University of Delaware - Blue Hen Yearbook (Newark, DE)

Page 11 text:

Hen Seratch Solidarity: Workers Unite Polish industrial workers got the attention of the world when, under the leadership of Lech Wa- lesa, they went on strike during the summer of 1980. The workers were demanding, in their words, a decent life: the right to form unions, decent living conditions, less standing in long lines for goods like meat, flour and sugar, The union, Solidarity, claims 1o acknowledge the supremacy of Poland's Communist Party, how- ever, their actions led to political and social reforms as well as de- sparately needed economic re- forms. Moscow, needless to say, kept a very close eye on its largest satellite, and Soviet troops were ready to strike at Poland's bor- ders. President Carter warned the Soviets to let the Poles solve this themselves. The non-communist world, full of sympathy and admi- ration for the people, sat back and watched, hoping to avoid any military clash especially with the Soviets, The Polish Communist Party leaders, many of whom were dis- missed as a result of the strikes, made many proemises to the peo- ple. Some, like building a memo- rial to slain workers and allowing newspapers to print real news, were granted relatively quickly. Others required more negotia- tions with Solidarity leaders. The Poles know what they want, and now that they have shown the world that communism is not working, they will be ready to fight to get it. Punking On! The disco fad of the 70's is dead. Replacing the ' John Travolta days, is New Wave. This new idea can be characterized by safety pins, ripped T-shirts, thin ties, tight pants, and anything else that looks wild and crazy. Groups such as The Ramones, The Sex Pis- tols, The Talking Heads, YXTC, and many, many more are now moving up on the charts, 1980 - Blue Hen Il - 19841 Photo By Karen McKelvy The 1980 election was one of surprises. Many opinions were heard prior to the actual day of voting: It would be a close race, Anderson may end up deciding the winner, Reagan is too dras- tic a change, Carter is the lesser of two evils. But, things do not always end up as expected. Ron- ald Reagan proved to be a winner by amassing over 400 electoral votes a landslide victory. Presi- dent Jimmy Carter conceded the election before the West Coast But The Music Lives On On December 8, 1980, a part of the sixties generation died. John Lennon, former Beatle singer Jsongwriter, was fatally shot out- side his home in Greenwich Vil- lage. As news of the assasination spread, people all over the world mourned the end of an era, and radio stations began a week-long tribute to Lennon by playing his songs, both old and new. Thou- sands of people gathered in cities world-wide, holding vigils to pay tribute to the man and the music that had had such a dramatic af- fect on their lives. Ironically the murderer, Mark Chapman, seemed undisturbed as he fired the fatal shots and later as he was dragged away by police, Only ballots were even counted. John Anderson had almost no visible effect whatsoever on the out- come. The public, fed up with limmy Carter's inability to solve the existing problems, gave their support to the Republican Party, led by Reagan. Beginning in Janu- ary 1981, a new form of leadership took over the White House. Con- servative Reagan will probably make many changes, and the pub- lic hopes that he will be able to solve some of the problems that limmy Carter could not. hours before, Chapman had got- ten Lennon to autograph an al- bum. The assasination appeared to be premeditated, although there was no apparent motive. Chapman may have killed John Lennon-and God only knows whybut no mortal can kill the music, mysticism or the dreams he created.

Page 13 text:

Jackrabbit Sim Carpenter Sports Building was the scene of the first big-name concert presented by the Student Program Association SPA during the fall semester. Steve Forbert returned to the University early in September, bringing with him his usual blend of folksie music and rock-and- roll. .. . And More! Forbert created a homey atmosphere by telling the audience to pull their chairs closer 1o the Hl.l:;',i', .mui by k:'t';'rl. ly,' Lp a llIFIIIiJ'I'L', rnul'lq:-ln;.;':u with them. They were rewarded with an electrifying performance with three encores to satisfy their desires,