot would have said. (He started that one, see you already are learning something) ROCK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hermano en Alma said,
February 10, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Dear Sweet Souls,
What a kick—- website, Good job to the whole presentation and depth of care that you put into this business.
Thanks for the blog section too. It brings a personal side to the story that you won’t find anywhere else.
Amy you haven’t written in a while, but I know you are busy with school, family, and learning the language and culture of our Southern Neighbors in Mexico. I look forward to seeing a post with reflections from your experiences this last quarter. Maybe a new recipe will come out of your adventure.
Thank you for the love and care that all of you at Amy’s bring to the world. It strongly points towards a Love that exists beyond these forms.
All-Love,
Un Hermano
Laura said,
February 23, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Hey there Amy!
Wonder if Pitt has any History of 60’s classes??
Dude… you’re quite the gal. Let mejust say that reading about you’re horrific (yet completely necessary) first finals week and Standford made me feel much, much better about my first at U of Pitt!! It made me feel so awesome about eating Amy’s foods, knowing that the inspirer and fellow Amy’s eater was in my shoes just the same. You are a gifted chick, and you seem like you’re doing great things with all of your abilities. So I just wanted to say thank you, rock on, and good luck!!
-Laura
P.S. Across the Universe was absolutely amazing. I’d live that lifestyle in a heartbeat!!
Laura said,
February 23, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Hey there Amy!
Wonder if Pitt has any History of 60’s classes??
Dude… you’re quite the gal. Let mejust say that reading about you’re horrific (yet completely necessary) first finals week and Standford made me feel much, much better about my first at U of Pitt!! It made me feel so awesome about eating Amy’s foods, knowing that the inspirer and fellow Amy’s eater was in my shoes just the same. You are a gifted chick, and you seem like you’re doing great things with all of your abilities. So I just wanted to say thank you, rock on, and good luck!!
-Laura
P.S. Across the Universe was absolutely amazing. I’d live that lifestyle in a heartbeat!!
George Pitt said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hi Amy,
My wife and I are HUGE (so to speak; not literally!) fans of your foods, and always pick up your pizzas when shopping here in the Cleveland area. Your foods are always well formulated, extremely tasty, and easy to prepare. We also like the fact that the ingredients are wholesome, with NO artificial sugars or sweetners. More food companies should be like yours. Keep up the great work!
Corey said,
April 24, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Hey Amy,
60’s music, the Hippy Revolution and what your doing with Organic Food go hand in hand. Keep pumpin them veggies & good food out to the masses and one day they’ll understand the message your family has been pushing for years.
Organic Food and Organic Music, mmmmmm Goodness
Susanne said,
December 16, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Hey Amy!
I’ve been eating Amy’s Kitchen foods for awhile, but i never realized that the company’s namesake was you!
I’m around your age and recently became a vegetarian (I’ve always been active in eco issues and peace). Across the Universe is my favorite movie ever, by the way.
I think it’s so cool that you’re a real person!
Give me a message if you feel like it