When Elvis Presley returned home from being drafted into the army, he had no idea how much the music industry, as well as the world was about to change. During the 1950’s most pop artists, including, Elvis Presley, either had their music written for them or they would steal the songs the black blues players had written. 

In the 1960’s this would change and bands writing their own music would soon become the norm. In 1959, Jan and Dean began a new form of music in America Called Surf music. It seemed America would soon forget rock and roll and surf music would reign supreme.

Motown forms in 1959. It incorporates in 1960.  They represent the R&B and black music scene. It would see 79 records in the top-ten of the billboard hot 100 between 1960 and 1969. Artists included: Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, The Four Seasons, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5, The Supremes including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, The Miracles, The Temptations, The Contours, Martha and The Vandellas.

As a side note: Stevie Wonder signed with Motown at the age of 11. He had been blind since shortly after his birth. A child prodigy. He is one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful musical performers of the late 20th century, and has continued his recording career into the 2010’s. He has recorded more than 30 US top ten hits and received 25 Grammy awards and has sold over 100 million records worldwide.

In 1960 Barbara Streisand would start her recording career and would move to film soon after that. She is one of the best selling artists of all time and the best selling female artist.  With 53 gold albums, 31 Platinum albums and 14 multi-platinum albums in the united states. She has sold more than 68.5 million albums in the US and a total of 150 million albums world wide. 

America Likes “Ike”
Republican president and World War II general Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower entered office on January 20, 1953 and left it on January 20, 1961. Early in his presidential career, Eisenhower helped end the Korean War. During the ensuing Cold War, Ike pursued a moderate domestic policy and maintained a balanced national budget. Eisenhower left America with a strong economy, progressive science and aerospace programs and gains in education and civil rights.

In 1961 The Beach Boys were formed following the formula of surf music.  They became one of the most popular bands of all time. In 1962 and 1963 The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean dominated the charts. Songs like Surfin Safari, Surfin USA, Surfer Girl, Little Deuce Coup, etc for the Beach Boys and Surf City, Little Old Lady from Pasadena for Jan and Dean.

Kennedy’s Tragedy
President John F. Kennedy succeeded Eisenhower on January 20, 1961. He was a spirited Democrat. In 1962, the 43-year-old Kennedy led the United States through the Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy focused on progressive issues including civil and human rights and the arts. He also founded The Volunteer Peace Corps. On November 22nd, 1963, Kennedy’s presidency ends when an assassins bullets find him in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. This was the third year of his term.

In 1962, Dick Dale entered the music scene with his instrumental version of Surf Music. He continued through 1964. He could be the precursor of heavy metal guitar playing today.

1n 1962, Booker T and the Mg’s released the instrumental “Green Onions”. It would go on to hit number 1 on the billboard R&B chart and number 3 on the pop charts and sold over one million copies.  It has been used in numerous movies including American Graffiti.

In 1962 Columbia records signs Neil Diamond. His career would see 38 songs in the top 10 and sales o over 100 million records worldwide.  His number one singles include: Cracklin Rosie, Song Sung Blue, Longfellow Serenade, IF You Know What, Desiree, You Don’t bring me Flowers, America, Yesterday’s Song and Heartlight.

In 1963 Bob Dylan had his breakthrough album. His songs Blowin in the wind and the times they are a changing  became anthems for the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti War movement, making him a reluctant voice of a generation.  In 1965 he went electric recording the 6 minute single like a rolling stone, enlarging the scope of music.

In 1963 Columbia Records signs Simon and Garfunkel. They achieved mainstream breakthrough and success in 1965 with ‘The Sounds of Silence”. And became counter culture icons of the social revolution.  They have won 10 Grammy Awards. Their album Bridge over Troubled Water is one of the worlds best selling albums reaching 51 on Rolling Stones 500 greatest albums of all time.  They have sold more than 100 million records and are among the best selling music artists of all time.

In October of 1963, the first news of The Beatles began to surface in America. Surf music continued to thrive until 1967 when Jan from Jan and Dean had a near fatal car accident where he recovered from brain damage and partial paralysis. 

In 1963 the Yardbirds formed which would bring three of the greatest guitar players of the 1960’s. Eric Clapton 1963 – 1965, Jef Beck 1965 and1966 and JimmY Page 1966 – 1968.

On November 22nd, 1963 John F. Kennedy, one of the most beloved presidents of all time, is shot and killed during a motorcade through Dallas Texas. This was to mark the start of one of the most tumultuous times in America’s short history and would become one of the countries most changing decades.

Transitioning with Johnson
John F Kennedys democratic Vice President Lyndon B Johnson is sworn in the day of Kennedys assassination. Johnson continued Kennedy’s work by passing new civil rights legislation. He also attacked poverty with “Great Society” programs such as Medicare and urban renewal. His decision to draw America deeper inot the Vietnam war was met with widespread protests. Johnson saw the country through most of the 1960s, leaving office on January 20, 1969.

In 1964, Brian Wilson, who was the leader and main song writer of The Beach Boys suffered a panic attack. In 1965 left the band. He delved into the Los Angelas “hip” scene and began experimenting with LSD, Marijuana, Desbutal and the drugs of the time. In 1966 the band released the hit single Good Vibrations that followed the psychedelic theme the bands at the time were following. Surf music would soon come to an end.

