You say you wished you lived in the 50's but would the 50's accept you?

[Chris Gomez]

I hear folks all the time saying they wished they lived in the 50's or earlier, but I wonder, would the 50's society accept you?

 

My theory is NO. I think if somehow by a time travel device, you were swept away to the 50's, you would not be welcome in society, especially if you had tons of tattoos. They would probably think you were a circus performer or spent alot of time in prison (thus looked down upon and not treated fairly). Or, with the Civil Rights movement after the 50s, women wouldn't have the same luxuries of being able to speak their mind, or have the same job opportunities, and would not have the same amount of respect (ie. taken seriously in high pressure positions, like CEOs, holding public office, etc.) that they do today. 

 

Overall, I think if you were a white male, you'd probably enjoy yourself and fit in overall (with the exception if you're totally tatted up), but if you're a minority or woman, I think you'd hate it because of society's expectations and views at the time.

 

I could be wrong, they might think you're the coolest ever, but I don't think so. Would love to hear other people's thoughts.

 

-Chris Gomez-

[MissRoniG]

I love the style of the 50's but I don't think I would want to live then. I was a teenage parent, I'm hispanic, not to mention I have a bit of a mouth on me. And while I might have been able to join the military, the jobs open to females where limited. I don't like being told I can't do something.

[LocPinUp]

I will say that from listening to my grandparents talk regarding the civil rights movement, there was a sense of togetherness, pride and sense of self that I don't see in my race now that I would like to see.  So I think that is one good side of it.  Chris, I agree that I would have loved to been involved in Civil Rights and just see the transformation first hand, I thank them every day for this.  This is so ironic that this discussion has been posted about the 50's as I was told that because I'm Black, I was stupid for loving the 40's, 50's or Rockabilly for that matter.  Uh...last time I checked, this was 2011....I wish people would just STOP IT!

Chris Gomez said:

Unfortunately, our society back then was soo racist :( Still kind of is, but nowhere near as bad as it was back then. It would have sucked to have soo much talent, class, and style, and not have been able to flaunt it. I agree though that it would have been thrilling to have been a Civil Rights pioneer and help change the world :) I'm just happy that in this era, we are able to make more decisions for ourselves and in a sense, "be who we want to be". Much thanks to those Civil Rights pioneers!

Michelle Blakxena Cook said:

I definitely love the "look" of the 50's, but I know the "Era" would not be for me.  Being a woman AND Black, I would end up being someone's maid/nanny, which was probably the only thing we could do back then, that is NOT ME at all (Plus with the mouth I have on me, I would have gotten myself in LOTS of trouble).  Being involved in the Civil Rights Movement would have been interesting to see first hand, I must admit.

[Dayna Baby Lou]

This is a very interesting thread! and I'll have to say I pretty much agree with all the comments. I definitely love the look of the 50's, the cars and the old hollywood glamour...but not the lack of freedom. We are very fortunate of what we are able to have in today's world. Whenever I want to travel back in time - I just listen to all my grandmothers stories. Some are really neat! and others not so much. Overall I'll have to say I am very happy to be living in this time and still be able to re-create that retro look :)

[NolaChick™ {Madam}]

I disagree.  I think I'd fit right in.  I don't have any tattoos. One of my grandmothers was widowed in the 50's and worked for a corporation to support my mother.  My other grandmother also worked, advanced to a high position in the company she worked for and retired with men she worked with singing her praises.  Both were treated fairly and weren't discriminated against because of their gender. Neither were June Cleever.  I'd like to believe that if they did it, I could do it too.

[Lainey Belle{★}]

EXCELLENT thread, Chris! Other than having tats I would live without, I would be accepted into the 50s....but I'd love to be famous in the 50s. That way I could do crazy things and it would be okay ;)

However, my husband is full blooded Hispanic and I'm not sure how that would go over back then....This actually makes me wonder if Lucille and Desi had a positive racial impact on people? Hmmmmm

[Chris Gomez]

Ahhhh Grandparent's stories! Being able to hear from someone who was there and lived through it has to be one of the best ways to get a real feel for the social climate. Our story begins "Back when I was your age....." 

