From all the speakers we’ve had in class who have been a part of 68, its easy to see the passion they have for their role in the movements of the time. You could literally see Geoff, Sam, and Sarah lighting up as they recounted the old days in the poster workshop. The same goes for Eammon McCann as he remembered marching in protests and feeling connected to fellow protestors across the Atlantic shouting the same rallying cries he was. At the time of the protests, I’m sure none of them imagined those moments in the poster workshop or on the streets as being some of the best of their lives. They were focused on effecting change and I would imagine that was by far the dominating component of their thoughts. However, even as they focused on achieving the social progress they yearned for, they were forming deep connections with the people around them, the movement itself, and that point in history. It seems like those connections created a consolation of sorts for 68ers and the movement of 68. Yes, 68ers are often very assertive that not enough was achieved, but because of their deep connection to their place in history, they’re still able to wistfully remember those “glory days” with fond memories. While these important social movements may not always achieve as much in society for the target populations, it’s important to acknowledge that they do have positive effects on many of their participants, giving them meaning and happiness well into the future.
In addition to the satisfaction all 4 of these 68ers exhibited, being a part of 68 also clearly caused a lifelong commitment to standing for social progress. I believe it was Sam who proudly mentioned that he was still a radical to this day, and Eammon McCann was probably the best example. He spent his entire life fighting for social justice and admits he is most proud of raiding Raytheon in Derry to protest the creation of deadly weapons in his hometown. Although he did say he grew up to politically active parents, I think its unfair to not attribute some of his future life to the way growing up and being active in 68 shaped him.
In short, I think that when judging the successes of 68, it’s important to not discount all the positive outcomes that happened on the level of the individual. Not only did many protesters find personal fulfillment through the roles they played, a clear positive, but many like Eammon McCann were motivated to devote their lives to social justice, carrying the work of 68 on many many years later.
One thing I’ve felt through the words of the speakers we’ve had is that they all had a strong desire to foster change. You could feel the excitement in their voices when recalling the events and perhaps some of this is due to them romanticizing the times but they all seemed very genuine in their dedication to the cause. As you stated, their political views have not changed much (at least the speakers who stated their stance) which I think is a testament to their commitment to fostering change in society. They were not just kids looking to be a part of a movement, they are genuinely concerned and dedicated to change.