On February of 1964, The Beatles arrived in America. Soon after they made their debut on a television program called the Ed Sullivan Show. They played five songs in two sets. The first set included “All My Loving,” “Till There Was You,” and “She Loves You”. In the second half of the show, they played “I Saw Her Standing There” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”  

The British Invasion, as it is known in America, had begun. Rock would soon dominate the music scene once again. This first wave of this musical invasion included The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals (House of the Rising Sun), The Troggs (Wild Thing), The Dave Clark Five (glad all over), Herman Hermits (Mrs. Brown, you’ve got a lovely daughter), The Searchers, Gerry and the Pacemakers and Peter Gordon (A world without love) to name a few. 

On June 20th, 1964, The Rolling Stones emerged, doing their first American tour.  The rolling stones only wanted to keep the blues alive and reintroduce it to America.  For this reason, their first tour was all old blues copy songs.  The set List included Not Fade Away, Talkin Bout you, I Wanna Be Your Man, Hi Heeled Sneakers, Route 66, Walking the Dog, Tell Me, Beautiful Delilah, Can I Get a Witness, I Just Want to Make Love to You, and I’m Alright.  Soon after they began writing their own songs. “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” became one of the theme songs of the decade.

Although his career began in 1958, Roy Orbison put in the Americans contribution to 1964 when he released “Pretty Woman.”

In 1964, the Velvet Underground, led by Lou Reed, is formed.  They were a favorite of Andy Warhol who was an artist, director and producer and was part of the Pop Art Movement of the 60’s.

In 1964 the song Everybody Loves Somebody, sung by Dean Martin beat out the Beatles “A Hard Days Night” for the number one spot in the United States.  Dean Martin Started his career in 1949 and recorded more than 100 albums and 600 songs.

In 1964 the civil rights acts passes.

Malcom X, an American Muslim minister and human rights activist is killed on February 21st, 1965. Malcom X was an advocate for the rights of blacks and indicted white America for its crimes agains black Americans. This would compound civil unrest among the black community and spearhead the civil rights movement. 

On august 11-16 1965 the Watts Riots occurred in Los Angeles.  An African American, who is on parole for robbery, is pulled over for reckless driving on August 11th. A fight broke out and escalated into a fight with the police. During this 6 day race riot, 34 deaths are reported and over 40 million dollars in property damage is inflicted.

Although the Viet Nam war stated in November of 1955, the First American troops were not deployed until march of 1965. The Hippie age of Free love, drugs and music was going strong by this time and the protests and drug culture would continue to dominate the era. 

The Haight-Ashbury district became popular with the hippies in the early 1960’s.  Hippies sought it out to constitute a community based upon counterculture ideals, drugs and music.  The neighborhood offered a gathering spot for like minded people to create a social experiment. It would soon spread through the nation. In 1966, the first ever “Head Shop” opened on Haight Street offering hippies a place to purchase marijuana and LSD, which was essential to hippie life in the district. 1967 was known as the summer of love. Slogans such as “Make love not War” were the mantra of the day.

Hunter S Thompson labeled the district Hashbury, in a reference to the drug hashish. The activities in the area were reported by the New York Times Magazine almost daily. Hunter S. Thompson was  a famous writer at the time and author of fear and loathing in Las Vegas.  Fear and loathing in Las Vegas was an in-depth look at the drug culture in America. Its still a cult classic today.

Timothy Leary was one of the Drug cultures (counter-culture) most prominent figures in the 1960’s. He was an American psychologist and writer. As an exploration of their therapeutic potential, he started experimenting with psilocybin Mushrooms and LSD in 1957.  He had many catch phrases such as “Turn on, tune in, drop out” and think for yourself and question authority.  Although not a musician, his use, teachings and beliefs of LSD would have a profound effect on the music being written during the 1960’s.

In 1965 Demonstrators burned draft cards.

The first protest to the Vietnam war started in 1965 and they would continue well into the 1970’s. The Vietnam war was sold to the public as a war where a sophisticated and ultra wealthy super-power would easily defeat a Third World nation. In 1965, Body bags increased and the draft was instituted sparking the riots. This was the first war that America had fought where they were not fighting to win. When the north Vietnamese took over Saigon in 1975 it was a war America had clearly lost.

Most of these protests were peaceful and were in the form of sit ins, teach-ins or marches.  They involve all races of students as well as hippies. Martin Luther King gives his endorsement.  However, at Ohio’s Kent State University in 1970, protests turn violent when a university building is burned to the ground. The National Guardsmen fired live rounds into the crowd killing 4 and wounding 10 others.

Canned Heat release it hit “Goin Up to the Country” in 1965.

Tom Jones releases its not unusual, in 1965, beginning his illustrious career and making him one of the most popular vocalists of the British Invasion.

In 1965, Country Joe and the fish,  a psychedelic Rock Band, formed in Berkeley California.

Although Tommy James and the Shondels formed in 1964, it wouldn’t be until 1966, with the release of Hanky Panky, that they would become known.  Thier follow up hit Crimson and Clover was released in 1969.

In 1966, Eric Clapton formed another band after doing one album with John Mayall and the blues breakers. This album is known as one of the greatest blues recordings of all time. Cream would distribute 4 albums in 1966,67,68 and 69. They are known as the first super group. Their third album is the world’s first platinum selling double album. Some of the songs written and recorded by cream include crossroads, spoonful, born under a bad sign, strange brew, I feel free, sunshine of your love, white room, etc.

In 1966, Frank Zappa releases his first album and music would never be the same.  His career spanned an impressive 30 years during which time he recorded 60 albums.

In 1966, The Grateful Dead had their first show recorded by one of their fans. In 1967 Warner Brothers Records release their first album. They would go on to fame in the 1970’s and continue playing today.

In 1966 the television show the monkeys debut and lasted until 1968. The monkees career would last until 1971. They offered up a string of hits such as Daydream believer and last train to clarksville.

