Broad Ripple High School - Riparian Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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Wars, scandals and tragedies mar confused decade America found herself fighting an unpopular war in a jungle covered land called Vietnam. Richard Milhaus Nixon was President and the Hon. Spiro Agnew presided over the U.S. Senate. Students burned draftcards on campus and demonstrated in Washington. America seemed to be falling to pieces and many were worried about the future. However, the future saw women, the largest minority, assert their power. Congress passed the Egual Rights Amendment and the Supreme Court ruled anti-abortion laws unconstitutional. Demands of egual pay for equal work and affirmative action programs were heard. Females achieved election to public offices as well as higher and more powerful positions in the business world. But soon afterwards, an anti- feminist backlash started. By 1980, the ERA looked dead and the prospect of women being drafted into the Army made equality look less attractive. Other minority groups became more vocal and suddenly there were new Leftists, Gray Panthers, and even Gay Rights. The candidate who seemed to typify the liberal of the 70 ' s was Sen. George McGovern, democratic candidate for President in 1972. Despite the backing, McGovern lost in a landslide to Richard Nixon. The Nixon- Agnew team ' s glory was short lived as political scandals forced both to resign within a year and a half. Gerald R. Ford became president. Then Vietnam fell, the FBI and CIA assassination plots, and Congressional scandals unfolded. Traditional trust of political officials became the cynicism of the 70 ' s. Gov. Ronald Reagan ' s anti- government speeches were applauded and a tax revolt started. America turned conservative, but elected a moderate Jimmy Carter. Three years later, American hostages were seized by Iranian militants demanding the return of the deposed Shah of Iran. An outraged American public showed its unanimous support for the President and for the first time in history the U.S. stood united. But America ' s attention soon shifted to Russia after its invasion of Afghanistan. America found both world opinion on its side and the third world against Russia. America pulled out of the Moscow Olympics in protest of the Russian actions leaving America ' s amateur athletes in a state of confusion. America in 1980 was at peace, not war. The world looked to her for leadership not crimes. Students demonstrated for solar power and against Iran where a few years before they demonstrated for a revolution against war. America faced many challenges in the 70 ' s but despite all the scandals, she has survived after all these years. BALANCING ACT . . . Speaking before the Indiana House and Senate, U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind), lobbies for the passage of a bill asking Congress to balance the Federal budget. HOMETOWN HERO . . . With his coach Robert Counsil looking on, Kurt Thomas thanks the Indiana House for a resolution passed in his honor. The I.S.U. graduate is the reigning World Men ' s Gymnastic Champion. 70 ' s Issues 27

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REACTING AGAINST REACTORS . . . Residents march against the construction of the Bailey Nuclear plant in the northern Indiana town of Valparaiso. Anti-nuclear feelings peaked after the events at Three Mile Island. A STEP DOWN . . James F. Neal, former Watergate prosecutor, leads the defense team for the Ford Motor Co. in the landmark exploding Pinto case. Neal handles cases of the magnitude that most attorneys dream of. PROSTESTING PATRIOTS . . . Wabash College demonstrated on the circle against the holding of 50 Americans by Iranian Militants. The American flag was displayed prominently in stark contrast to years past. I tf c NO Kim SCO- m ■ N 1 26 70 ' s Issues

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70 ' s: Quest for personal pleasure Men became women, Bo Derek became a sex symbol, pet rocks caught the nation ' s eye, test tube babies were born, and King Tut reigned again. A decade of bizarre incidents and weird people combined to produce a time of turmoil, changes and fun. Once upon a time life was simple and predictable. If a baby was a boy all understood where he came from and that one day he would be a man. But the technology of the 70 ' s discovered ways to fool Mother Nature. For a few thousand dollars faces could be redesigned, bodies rebuilt, and sexes changed. Nothing was impossible. From T.A. to T.M., Psychology was a topic of common concern. People read I ' m Okay You ' re Okay, and listened to songs like Do You Know. Psychology came of age in the decade that started with LSD on the campuses and ended with Valium in the homes. Reality was escaped as the whole world became a stage. Star Wars was seen several times and unknown number of quarters spent on Pinball games. Mark Spitz won seven gold medals but Olga Korbit won America ' s heart. The Lone Ranger lost his mask, but Superman flew again. Muhammed Ali made boxing popular, while Bobby Knight made I.U. basketball champs. Frisbees soared, skateboards zoomed, and giant balloons raced. The political movements of the 60 ' s had become the fun moves of the 70 ' s. The eternal search for the unique led Americans to buy mood rings, winged hats, and even a book which not only said nothing of value, but nothing at all. Life was something in the 70 ' s; it was a time of changing tastes and personal pleasures all in the pursuit of fun. Although bad-mouthed as the Me Decade for most students it was the only decade . A NEW WOMAN . . . Controversial tennis star Dr. Renee Richards prepares to serve to Chris Evert Loyd who won the match 6-1, 6-0. The former male has drawn both praise and criticism for her outspoken remarks and she continues to maintain a public life. 28 70 ' s Trivia