Home » History » The Decade of Death: Hardly a Time of Flower Power

The Decade of Death: Hardly a Time of Flower Power

by Lauren Axelrod in History, June 16, 2009

There is a darkness in humanity masked under the cloaks of fine living and personified ideals, and through history those ideals were characterized as the fabric of life.

Murder has evolved over time bringing out the beast in those that see darkness. There is a certain passion that resides in these tainted individuals that seek to destroy, or rather covet what is far from their reaches, yet not unattainable.

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During the 60’s, JFK was the voice of reason, a shining beacon of hope of what we could accomplish. However, the dark stained scum of humanity once again ended all hope, taking an innocent life on November 22, 1963. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was “shot once in the back, once in the neck and was killed with a final shot to the head by Lee Harvey Oswald, an employee of the schoolbook depository from which the shots were suspected to have been fired”.

Andrew Goodman

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Michael Schwerner

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During this time, the news was reporting hundreds dead in Vietnam. Black civil rights activists confronted the racist South, and they were met with a grueling death and beatings. In fact, in 1964 activists during the “freedom summer” , Michael Schwerner, James Cheney, and Andrew Goodman were murdered by white supremacists.

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May 4, 1970 four unarmed Kent State University students were murdered  by members of the Ohio National Guard . “The Guardsmen shot into the crowd 67 times for 13 seconds, wounding nine others, one of whom suffered permanent paralysis.”

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Martin Luther King Memorial

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In the late 60’s, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated point blank for defending integration and equality for all Americans. This just reminds us that the humanity of man have never changed, using brutal strength to end a life that is unwarranted and completely unjust.

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To make matters worse during the 60’s, Charles Manson, the dead head ,ex-con, demon murderer believed that there was to be an apocalyptic race war  that he named ‘Helter Skelter”. During the time of Manson, the media was walking all over law enforcement glorifying the murder scenes. It shouldn’t have been a surprise to many considering he was born to a sixteen year old alcoholic that sold him to another women for a pitcher of beer.

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At the end of the decade, a new breed of killer was on the loose. The Zodiac killer was never found, and the lack of evidence is of no help to investigators. All that has been preserved are three coded letters providing cryptic clues into the past of a man that was seeking God-like power. At least that is what the media portrayed, and that is what he wanted. He was quoted as saying “I will be reborn in paradise. Those I have killed will become my slaves”. The last conformed death was on October 11, 1969.

Interestingly enough, one victim survived describing his chilling appearance. He wore a square hooded suit with the zodiac symbol in the middle of his chest. It was unique and positively Medieval.

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The decade of the 60’s was reaped in horror and blood. Many new agers believed this was supposed to be a time for peace, and it should have been. But for many, it was a decade of death.

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  1. Patrick Bernauw

    On June 16, 2009 at 5:20 am


    Great article!

  2. Joe Dorish

    On June 16, 2009 at 6:24 am


    Great contrast point Lauren. That was a crazy decade for this country and I’m glad I was not really around for it.

  3. Unofre Pili

    On June 16, 2009 at 7:40 am


    A very thought – provoking article Lauren. It makes me sad.

  4. Kairos

    On June 16, 2009 at 9:05 am


    Media frenzy most of the time do more harm than good.

  5. Rynn Michaelz

    On June 16, 2009 at 9:08 am


    Even though I am only 25 I tend to get nostalgic for the sixties (is it possible to be nostalgic for a time in which I did not live?) and romanticise many of the idealogies of the counter culture of the time. In reality there were many heinous crimes, committed not just towards the common man but towards (and by) people in high power. Cool article Lauren.

  6. goodselfme

    On June 16, 2009 at 12:12 pm


    lots to absorb in this well written piece. TX

  7. Juancav

    On June 16, 2009 at 2:31 pm


    Embarrassing facts in 60´s.Thank you for share it.

  8. Lostash

    On June 16, 2009 at 3:27 pm


    We certainly tend to view the 60’s through rose tinted spectacles! This article just reminds us all that this was far from the case!

  9. Melody Arcamo Lagrimas

    On June 16, 2009 at 7:40 pm


    Horrible. Thanks for this very interesting read, Lauren.

  10. oktavv

    On June 19, 2009 at 9:09 pm


    nice..thank you for share it.

  11. CutestPrincess

    On June 22, 2009 at 9:34 am


    Very nicely done, again. Keep up the excellent writing!

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