In 1966 Buffalo Springfield forms in Los Angeles.  Stephen Stills, Neil Young and Richie Furay. After various drug related arrests the band broke up in 1968.

1967 would be a big year for new artists and would start the second wave of the British Invasion. 

Although The Who formed in 1964, it wasn’t until 1967 that they would enter America playing the Monterey pop festival. I can’t explain hit the top 10 in the UK in 1965. It’s followed by a string of singles that include My Generation, Substitute and Happy Jack. I Can See for Miles would become a US top ten single in 1967

In 1967, Janis Joplin with big brother and the holding company made their first appearance at the Monterey pop festival. She is one of the most successful and widely known female rock stars of her era.  She recorded three albums during her lifetime. Two with big brother and the holding company 67 and 68 one with the cosmic blues band. She became a part of the 27 club when she died Oct. 4th, 1970.  An entire anthology has been released posthumously. Songs include Down on me, Piece of My Heart, Cry Baby, Me and Bobby Mcgee.

In 1967 The Doors release their first album. Jim Morrison would soon find himself part of the 27 club when he died in 1971. The Doors embodied the hippie counter culture with  songs like Light My Fire, Love Me Two Times, Love Her Madly, and Touch Me to name a few. Music critics and fans alike regard Jim Morrison as one of the most iconic and influential frontmen in Rock history.

In 1967 The Jimi Hendrix Experience does their first concert in London.  Their first album are you experience the same year. Jimi Hendrix is well renowned as the greatest rock guitarist of all time. His influence is still felt in music today.  His songs Purple Haze, Hey Joe and The Wind Cries Mary reach number one in the UK, changing the way rock guitar is played forever. Other notable songs from Jimi Hendrix are Manic Depression, Foxy Lady, Wait Until Tomorrow and Are You Experienced. Jimi’s version of The Bob Dylan Hit All Along The Watch Tower became a favorite theme song for Hollywood movies depicting the 1960’s and the Hippie counter culture. Jimi also became a member of the 27 club when he died September 18, 1970.

On Sunday July 23rd, 1967 in Detroit Michigan, one of the deadliest  and most destructive race riots in American history.  It begins when an unlicensed, after hours bar was raided by police.  The Riot  was mainly confrontations between black residents and the Detroit Police Department.  It lasted five days with 43 dead, 1189 injured, over 7200 arrests and 2,000 building destroyed.

Arlo Guthrie – In 1967, Arlo Guthrie release  Alice’s restaurant Giving him voice to the antiwar movement.  Arlo’s father is woody Guthrie. 

In 1967, Cat Stevens releases his album Matthew and Son in the UK, reaching the top 10. 

In 1967, the Bee Gee’s, who formed in 1958, had American tours in 1967 and 1968.  They would achieve critical acclaim in the 1970’s during the disco phenomena.

In 1967, Blood Sweat and Tears release their first album.  The second album would follow in 1968.

In 1967, The Jeff Beck Group, (A British band) started gaining prominence in the United States. Jeff Beck would go on to an instrumental career. He would become one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock.

In 1967, Vanilla Fudge releases “Keep Me Hanging On.”

In 1967, Captain Beefheart , a high school friend for Frank Zappa, would release their first album. After two separate record labels drop them, they sign to Frank Zappa’s Straight Records. They released 1969’s trout Mask Replica. Critics and fans describe it as unlistenable, a joke, and a masterpiece. Later it would rank 58th in rolling stone magazines 500 greatest albums of all time.

In 1967, the Moody Blues release days of future past. They formed in 1964. 

In 1967 Traffic releases their first three hits. Paper Sun, Hole in My Shoe and Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush. This launches Steve Winwoods Long and illustrious career. Traffic disbanded in 1969.

in 1967, the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs play in The first Super Bowl.

By 1968, the psychedelic blues rock of Cream and the Jimi Hendrix experience was enormously popular.

Marin Luther King Junior is assassinated on April 4th 1968.

June 06, 1968 Robert (Bobby) F Kennedy (John F Kennedy’s Brother) was assented.

In 1968, Joe Cocker releases his hit single. Little help with my friends.

Jan 31 1968. The tet offensive occurred, weakening public support for the Vietnam war.

In 1968 the Amboy Dukes, led by a 20 year old Ted Nugent, scored their only hit with Journey to the Center of the Mind.  Ted Nugent would go on to be a legend in the 1970’s during his solo career.

In 1968, Creedence Clear Water Revival release’s its version of “Suzy Q”. They would go on to sell 26 million albums in the United States alone and disbanded in 1972. 

In 1968 Steppenwolf released its hits “A Girl I Know” and “Sookie Sookie”. Soon after, they release the hit “Born to be Wild”, and their version of Hoyt Axtons “The Pusher”, rocketing them to worldwide fame.  They have sold 25 million Records worldwide.

Led Zeppelin forms in 1968. In 1969, They release their first album. Each of their nine studio albums placed in the top 10 of the Billboard album chart. Six of them reached the number-one spot. They achieved eight consecutive UK number-one albums. Rolling Stone magazine described them as “the heaviest band of all time”, “the biggest band of the Seventies”, and “unquestionably one of the most enduring bands in rock history”.

In 1969, The Allman Brothers Band release their first album.

Blind Faith, led by Eric Clapton’s guitar playing releases its first album in 1969.

In 1969, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young release their first album

Grand Funk Railroad releases its first album in 1969

In 1969 Humble Pie releases its first album

Although they formed in 1967, Jethro Tull would start to see success in 1969.

