marcommman

Editor’s note: In June 1970 – 50 years ago today – Edith, my mother, was 39 years old and her children ranged in age from 15 to 6 years old. My parents moved to the US in the late 1950’s, eventually settling in the New York area. For many years my mother drafted long letters home to our relatives in Switzerland attempting to explain her life in the New World. Of the dozens of letters written only a handful survive, so I took the time to translate this one from the original German. It was written one month after the Kent State shootings and two years before the withdrawal of the majority of US troops from Vietnam.  

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My Dears, (June 6, 1970)

Since I’ve been going to Columbia University the story of my life is being written by world events, so to speak. After I had been endangering my health, if not my life, going to the university campus for weeks – past and through rioting youth, smashed doors, and stink bomb-polluted lecture halls – suddenly my semester came to an abrupt end. Of course, you know that Nixon’s decision to invade Cambodia [secret bombings – no longer so secret] has caused a great storm of indignation in our country. Such international events have a direct impact on my everyday home life. So, you only have to read the newspaper to know what’s happening here [at home] on Turner Road. Even our little family (probably like thousands of others) reflects the polarization of political thought, which in certain groups are whipped up into such a passionate hysteria that they no longer have anything to do with rational thinking. This indeed has become quite dangerous for the entire country.

Klaus and I, two very apolitical people, agree on all things in general, thank goodness. In other words, while we see reason and irrationality in the efforts of both sides, we rather sympathize with liberal ideology. However, for the first time, I almost got into serious loggerheads with my daughter Maya – about politics, of all things. Me, who distances herself from these things when I can and really only cares about the historical aspect of it all! But that’s where the trouble lies: with us there is not only the generational but also the culture gap. Our children are Americans, children of the second half of the 20th century, straight out of Aldous Huxley’s, “Brave New World.” And I grew up not only in a patriarchal country but also in such a family, where the men believe in what’s “women’s work” and what isn’t. And let’s be frank – some female inferiority, at least in the political field. I believe that this same conviction is anchored in me; I will never be able to shake off these beliefs, as much as my intellect proves to me otherwise. Well, thousands of women have the same past as I, and yet have managed to assert themselves against all prejudices and face their husbands. But I am what I am and still so saturated in the conviction that women can’t know anything about politics, certainly not a snotnosed 15-year-old girl! (A brilliant example of someone who has risen above this is my sister-in-law Elsi, once a fellow [inferior female] and now a school nurse. Who knows what the future holds for her!)

I had to make Maya understand my worldview when she came home so indignant about Nixon, freshly indoctrinated from her school. We got into such a heated discussion that I suddenly found myself defending Nixon in the most zealous way when I can’t stand him myself! But I was trying to explain to her that she is still far too young to show such righteous and indignant behavior in things that are far too serious for her. I completely forgot that being dogmatic and so cocksure of oneself is the privilege of youth. But in fact, by engaging in a discussion at all I had acknowledged her as an equal opponent in the debate (a worthy interlocutor.) So, clearly, I am already being infected by the new Zeitgeist: Youth Power! So, I, a respectable prospective forty-year-old, was at a loss for words when presented with arguments like: “I know as much as you do! I also listen to the news, and I read newspapers. Why shouldn’t I be able to form opinions!” Firmly backed up against the wall, I could only say squirming: “Don’t forget that I am 30 years older than you (to which I, of course, was immediately corrected: “Only 24!”) Since I am older, for that at least, she owes me some respect. And I could not help to add, “One day you will tell your daughter the same thing.” Afterward, the whole scene was funny to me, because of course, it is so familiar, almost a cliché.

All of this is to say that America today is “a house divided” and political discussions are best to be avoided. Especially with the fanatical American super-patriots, who never cease to amaze me. They call the American flag “Old Glory”, and woe unto anyone who does not pay due homage to it. They shout, “My country right or wrong!” In their view, anyone who criticizes Nixon is an unpatriotic filthy good-for-nothing and should leave the country. Bumper stickers warn “Your Country: Love It or Leave It!” Such thickheads cannot be taught that there are people who, precisely out of a true love for their country cannot tolerate the immoral things that are going on. On the other side of the “Love It or Leave It” crowd are those who declare Nixon as a second Hitler, which is an outlandish exaggeration [pure hyperbole] to anyone who can still so clearly hear Hitler’s voice in their ears and feel his evil deeds deep in their bones. In the middle of the raging arguments, stand I. And it scares the living daylights out of me. Where narrow-mindedness becomes fanatical, in a country that clearly shows a tendency to commit acts of violence, the prospects for the future are scary.

