The invasion of Iraq was titled “Shock and Awe” in relation to the devastation that followed. With tongue in cheek, I propose that was nothing compared to the shock and awe that we baby boomers have endured during the extreme changes in social etiquette, if not morality, during our lifetime.
Remember the song “Shaft” by Isaac Hayes? “That cat Shaft is a mean mother f _ _ _ _ _.” And then the chorus chides, “You better shut your mouth.” The “f” word was not spoken so liberally back in 1971.
I never heard my mother or father use foul language while we were growing up. The worst my father ever said when he was really peeved was “crimenatly sakes.” As a result, we kids never swore until college.
What the fuck [sic] happened? Around 1997, I had switched cars with my son Josh who had left a tape of Dr. Dre’s “greatest” hits in the car cassette player. Uh oh- welcome to the world of uncensored music! If she wasn’t a “bitch”, then she was a “ho”. I didn’t know whether to say “crimenatly sakes” or “what the fuck.”
Then, not long after I was treated to “Stan” by Eminem. I had heard broadcasters mentioning how proud we were of Detroit’s own Eminem, winning Grammys, etc. I now wonder if these people were so naïve that they didn’t even know what that song was about. I was in “shock and awe” when hearing that the pregnant girlfriend was locked in the trunk as the psycho driver plowed into an embankment killing all because Stan, his musical hero, had seemingly ignored him.
The Michigan Catholic, a weekly newspaper would rate the movies so that people would avoid the near occasion of sin by only going to those movies rated “A”. What shock and awe we avoided by allowing this censorship to rule our entertainment back in the 1950s and 1960s. Television would not show Elvis below the waist because of suggestive gyrations. Married couples on television did not share the same bed. Smoking a cigarette after a scene would indicate that copulation took place, certainly no graphics.
So, when those who are much younger than we boomers begin to criticize saying how old-fashioned we are, please try to remember that this explosion of etiquette and morality has taken a toll on us, but we are doing “better”. I can even sing, “That cat Shaft is a bad mother fucker.” Geez, I did it. Are you in shock or in awe? I did not hear anyone chide, “Shut your Mouth.”
COVER PHOTO: Isaas Hayes from a story about the musician on NPR Morning Edition