Woodstock New York, aug. 15-18 1969. 400,000 attended 3 days of peace and music.

The Controversial Nixon
Richard M. Nixon served as the last president of the 1960s, beginning his term on January 20, 1969. Nixon’s accomplishments included improved rapport with both China and the U.S.S.R., the end of the draft and strong environmental policies. As the 1960s ended and the ’70s began, the United States reached a goal set during the Kennedy administration and put men on the moon. Nixon laid the groundwork for an end to the Vietnam War. However, Nixon was the only president in U.S. history to resign, ending his second term on August 9, 1974 due to his involvement in the Watergate scandal.

Other notable happenings in the 1960’s:

In 1964, Alice Cooper forms but will not see success until 1970

In 1964 Bob Marley and the Whalers release their first album.  Bob Marly would become the premier Reggae singer of his time, introducing Reggae to a generation of people in 1970’s in America.

The Guess Who forms in 1965 and would find fame in the late 60’s and early 70’s

Carlos Santana forms his first band in1966, but won’t rise to prominence until the 1970’s

In 1967 Three Dog night forms finding its success from 1969 – 1975

The band Chicago forms in 1968.  They would find Fame in the 1970’s

In 1968 Deep Purple formed becoming one of the most prominent bands of the 1970’s

In 1968 Black Sabbath formed releasing their first album paranoid in 1970

1969 would also mark the first time an American walked on the moon.

Country Western Acts of the 1960’s:
The Flying Burrito Brothers – Country rock band best known for their influential 1969 debut album “The Gilded Palace of Sin”

Buck Owens – Started with a Radio show in 1945. 1963 started to be famous with Act Naturally. 1969 television show Hee Haw.

Loretta Lynn –  signed with zero records in 1960; grand ole opera in 1962; Reached number 1  with Don’t Come Home A Drinking(With Lovin on Your Mind) in 1967. Has sold more than 45 million albums worldwide. 24 number one hit singles and 11 number one albums. The most awarded female country recording artist and the only female ACM artist of the Decade of 1970.

Johnny Cash – February 26th, 1932- September 12, 2003. Sold more than 90 million records world wide. In1954 he auditioned at sun records. In 1955 he made his first record. 1957 brought Folsom prison blues. Songs include I walk the line, ring of fire, Folsom prison blues, A boy named Sue, Jackson.

Glenn Campbell April 22, 1936 – August 8th, 2017.  First hit in 1965 with Gentle on my mind. 1967 By the Time I Get to Phoenix. 1968 Wichita Lineman. 1968 Dreams of the Everyday Housewife. 1969 Galveston. 1975 Rhinestone cowboy. Released over 70 albums in five decades, 45 million records worldwide. Twelve gold albums, four platinum albums and one double platinum album.

Merle Haggard April 6 1937 – April 6th, 2016 Went to San Quentin Prison in February 21, 1958.  Released from san Quentin on parole in 1960. Started recording in 1962.  Had a national hit with sing a sad song in 1964. 1965 first national top 10 with (My friends are gonna be) Strangers. 1967 recorded lonesome fugitive with the strangers. 1969 Okie from Muskogee and the Fightin side of me.  During the 1960’s to the 1980’s he had 38 number one hits on the US Country charts.

Merle Travis November 29 1917 – October 20, 1983  1937 started playing with Georgia wildcats. 1943 he and Grandpa Jones recorded together. 1946 became famous. A form of guitar finger picking, called Travis Picking is credited to him. 

Patsy Cline – September 8 1932 – march 5 1963. Died at 30 in private plane crash. Hits pagan in 1957. With Alan Blocks Walkin’ After Midnight. Hank Cochrans and Harlan Howard’s I Fall to pieces. Hang Cochrans She’s Got You. Willie Nelson’s Crazy, and ended in 1963 with Don Gibson’s Sweet Dreams.

Roy Clark April 15, 1933 – November 15, 2018.  Hosted Hee Haw from 1969. Was probably one of the greatest guitar players of all time. His styles included classical guitar, country music, akin mush, bluegrass and pop.

Willie Nelson – born April 29, 1933. Shotgun willie 1973. Red headed Stranger 1975 and stardust 1978 made him one of the most recognized artists in court music. 1962 recorded his first album.  Wrote “Crazy” Hello walls, funny how time slips away, pretty paper in late 1950’s.  He has recorded 68 studio albums. 12 live albums. 42 compilation albums. Two Christmas albums. The soundtracks of the electric horseman and honeysuckle rose. As well as 34 collaboration albums.  He has sold more than 40 million albums in the united states alone. He has written at least 342 songs and had 33 number one hits.

Blues of the 1960’s
BB king 1949- 1990 was playing during those times.  Born Sept 16 1925 died May 14 2015

Bo Diddly 1943 started playing juke joints -Born Dec 30 1928 Died June 2 2008. Success in the 1950’s

Elmore James born jan. 27 1918, died May 24, 1963

Muddy Waters born April 4 1913 died April 30, 1983

I lived out of the country for fifteen years. Ten of those fifteen years I spent in various cities in China. These cities included Shanghai, Beijing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Beijing, Xian, and Harbin. Originally, I went to China for a job as a sales director in a Dalian office. Honestly, what they needed was a white person to stand in front of their Chinese clients and give podiums. This gave the company credibility.  What they didn’t count on was the fact that I’m an amazing closer. During the first month, I outsold every manager/TO in the company. Of course, the company paid for a translator as I don’t speak Chinese, making the accomplishment even more impressive.

