the comeback of the 80s -- not just a fashion thing

being on a college campus today is a lot like being in high school in the mid-1980s. that I'm seeing things like this striped dress (can you say Jane Fonda Workout?) means that this particular fashion trend is on it's way out, given that I live in the Rocky Mountains, which is at least a year behind NYC. this is good. those of us who lived through the 80s the first time don't want to be forced to see bubble skirts and things like this:



as I was driving back from Old Navy last week (where I bought 3 pairs of shorts from the men's department, where pockets, comfort, and thigh coverage still hold value), I flipped the radio to FM, for a change of pace from my usual talk radio. yikes! everything on the FM side sounded like it was 80s-era bubblegum pop. the fashion AND the music? what the hell, people? that crap sucked then and it sucks now. why the re-tread? and that got me thinking. what does 2006 have in common with circa 1985? and then I got scared.

I got scared because the similarities are shockingly. both featured a second-term Republican president hell bent on foreign war (Reagan in Latin America and Bush in the Middle East) while forcing domestic policy run adrift and promoting the vilification of the powerless (Reagan blamed feminists & welfare mothers for social problems and Bush is working on doing the same with poor people of color). in both eras the mainstream media largely ignored/marginalized voices calling for peace & meaningful justice. and in both eras the general public was lulled into an attitude of apathy and ignorance.

I have a new appreciation for the vast right-wing conspiracy. damn, they're good! there is a lot more to say, but I need to get back to the fight. a fight which is not only about social justice, but also the intersection of pop culture & politics.