:)

Dayna Baby Lou said:

This is a very interesting thread! and I'll have to say I pretty much agree with all the comments. I definitely love the look of the 50's, the cars and the old hollywood glamour...but not the lack of freedom. We are very fortunate of what we are able to have in today's world. Whenever I want to travel back in time - I just listen to all my grandmothers stories. Some are really neat! and others not so much. Overall I'll have to say I am very happy to be living in this time and still be able to re-create that retro look :)

[Chris Gomez]

That's great to hear of a story like this :) I wonder what kind of company it was and where in the US it was based out of...if any of us get to time travel to the past this sounds like a swell place for equal opportunity.

NolaChick™ {Madam} said:

I disagree.  I think I'd fit right in.  I don't have any tattoos. One of my grandmothers was widowed in the 50's and worked for a corporation to support my mother.  My other grandmother also worked, advanced to a high position in the company she worked for and retired with men she worked with singing her praises.  Both were treated fairly and weren't discriminated against because of their gender. Neither were June Cleever.  I'd like to believe that if they did it, I could do it too.

[Chris Gomez]

Agreed, we're fortunate here and now. To be able to look back with romanticized eyes is another one of our luxuries. Besides the styles and design of the era, I hope we can at least gain back a sense of national unity and pride, like how we had after WWII one day :)

Sweet Clover said:

The past is always romanticized....but my feeling is right now is my time, and I'm glad to be here. I can dress in vinatge clothes, and still enjoy the rights I have as a woman of today! :)

[Chris Gomez]

You probably can't get too crazy, they still had the tabloids and paparazzi, you saying you wanna be the Lindsey Lohan of the 50s? Lol And the government killed Marilyn for messing around with JFK ;)

 

Desi being hispanic was such an interesting thing to do for a TV show of that time! Specifically him being Cuban was even more interesting regarding the politics our country has had with Cuba. Desi was kind-of Hispanic's only voice and face (an ambassador) in mainstream media of the time, come to think of it. At least he wasn't a gardener, cook, or deadbeat on the streets. He had a job ;) 

Lainey Belle{★} said:

EXCELLENT thread, Chris! Other than having tats I would live without, I would be accepted into the 50s....but I'd love to be famous in the 50s. That way I could do crazy things and it would be okay ;)

However, my husband is full blooded Hispanic and I'm not sure how that would go over back then....This actually makes me wonder if Lucille and Desi had a positive racial impact on people? Hmmmmm

[Chris Gomez]

Yeah, I think we Mexicanos probably got the shaft up here in the US during those times, unless we came from wealthy families or something. My Grandparents came over here to the US back in the day from Mexico with a workers visa and eventually got their citizenship, moved to East LA. I feel extremely fortunate to live in this day and age and appreciate everything they went through. Unfortunately my spanish is muy mal~ 

Roni_G said:

I love the style of the 50's but I don't think I would want to live then. I was a teenage parent, I'm hispanic, not to mention I have a bit of a mouth on me. And while I might have been able to join the military, the jobs open to females where limited. I don't like being told I can't do something.

[Lainey Belle{★}]

No no! Not Lindsey Lohan crazy! lol. But more like not be stuck inside the house all the time and it be okay to attend lots of parties  :)

And you're right! That IS an excellent thing. Not only did he have a job, but a good job where he was the boss too! I think it would be FABULOUS to vacation in the 1950s, but since I've been raised in the day and age I have been, it may not fully agree with me (though this day and age doesn't much either) haha. If I was born in the 1950s I'm sure I would have dealt with it.But if we're talking time travel, maybe just for a vaca  :)

Chris Gomez said:

You probably can't get too crazy, they still had the tabloids and paparazzi, you saying you wanna be the Lindsey Lohan of the 50s? Lol And the government killed Marilyn for messing around with JFK ;)

 

Desi being hispanic was such an interesting thing to do for a TV show of that time! Specifically him being Cuban was even more interesting regarding the politics our country has had with Cuba. Desi was kind-of Hispanic's only voice and face (an ambassador) in mainstream media of the time, come to think of it. At least he wasn't a gardener, cook, or deadbeat on the streets. He had a job ;) 

Lainey Belle{★} said:

EXCELLENT thread, Chris! Other than having tats I would live without, I would be accepted into the 50s....but I'd love to be famous in the 50s. That way I could do crazy things and it would be okay ;)

However, my husband is full blooded Hispanic and I'm not sure how that would go over back then....This actually makes me wonder if Lucille and Desi had a positive racial impact on people? Hmmmmm

[UrbanfrugalChick]

NOPE!