When word got out about my accomplishments, I found myself being moved from company to company. I set up salesrooms, trained sales reps, and wrote and created new iPad presentations. I helped with marketing, gave podiums, and closed tables. In every company I worked for, revenue doubled in the first month, and we never looked back. The first month they thought I was lucky. By the third month, they started to believe. After the first year of maintaining those numbers, they thought they could do it without me. A year later, they would tell me I was the most expensive person on the team and would be let go. I was okay with this until I had worked for 4 or 5 companies. Eventually, I ran out of companies to “fix”.

After six months of working with the last company, I was still looking for another opportunity. My savings were dwindling and the only way to stay was if by living with my wife’s parents.  I had married a Chinese lady and we had a five-year-old girl. I thought it was important for her to spend as much time with her grandparents and great grandparents as she could. So I agreed to this arrangement.

I was offered a position teaching English during this time. My students were 16-22 year old kids. My job was to help them pass an English literacy test. Probably one of the most educational things I’ve ever done. After a few months, it was time to return home.  Don’t get me wrong, My wives parents are some of the finest people I have met.  Truly salt of the earth.  We didn’t speak the same language and I spent many nights drinking beer and trying to communicate with her father.

Upon returning home, I am finding it almost impossible to find work in the timeshare industry.  If you read my post about Thailand’s culture, you know I quit smoking, gained more than 50 pounds, and had pretty low self-esteem. The first job I interviewed for ridiculed me for living in Thailand. The next one humiliated and ridiculed me for living in China. COVID hadn’t yet made it to America but it was rampant in China.  I think the hope was that the “China Virus” wouldn’t make it to the states.

I should have known what was going to happen when I explained to the recruiter I had lived in China for 10 years. “Did the Chinese Government pay you to bring back COVID-19?” Was her response.  

I had trained a sales team in Wuhan for about a week. That was at least 9 months before COVID had hit China. The interview, if you can call it that, didn’t go much better than the recruiter’s comment. I say if you can call it that because it wasn’t an interview, it was an ambush. When I arrived, the receptionist asked me to wait. Not a big deal as all interviews start this way.

As I walked through the door, three men sat in an office with a fourth attending by his computer.  I will refer to him as the man behind the curtain.

“So China” said one.

“Thats a communist country”, said another

“They’re destroying our country, exclaimed the third

“You a Commie?” Said the man behind the curtain.

“How would someone like you get the jobs you’re describing here?” Asked the third?

“Where’d you go to college?”

This went on for at least 45 minutes without me being able to answer a question. Their need to humiliate me and call me a liar was astonishing. Their insecurities were incomprehensible.

“The rooms you ran in China were only small rooms”. The man behind the curtain exclaimed in victory, as my head swam from the barrage of questions I had endured.

“My wife is Chinese and I have a beautiful half Chinese daughter.” I finally said.

At this the interview was over.

Again, I’m not complaining about the treatment I received. I believe racism is nothing more than ignorance. I also believe Ignorance can be treated with education and travel.

Let me try to educate you. This is what China is according to a foreigner that lived there for 10 years of his life:

1. As you know, America is a republic, not a democracy. If you look at our government it’s also a capitalist society. The definition of capitalism, according to the Oxford language dictionary is: “an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state”. According to that definition, America is a capitalistic country with overtones of democracy. 
   
   In a Rubert Neate article published in the Guardian on October 21st, 2019, he states: “The number of wealthy Chinese people has overtaken the number of rich Americans for the first time, according to a report by Credit Suisse”
   
   This is no longer a Marxist Communism.  It is a communist government with capitalistic overtones. Mao Tse Tung doesn’t run China anymore. It’s now a country with opportunity for its citizens to become wealthy.  Of course, government ties don’t hurt.
   
2. In 1980 China’s one-child law went into effect. America reported people were killing female born children in an effort to have a male child. This could be one of the biggest lies America has ever told. In the ten years I lived there, I met hundreds of men who had female children. They loved their daughters just as much as any person on the planet loves their daughters. In fact, one of the customs in China is for the groom’s parents to purchase his new wife a house. The average cost of a flat in Shanghai over a million dollars. Parents are relieved to be released from this burden.
   
   I’m sure you’re thinking, “Sure but that’s in the major cities.  What about the farmers that rely on large families to work in the fields? Surely they were killing the female children so they could have males.  Do your homework. Families were allowed more than one child in agricultural communities.  In fact, anyone could have more than one child if they were willing to pay the government for that privilege. I personally met a few, very few, couples that had up to three children. 
   
   The one-child law had many positive results.  The girls had many wonderful breakthroughs. 
   Because there were no brothers, to compete with, it was the girls that went to college. It was the girls that traveled the world. And it was the girls that had the many benefits of a family’s wealth and standing. Now, let’s face it, our world now holds over 7 billion people.  How many more can it hold before it reaches a breaking point? Won’t all countries institute a one-child policy when this happens? How else can you control the rapid growth of people on our planet?
   
   90% of Chinese citizens are only children. My father was an only child so I was very familiar with only child traits before I arrived. In China, they call it the little prince syndrome. Only children are are the center of a family’s universe. They have limited social skills. They are usually selfish. And they believe they have an entitlement. It’s why you see people going off on each other. I think they’re afraid to come to blows, but they do like to yell.
   
3. In 1937 Japan declared war on China. They committed some of the most horrible atrocities seen during world war II.  A concentration camp built outside of Harbin, China was equally as horrifying as Auschwitz. Its name was Unit 731. For 10 years this served as Japan’s biological war unit. In this camp, the Japanese conducted horrendous biological tests on countless Chinese people. Is it any wonder the Chinese hate the Japanese to this day?
   
