Someday he will be gone

~ MaryG

I think one of the hardest things about accepting Trump’s reelection is that it feels like a mortal wound to the idea of the “beloved community” that many of us 70s kids grew up with.

Popularized by Martin Luther King Jr, the “Beloved Community” is a global vision in which racism, poverty, and militarism are eradicated—a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one’s fellow human beings. In King’s words, the Beloved Community was not utopian, but attainable through hard work and commitment to ethical principles and systemic change achieved through nonviolence.

Mr. Rogers brought that vision to life for those of us who were a bit too young to remember MLK when he was alive. Mr. Rogers (and also Sesame Street) taught us there’s a place for everyone in the neighborhood. It’s better to be kind than to win. Bullies were unequivocally bad. Even the cold old Catholic Church got nicer in the seventies when the reforms of Vatican 2 led to a focus on the New Testament—lots of felt banners and folk music.

And raise your hand if you remember Free to Be, You and Me. For those who don’t remember, it was a pioneering children’s album and television special created by Marlo Thomas in the early 1970s that promoted gender equality, individuality, and emotional expression. Featuring stars like Alan Alda and Diana Ross, it encouraged kids to reject traditional stereotypes and embrace who they are, becoming a cultural touchstone for a more inclusive generation. My sister and I listened to that album over and over again.

Someday Trump will be gone.

And on that day, I’m going to listen to Free to Be, You and Me from start to finish.

Full track list:

Free To Be… You And Me – The New Seekers

Boy Meets Girl – Mel Brooks & Marlo Thomas

When We Grow Up – Diana Ross

Don’t Dress Your Cat In An Apron – Billy De Wolfe

Parents Are People – Harry Belafonte & Marlo Thomas

Housework – Carol Channing

Helping – Tom Smothers

Ladies First – Marlo Thomas

Dudley Pippin And The Principal – Billy De Wolfe, Bob Morse & Marlo Thomas

It’s Alright To Cry – Rosey Grier

Sisters And Brothers – Voices of East Harlem

My Dog Is A Plumber – Dick Cavett

William’s Doll – Alan Alda & Marlo Thomas (probably the most memorable and groundbreaking track on the album)

Atalanta – Alan Alda & Marlo Thomas

Grandma – Diana Sands

Girl Land – Jack Cassidy & Shirley Jones

Dudley Pippin And His No-Friend – Bob Morse & Marlo Thomas

Glad To Have A Friend Like You – Marlo Thomas

Free To Be… You And Me (Reprise) – The New Seekers

Camping with the “Campfire Girls” in the mid 1970s, when the seeds of our hopes for a peaceful, inclusive, accepting world were planted.

15 thoughts on “Someday he will be gone”

  2. “…there’s a place for everyone in the neighborhood. It’s better to be kind than to win. Bullies were unequivocally bad”

    You would think these would be undisputed truths that we all could grab onto. Sadly, the “Orange One” believes in the exact opposite. I still have hope the pendulum will swing away from the insanity. I refuse to let him win.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. I’m surprised I don’t remember this album. What a lineup! Interesting concept to think about what song I will play. What comes to mind is “Bless the Beasts and the Children” which for me is an anthem about kindness.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oh, that’s a good song and represents the same ideas. (I wonder if your parents kept “Free to Be” from you & your sisters because of their religion. My father is a conservative and he was not a fan of Mr. Rogers, but he didn’t keep us from watching it.)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. Brilliant post, Mary! I remember this song, though I think that’s from my own foray into folksy music, rather than it being the atmosphere of my upbringing. 🙂 I’ve still got the vision and vibe. ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you Stephanie! Another thing we had in that era was ZOOM – another PBS show about kids being themselves and being accepted. Real local kids were the cast and it was produced by WGBH Boston.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Now I have the Zoom song in my head. 🤣 I remember it on in the waiting room of my school for after school care.

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment