Written by Lisa Browning
One might argue that, given the political climate we’re currently living in, a book about political issues is a particularly timely one. Have things improved, gotten worse, or stayed the same in the last 58 years?
67/68: A Diary of the 60’s is an opportunity to reflect on that question. Written by former Guelph resident and CMHA employee Keith McKenna, the book is a history of political and cultural events of that watershed year in the city of Toronto and beyond.
At that time, Keith was a grade eight student in North York, and the book is written from his perspective, in memoir format. Other characters include best friends, teachers, bullies, and other outcasts.
Each chapter starts with a radio bit from either CHUM or CFRB AM, which allows for a recap of news, sports, and popular music tunes. As the year is covered month by month, starting with August 1967, we see the optimism of 1967 change into the horror of the assassinations of 1968. While the political parts of the months are humorous, the personal, mental health parts are more serious. They are about responses to trauma, as Keith moves through the responses of dissociation, addiction, impulsivity, and emotional bluntness. The heroes of the story are the friends and teachers who show that it takes a community to raise a child.
Following are a few questions I recently asked Keith, and his responses to those questions.
1. What was your motivation for writing this book?
Keith: My motivation was twofold: one reason was to remember the struggles we went through as kids in the 60’s, marching for an end to war and marching for gay rights and women’s rights. The other motivation was to celebrate the era’s pop music and the DJs that played those tunes on the radio.
2. What do you hope will come of having it published?
Keith: By reading the book I hope that people will see the similarities between the 60’s and the present, and perhaps they’ll see that the issues of foreign wars and individual rights are still a concern.
3. Are you still in touch with Danny and John? And, if so, what were their thoughts about the book?
Keith: I’ve shared the manuscript with John and others featured in the book. Their main reactions were that I’d caught the spirit of the times well, and with an uncanny memory for the pop music and the political events.
4. What do you see as the most prevalent issue, addressed in your book, that still exists today? Has it improved, worsened, or stayed the same?
Keith: The issues back in the 60’s are ongoing today. In mental health, can anyone safely say in a job interview “I have a bipolar disorder and may need 2 months off when I’m not well.”? Can two same-sex partners get married in any church or American state? I don’t think so.
5. What do you think is the best thing people can do to make this world a better place in which to live?
Keith: All I can say in response is to quote my history teacher: Get involved, make a difference. Start anywhere!
You can purchase 67/68: A Diary of the 60’s on Amazon here.