We live in the middle of a fortress of primitive conservatives [Füdlibuergern.] As such, we do not engage in political discussions with neighbors if we can avoid it. Nevertheless, Klaus once volleyed a few deadly shots himself (with words, not with a rifle!) It was a balmy summer evening, and I was already heading to bed to read. Klaus was talking with a few neighbors who remained from a garden party, having drinks on the balcony. The long day, the hot sun, and the alcohol were beginning to take their toll. I heard a lonely voice of reason daring to posit that the American flag was, after all, nothing but a piece of cloth – not something one should worship like a cultish talisman. In response, I heard a loud and angry, perhaps even tearful, passionate defense of Old Glory, “Our flag is a shining beacon of freedom to the entire world! It would be an honor to die for it!” [Editor’s note – in 1970 over six thousand US soldiers, mostly young men 18 and 19 years old, were killed in the Vietnam War.] Then with even more conviction the passionate patriot shouted, “Am I right, or am I right?” To my surprise, Klaus’s angry voice came to my ear: “No, you are wrong, you are WRONG!” This outburst was greeted by dead silence. The drunken gathering was momentarily stunned. Perhaps they thought that the voice of God had called them to task. One could only hope. (It is well understood that if one were to, for example, spit on the flag a true American should protect it with his life from such a disrespectful soiling. Of course, if there were no such people to get so mortally offended it would not occur to anyone to do anything to the flag at all! I’m at a total loss to understand this useless posturing.)

On the other hand, I did not like the young revolutionaries with whom I came into contact at school, especially those of the younger generation, who can be dangerous simply in terms of numbers. As you may have heard, the university was closed prematurely, not officially, but because the students boycotted the lectures. I was lucky with my grades. I was not worried about being credited with the course, conscientious as I am, the teachers were well aware of the hard work I had put in. But there was the issue of the final grade – since all of the final exams were canceled. In the US system, there are exams in the middle (midterms) and at the end of the semester (finals.) Since I had performed well on my midterms, I was lucky that these grades were recognized as the final grade. In other words, I did not have to pass any final exams! If this had not been the case, I would have either had to repeat the courses or arrange something with the teachers privately to take an exam. In addition to not having to cram for the final exams, I also ended up having a bit longer vacation (on June 15 my summer course begins.)

But I am disappointed because I went to university to learn something, and the young revolutionaries are to blame for the fact that I have been cheated out of some of that time. Towards this end, I tried to go to school again before it became clear (and official) that the semester was really, truly over. But the strikers did not want to let me through and engaged me in a long conversation. I am of course very easily impressionable, and almost succumbed to the charms of these extremely intelligent young people. I can’t help but admit that in certain areas they are indeed better oriented than I – and I often could not counter their arguments. They soon noticed this and wanted to recruit me to their side. People like me, they said, would give respect to their movement. They are not interested in acts of violence, they told me. The evil police are to blame for these incidents, the students explained. Although the offer to join their ranks flattered me, I quickly recovered. While their confidence swayed me, I could see that they had naiveté as to how the world works. I began to doubt that they were really so well-oriented in matters that I feel I do not understand. In their revolutionary zeal, they throw all points of contention into the same pot, which seems to me not only to be outrageous but above all highly dangerous; after all, their goal is the total destruction of the existing system. They are against the Vietnam War, sexual discrimination, racial discrimination, and a thousand other things for which they hold Columbia University directly responsible. For example, they demand that Columbia raise money to free the Black Panthers arrested for murder and other awful things! In this context, I had to make my point of view clear to them, so they would realize that I might not belong in their ranks after all. I explained that the centuries of oppression in this country and the humiliation that the negros still have to experience today elicit a passionate hatred of the whites. This is in the end only human. For purely selfish reasons, therefore, the whites should do everything in their power to remedy the injustice. Even if it will never be possible to make amends, the attempt should at least be made to fix it – if not for today then for the future.

I went on to say that on the other hand, it is a big mistake to help criminals like the Black Panthers in their longing to avenge unless one is interested in endangering the whites. The young dreamers were horrified by my hints that the Black Panthers carry the destruction of the whites in their hearts, and they exchanged meaningful glances over my erroneous views. I warned them: if these people (the Black Panthers) actually get their hands on power for which you so idealistically fight, then you will be the first to understand that I am right. No one will ask you if you fought for the blacks, or if you immigrated just yesterday and have nothing to do with slavery. [Like Edith! ;-)] Only one thing will count for them in their hatred: namely, that you are white. The protesters found this extremely cynical of me and absolutely did not want to accept it. They are convinced of the total innocence of the Black Panthers, consider all the accusations against them to be lies, and believe that the Black Panthers are free of bitter feelings towards the whites: “All they want is to have their rights!”

To make the situation even more precarious, the right-wing element, the counterpart to the radical left do‑gooders, are just as irrational. Mainstream conservatives (which does not include the hopeless Southern racists) say that they are perfectly in favor of the Negroes having their rights – they only disagree with the ways and means of achieving those rights. Namely, that the process should proceed slowly and properly within the legal system. (In other words, the Negroes will have to be patient for a few centuries more!) I believe that most white conservatives believe, deep in their hearts, in their racial superiority – even if they feign otherwise by paying lip service to the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I know this because every now and then someone will drop a word that betrays him. I have observed this so many times that there must be a measure of truth behind my assumption. Even more than Nixon’s decision to enter Cambodia (there are some valid reasons for doing so), I condemn his tendency to collect and deliberately pander to his right-wing extremist followers. This is something we can simply not afford in our current political climate. The Negroes will take their rights – and once they get going, probably more than that – by force, if changes are too slow in coming. For all these reasons, there is a great deal of discord in this country. As a result, I fear the “silent majority” (that Nixon imagines to be solidly in his corner), is being forced from a sensible middle ground to pick an extreme – veering far to the left or right.

In the meantime, however, my everyday life continues along comfortably. I have criminally neglected my household. For years now the boxes [from our last move] have needed going through, but I would have to take a year off to do so. That’s why I haven’t even begun. But I haven’t been completely idle. For example, I spent days in clothing stores in an attempt to buy a summer wardrobe for my difficult daughters. I don’t want to talk your ears off about that now. Suffice it to say that they drive me up the walls with their funny ideas. In matters of taste, all three of us are equally stubborn, and a compromise is sometimes difficult to reach.

Attire arranged, I then had to prepare the family for the coming summer, securing a place for each child. Thomas and Tina will go three days per week for a month of Day Camp [Rockland Foundation, later renamed RoCA.] Maya will work there as a junior counselor. Karin goes to a five-week theater program that produces their own in-house productions followed by theater visits in New York City. In making these clever arrangements I have imposed a terrible transport problem on myself. I don’t know how to combine and master this with my own studies at all. In any case, the children will get the variety they need. They really do work hard during the school year. It is unbelievable what is required of them: school, homework assignments, and playing the piano (recently also Tina!) leaves them no room for nonsense at all. In addition, they have their smaller kitchen duties. Sometimes I almost feel a little guilty about it. In our time, mothers undoubtedly worked more than their children, so it was a matter of course to enlist the young ones to help. Today the situation is almost reversed, which is why I graciously pick up a towel or a washcloth now and then – but not without painful and reproachful looks to emphasize the great imposition. That usually works as I am almost always met with a heartfelt, “Oh, thank you, Mommy!” I have found that a good trick:  the family must know that every assistance from their mother is to be regarded as a great favor. In this way, a well-cooked meal and cleanly scrubbed kitchen are recognized with words of thanks. Other mothers would probably struggle with less gnashing of their teeth [weniger Zähneknirschen abrackern] if they were thanked so effusively!

Now, however, I am truly running out of steam. Do I still have your attention after this flood of words? I just want to add that Maya just returned from a French exam in New York City with laurels (and $50!) Her French teacher registered her for a national competition given by the French Institute. Last week she won the 2nd prize nationally and 1st place for the Eastern States. Today was the oral elimination and she made it to the top 6 best students. Zut alors, she could have won a trip to France! Alas, that was not to be, but we are still quite proud of her! [Editors note: adjusted for inflation, $50 in 1970 is approximately $400 in 2024 dollars.]

I hope that you all have a nice, peaceful summer. And I wish ourselves decent weather for a change. It has rained almost continuously for weeks, and when not, we have enjoyed only deep gray, depressing clouds in the sky.

Love and kisses, Edith

Addendum

Edith’s studies: Edith completed her B.A. with Honors in English literature from Columbia University, New York in 1975. She went on to earn an M.A. (in 1983) and a Ph.D. (in 1992) in German Literature from Rutgers University, New Jersey. For more information on Edith, see her obituary.

Women’s suffrage in Switzerland: Women in Switzerland gained the right to vote in federal elections after a referendum [voted on by men, logically] in February 1971. It bears keeping in mind that this is the place that Edith had come from some 10+ years earlier.

But Things Weren’t Much Better in the US: Married women couldn’t legally open a bank account or attain a credit card without their husband’s signature until 1974 when The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) required banks to provide access to credit for all women.

The Vietnam Conflict: U.S. involvement in Vietnam began in 1955 and ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975. US soldiers’ deaths peaked in 1968 at 16,899, in 1970 there were 6,173 US deaths. Over the entire length of the conflict a total 58,220 US soldiers died. A 1975 US Senate subcommittee estimated there were 1.4 million civilian casualties in South Vietnam because of the war. It was considered a Cold War-era proxy war with direct U.S. involvement starting in the late 1950’s with “military advisors” and ending in the withdrawal from Saigon in 1973. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. North Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Union, China, and other communist allies; South Vietnam was supported by the United States, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, and other anti-communist allies. The Vietnam War included the Laotian Civil War and the Cambodian Civil War, which ended with all three countries becoming communist states in 1975.

Kent State: On April 30, 1970, President Nixon announced the expansion of the Vietnam War into Cambodia. On May 1, protests on some 900 college campuses and in cities throughout the U.S. began. The strike increased significantly after the shooting of students at Kent State University by National Guardsmen on May 4. While many violent incidents occurred during the protests, they were, for the most part, peaceful. Due to a resurgence of anti-war protests on campuses (last major protests were in 1968), final exams were curtailed at Columbia and many universities throughout the US.

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Sample from the 1970 Letter: This is a scan of page 3 of 5, darkened to increase readability.

Some Additional Historical Context:

• January 20, 1969 – Richard Nixon is sworn in as the 37th US President. Nixon swept into office on a landslide, with a promise to end the Vietnam War. (He won a second term in 1972, again in a landslide.)
• July 20, 1969 – American astronaut Neil Armstrong is the 1st human to walk on the Moon.
• April 30, 1970 – American forces invade Cambodia.
• December 31, 1970 – the United States begins withdrawing troops from Vietnam.
• June 30, 1971 – The 26th Amendment was added to the Constitution, giving 18-year-olds the right to vote (“If we are old enough to die for our country we are old enough to vote!”)
• June 17, 1972 – Five men, including a salaried security coordinator for President Nixon’s reelection committee, were arrested for breaking into and illegally wiretapping the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Washington, D.C., Watergate complex.
• December 18, 1972 – American forces begin bombing Hanoi and Haiphong.
• January 20, 1973 – Richard Nixon sworn in as President for a 2nd term.
• January 22, 1973 – in Roe v. Wade the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas statute banning abortion, effectively legalizing the procedure across the United States. The court held that a woman’s right to an abortion was implicit in the right to privacy protected by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. This decision was overturned in 2022.
• August 9, 1974 – With impeachment proceedings underway against him for the Watergate Affair, President Richard M. Nixon resigns, becoming the first president in American history to do so.

Top 40 Billboard Singles of 1970:

• Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel
• (They Long to Be) Close to You, The Carpenters
• American Woman, The Guess Who
• Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head, B.J. Thomas (from the movie Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid , released in 1969)
• War, Edwin Starr
• Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Diana Ross
• I’ll Be There, The Jackson 5
• Let It Be, The Beatles
• Mama Told Me (Not to Come), Three Dog Night
• Make It with You, Bread
• Hitchin’ a Ride, Vanity Fare
• ABC, The Jackson 5
• The Love You Save, The Jackson 5
• Cracklin’ Rosie, Neil Diamond
• Candida, Tony Orlando and Dawn
• Spirit in the Sky, Norman Greenbaum
• All Right Now, Free
• I Want You Back, The Jackson 5
• Julie, Do Ya Love Me, Bobby Sherman
• Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours, Stevie Wonder
• Instant Karma!, John Lennon
• Lookin’ out My Back Door, Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Something’s Burning, Kenny Rogers & The First Edition
• Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes), Edison Lighthouse
• The Long and Winding Road, The Beatles
• He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, The Hollies
• Come and Get It, Badfinger
• Cecilia, Simon & Garfunkel
• Lola, The Kinks
• Easy Come, Easy Go, Bobby Sherman
• Make Me Smile, Chicago
• 25 or 6 to 4, Chicago
• We’ve Only Just Begun, The Carpenters
• Fire and Rain, James Taylor
• Evil Ways, Santana
• No Time, The Guess Who
• The Wonder of You, Elvis Presley
• Up Around the Bend, Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Travelin’ Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Woodstock, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
• I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, Dionne Warwick