   The Chinese people believe it was Chairman Mao that defeated the Japanese during world war 2. He is a national hero.  When I asked friends about the millions of people Chairman Mao killed, they answered that they were enemies of the state and deserved to die.
   
   The reality of World War II is that it was the Chinese long-standing war with China, as well as the Russians defeating the germans, in Russia, that won the war.  The two atomic bombs America dropped on Japan were basically overkill, and the straw that broke the camels back. The Japanese probably would have surrendered without the devastation of the bombs.
   
   Chairman Mao said, “America is nothing more than a paper tiger.” Because of this statement, the Chinese people believe if a war were to break out with America they would be victorious. However, there is another saying in china; “Wait until you’re ready and the opportunity arises. So to answer the question I’ve been asked about China wanting to rule the world. I have no idea.  I never knew anyone in the Chinese government.  If that’s their plan it could be a long time before they believe they’re ready and the opportunity arises.  Depending, of course, on America. If America continues to support them as they have been, it’s very possible they will bite the hand that feeds.
   
4. China has one of the longest histories of anywhere in the world. Some of their historic sites are mind-boggling as well as breathtaking.  I had the unique opportunity to visit a non-tourist area of the great wall. This section had remained untouched since it was built. It was amazing to realize the hardships the soldiers must have endured while building this wall. The terra cotta warriors were probably my favorite historical site. It was the first place I visited where I saw a sign on the stairs asking people not to push each other.
   
   According to the Chinese I spoke to, they’ve been cheating each other their entire history. For this reason, there is very little trust in China when it comes to purchasing anything. It’s also common to watch someone go off if they feel mistreated, or if they feel cheated.
   
   I was locked in my office once when approximately15 Chinese couples came in demanding their money back.  When we called the police, they informed the mob they had to let us leave. They also informed us that we had to let them stay in the office as long as they wanted.  This included not locking the doors. We had to allow them to get out to eat and use the restroom. We also had to accommodate a sleeping area for them. If they destroy something, such as a computer, then, and only then, will the police get involved.
    
   I also saw a family, wanting their money back, hit one of our managers in the head with a hammer. This time the police got involved because a weapon was involved.
   
5. The Chinese people still hold Americans in high regard. Laowai is the Chinese word for foreigners.  It doesn’t matter where you are for in the world, you are a Laowai.  I had many conversations with friends and translators about whether Laowai is a derogatory or respectful term. It literally translates to old foreigner. Since Lao (Old) is used for many terms including boss, husband, and wife, I don’t think it’s derogatory.  Whether or not it is respectful I don’t know.
   
6. The average wage in China is approximately $500.00 per month, and the older generation has more money in the bank than the average American. They will not buy anything on credit. If they can’t afford it, they don’t buy it. The younger generation is changing and as China becomes westernized credit is becoming more common.  Because of low wages, most things the average person needs is inexpensive.  My phone bill was about $15.00 a month.  Internet ran about $100.00 a year.
   
   If you eat nothing but Chinese food, it’s less expensive to eat out than to cook at home.  But beware, Chinese food is not what they serve in America. I found sweet and sour pork once or twice in the ten years I I lived there. There is no such thing as shrimp in lobster sauce. One of my favorite meals was malatong. It’s a soup where you pick the meat or vegetables you want in it.  Hot Pot is popular and is where you cook your own food, in a soup at the table. 
   
   When ordering crab, don’t expect drawn butter. Expect soy sauce and wasabi when ordering raw oysters. Cocktail sauce is an unknown substance for shrimp.  Some delicacies include Chicken feet, pigs’ feet, and on one occasion I did eat chicken heads.  Not bad actually but you do need to remove the beak before you eat it. A Chinese saying is: “Be the first to eat the crab.” Think about this. Who was the first person to eat a crab? Do you think the first bite was scary? So when in China, don’t be afraid to be the first to eat the crab.
   
   Eating habits were fascinating to me. In America, when you go into a break room, you can find people drinking soda and snacking on chips or other junk food. In China, they eat fruit and drink warm water. No cold water dispensers in China. It’s why Asians stay so thin. When I sat down with a bag of Lays and a cold coke, I was told I must be a child as only children would eat snack foods.
   
   Because of the lack of food people experienced during Mao Tse Tung’s rule, asking someone if they ate is considered polite and kind. Most companies give food to their employees during major festivals (Holidays in America). These companies thought of as kind and generous. When I would visit phone rooms, I would always show up with ice cream.  When I was running phone rooms I would set up SPIFS with America candy and snacks I brought back from America. Honestly, they would have rather had an apple or an orange. They did, however, love burger king. When I added a whopper to the SPIF board, they would split it up between them, and enjoy it together.
   
7. I have to be honest.  The first three months I lived in China I hated it. The reason is the lack of Personal space. In America, if I stand next to you, you will move. I will too. We all have about three feet of personal space we don’t want it invaded. So if we’re shopping at the same table I could literally chase you around it by moving closer to you when you move.  This is not the case in China.  It is common to be standing in line with a man or woman’s chest against your back.  They don’t mean anything by it. It’s just with that many people, personal space and being on top of one another is common. 
   
   Interestingly enough, there is a lot of open space in China. I would ride the fast trains from one city to another. These mag-lev trains are simply amazing and can travel up to 300km per hour.  After we got outside the cities, the countryside was vast and beautiful.  There are also large parks in all of the major cities with free things to do. There are small areas to work out. Musicians play music in pavillions. Ladies dance in groups. Men practice Tai Chi in open spaces. Others play Mah Jong and cards.  It was absolutely candy to the sense. I was welcomed to dance with the ladies, or if I brought a guitar, to play with the musicians. I really loved this part of China!
   
