Happy Birthday to me

So I have been to hell in back these past 24 hours. I may not be fully back but for a solid 24 hours I have been dealing with a stomach virus from the depths of hell. I think I met Hades.

 

I’ve never felt this weak before. I’ve been trying my best to stay hydrated. I feel like I’ve lost 10lbs…not in a good way.

 

So, I’m sad to report that I missed the Anastasia musical I had been looking forward to for weeks. I gave my tickets to a grandma and her granddaughter and the granddaughter really enjoyed it.

 

Since it’s my birthday, the best one yet, I thought I would look up some facts about the year I was born.

 

In 1989:

 

The U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #1 was “She Drives Me Crazy” by Fine Young Cannibals.

 

In the UK it was “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles.

 

The top R&B song was “Every Little Step” by Bobby Brown.

 

Rain Man was the popular film, along with Field of Dreams and Pet Sematary.

 

Popular TV shows were The Crosby Show, Cheers, and Miami Vice

 

The fashion trends! Oh boy:

 

Bold shoulder pads

 

High-waisted acid-wash jeans

 

Demin Jackets with embellishments

 

Oversized blazers

 

Animal prints and vibrant patterns

 

Popular children’s toys:

 

Game boy!

 

Cabbage Patch Kids

 

Koosh Balls

 

Jenna

 

Global Context:

 

The world was witnessing significant political shifts with the Soviet Union experiencing internal unrest and the end for several Eastern Bloc regimes.

 

The late 80s saw some rapid advancements in technology as it set the stage for the digital revolution of the 90s. The birth of the World Wide Web though it didn’t actually go public until 1991.

 

Personal computers were becoming more popular such as the Apple Macintosh SE/30 and Macintosh IIcx for professionals and IBM PCs for businesses and homes.

 

VHS and VCRs were at their peak of popularity. Blockbuster!

 

CD-ROMs were a new and exciting way to store data and media.

 

Typewriters were still being used

 

Walkmans and Cassette tapes

 

Paper maps–no GPS!

 

Film cameras

 

A couple of the biggest natural disasters were the Loma Prieta 6.9 earthquake in San Francisco that resulted in 63 deaths and 3,800 injuries. The Exxon Valdez oil spill happened when the oil tanker struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil spilled across 1,300 miles of coastline.

 

The Sexiest Man Alive was Sean Connery even at the age of 59 which makes him the oldest recipient of the title to this day.

 

The Most Beautiful woman was Michelle Pfeiffer

 

The social injustices of the time involves The Central Park Five Case where five black and latino teenagers were wrongfully arrested and convicted for the 28 year old white female jogger who was brutally assaulted and raped. It wasn’t until 2002 when the real perpetrator confessed and the convictions were vacated.

 

The murder of Yusuf Hawkins involved a black teenager who was shot and killed by a group of white youths. The incident sparked widespread protests and marches led by activists like Reverend Al Sharpton. This incident brought attention to racial tensions and violence in the city of Brooklyn, NY.

 

The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment (CRPE) was established to provide legal support to low-income communities dealing with environmental hazards such as toxic waste and pollution. These communities often composed of people of color and CRPE highlighted the intersection of environmental issues and social justice. It emphasized the need to address environmental racism.

 

 

 

Have we come farther as a society from 36 years ago?