8. What you see above the ground in China is not all there is. There is equally as much going on underground. Underground malls that go five or six stories below the surface of the earth are common. These “underground malls” are known by the locals. Many will have the counterfeit goods you hear so much about. It’s not that these companies intentionally try to cheat these companies, but owning name brand and fashion products show great standing in the eyes of others. With wages low, these fake products allow the average Chinese citizen to have that air of wealth and to be looked up to instead of looked down on. Honestly, some of the knock offs are of better quality than the real thing.
   
9. While on this subject I would like to talk about the beggars on the street. If you’ver ever seen the movie “slumdog millionaire”, you know how the movie portrays the beggars. China is no different. the children begging on the subway was heartbreaking to me. Some of these children were as young as 8 or 9. As they made their way through the subway cars, they would get on their knees, bow before the person in front of them, and prostrate themselves on the ground. When I asked some of my coworkers about the children, I was told not to worry about them and that they have more money than “any of us.”
   
   I have seen old ladies kneeling on frozen streets with a bowl in front of them afraid to look at the people passing them. I once saw a very large man laying on the stairs going to the subway. A long scar flowed down the middle of his back. It looked like someone had cut out part of his spine. I tried to befriend a man with one leg that played guitar while begging on the subway, only to be told, by him, that it insulted him when I would give him money every time I saw him.
   
   I saw a man kneeling on a street in the middle of winter in Harbin. Harbin is about 300 kilometers from the Russian border to give you an idea of how cold it is. This man knelt in a pair of pants and no shirt for at least 3 or 4 hours. How he didn’t suffer from hypothermia I will never know.
   
   In other instances, there would be news reports of fake beggars on the streets. They would take turns acting like they were sick or paralyzed and lay on the street while their partners collected money. The beggars broke my heart, amazed me, and confused me all at the same time.
   
10. I was stunned that most parents wanted to talk to their children before purchasing. The Chinese put a lot of trust into their next generation. This includes them being the ones that make the financial decisions of the house. Now of course not all Chinese people believe this way but it’s stunning how many do. 
    
    Chinese are fascinated with Americans’ desire to move out of their parents home at the age of eighteen. This is inconceivable in Chinese culture and most Chinese will stay with their parents far beyond the age of 18. Independence is not celebrated or yearned for in China as it is in America. Most are horrified by the idea. Of Course, in their culture Americans moving out at eighteen is heavily exaggerated. They believe ALL Americans move out and it’s the end of the parent-child relationship. Prejudice is a door that swings both ways.
    
11. While we’re on the subject of children, I was simply flabbergasted about how opposite our beliefs and culture actually are. I had a friend that owned an English school. He asked if I would help the kids with what is called an IELTS test. It’s a test for English literacy and comprehension. I explained to him that I’m not an English teacher and the thought of teaching nouns and verbs didn’t interest me.
    
    Not what I want he said, I just need someone to talk to them and help with their pronunciation. So three days a week for a couple of hours a day I would go to the school and talk to a group of kids between the ages of 16 and 22. I asked them about their family, their life, school, etc. This was probably one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. In America, it’s the “bad boy”, or the athlete that’s always the most popular kid in school.  In China, it is the smartest kid in school that’s the most popular.
    
    Children in China are not allowed friends, sleepovers, or to hang out.  They spend their time studying. The importance is placed on getting into the best university. Kids go to school most of the day and then come home with 3 or 4 hours of homework. Studying consumes these kids for 10-12 hours a day.  If there is a major festival or holiday, where they get out of school for an extended period, they’re in English school learning how to speak English.
    
    At the end of the year during final exams, many kids literally jump off a building and commit suicide. The stress of getting high grades and honoring your family is high. This particular building is now closed during finals week. All of the kids I spoke to resented this to a point. they believed they should have more time to be a child and less to sit at home and study.
    
12. When I first arrived in China, I was expecting to meet some of the smartest people in the world.  The only comment I will make on this subject is book smarts and street smarts are two different things. As one of my best friends would say. Common sense isn’t so common after all.
    
13. With China being a communist country, the homes and land are owned by the government. This does not stop homes from being bought and sold. And with home prices in Shanghai topping a million dollars for a modest condo, it’s very profitable.  Here’s the catch. The government sells homes on a 70-year lease and no one knows what’s going to happen at the end of the 70 years. The government could extend the leases or they could take all of it back. Most of the time, the government wants to tear down the high rises before the 70 years are up. They pay the residents and owners a hefty profit or give them a home in the new building.
    
    I worked for an English gentleman who owned a resort in Africa.  We did an off-site office in China and sold his property to the Chinese. He believed if we sold in perpetuity, as we do in America, we could increase sales.  Nothing could have been further from the truth. When presenting this concept, you could see looks of confusion on their faces. It seemed to be incomprehensible to them. The ones that could understand it would ask “why would we want it forever?”  We quickly went back to our 5,10,15 and 30-year programs.
    
14. Most things in China are inexpensive and the average person can afford them.  Cars are not. Cars have a 100% tariff on them. If you pay $20,000 for a car in America, a person from china will pay $40,000 for the same car. Old cars are not allowed on the roads so the used market is very small. This doesn’t stop anyone from buying and I was shocked to see how many BMW’s, Mercedes, and Audis there were on the road. Driving has only been popular during the past 20 years. The cities aren’t designed for cars and parking is hard to find. None of this is a deterrent and the car sales seem to be going strong.
    
    I never drove in China. Public transportation is far easier and cheaper than owning a car. Taxi rides were always an adventure and with my limited Chinese they became fun for me and the taxi drivers.  Honestly, I was scared to drive as it looks like total mayhem. I saw very few accidents while I was there and no fatal accidents. There was a method to the madness.
    
    Here’s an important tip you if you ever decide to visit.  If you visit a city where it snows and the roads ice up, it’s almost impossible to find a taxi during inclement weather. With cars being so expensive, everyone would rather take a taxi than take a chance of crashing during the storms. So bring extra-warm clothes, bundle up and try to keep calm. Believe me, I know how aggravating it can be when a taxi driver pulls up and then waves you off because he doesn’t like your destination.
    
15. The great firewall blocks YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.  I thought they did this because the Chinese government didn’t want its citizens reading about events in their history they wanted to hide. These would include what happened in Tiananmen Square, WW II, etc.  What I found was most of the older generation know about these events. They just don’t believe they are newsworthy enough to tell the younger generation. I don’t believe the government has said not to talk about them, I just think its something that happened, and they have better things to concern themselves with.
    
    The great firewall blocks these sites because of money. They have their own Facebook called WeChat. They have their own YouTube called Youku. And, Weibo is similar to twitter. Although WeChat has an option similar to twitter as well. With 1.4 billion people living there, it’s better to keep money in the country than it is to let it go to western companies.
    
    I believe the great firewall is more about protecting its people. Porn is not easily accessible in China as it is in America. Television has very little violence, and most TV shows resemble the Carol Burnett show of the 1960s. I’m not a commie, but I do believe America’s laws are too lax when it comes to the internet. It’s too easy for children to access porn at young ages. And the violent video games are over the top. We allow young children to be inundated with sex and gore in our society. Then we sit around and say “I just don’t understand why kids are bringing guns to school and killing each other.” What happened to our world? People are rioting, tearing down statues, and killing each other. Do you think it might have something to do with the sex and violence that are so easy to access?
    
16. When I first arrived in China, I had an office on the top floor of a hotel.  I think it was on the 21st floor.  From my window, I could see a government building.  At some point, they were going to allow a business to move into the city that the locals did not agree with. People started to show up at this building. It started looking like an American protest. After a few minutes, I could see SWAT vehicles driving to the scene. Actual SWAT Vehicles with SWAT painted on the sides of them.  Seeing these trucks, the people disappeared. I didn’t see them the rest of the day. No shots were fired and no violence erupted in the streets.
    
    A protest was rumored to occur in Tiananmen square, in another instance. When the government heard this news, they dispatched something like 300 police officers to the square. For the next few days, the police stood on the street instructing people to keep moving and not to stop.  Hard to protest if you can’t gather in a group.  Again, no shots were fired and there was no violence in the streets.
    
    We all know what America’s stance is on protests.  Let them get out of control and then send in the government to use violent tactics to solve it. You can judge by your self which you think is the better way to go.
    
17. As a child, I was taught without religion there would be anarchy in the streets. Religion and the Bible, they said, hold the fabric of society together. In China, there is no religion. There are pockets of Buddhists and there are some Christian churches in certain cities, but most people are atheists. We went to attend a church one Sunday and brought our daughter. She was probably 4 or 5 at the time.  They informed us that it’s illegal to enter a church with a child her age, and didn’t allow us to enter. I asked friends about this incident, and there is a law prohibiting the teaching of religion to children.
    
    Interestingly enough, I never felt threatened. Even walking home at 4:00 in the morning drunk and out of my head, I never felt threatened. Even if it was 4:00 in the morning.  I saw one time where a police officer was using force, and that was when I was in a Taxi. I never knew the story of what happened.  People do yell at each other, but I never witnessed nor was the victim of violence while living there.

As you can tell, I have thousands of stories I would like to share with you about this incredible country and culture.  Unfortunately, I would have to write a book to get it all out and I doubt anyone would read it. I will say this though. I loved the people of china, I loved the culture of China, and I loved the history of China. Unfortunately, it’s getting more westernized by the day and it’s only a matter of time before it slips away.  If you’ve ever wanted to visit this country, go now. It changed substantially during the 10 years I was there. I’m sure it is changing faster now.

Last but not least. Chinese people are not our enemy. They are kind loving people that are just like you and me.  We all want to have better things in our lives.  We all would like to live in a nicer home and drive a nicer car, and we all want our children to grow up and be better and happier than we are.  If you cut us we all bleed red.  I don’t always agree with our government and they don’t always agree with theirs. We have the opportunity to speak out about our government. They don’t. Severe punishment can await them if they do. In their society, you learn to keep your mouth shut about such things. The Chinese have perfected keeping their mouths shut.

Please stop the hate! I’m a trump supporter as well. I think he’s an idiot, most of the time. He’s full of himself and says some really stupid things. But, I believe he really loves America and wants what’s best for it. I agree with the hard stance he’s taking with China. They are wealthy enough now and can start pulling their own weight. I don’t agree with him demonizing a country so it’s easier to justify a war and kill the monsters of that country. No country in the world is full of monsters. And, most people in the world don’t agree with what their government is doing. Do you?

President Johnson started all of this nonsense at the end of world war II. He did it because he knew the economy got stronger during the war. A war economy is what he thought would keep America strong. A war economy is what he made in America. I believe JFK’s assassination was due to him trying to change this. Isn’t it time we change it now?

Everyone you ever meet is going through their own turmoil and crises. You just don’t know what it is. Isn’t it time we learn kindness and start seeing each other as the same instead of separate and enemies?