Retail and Technology Revolutions Life in the 1980s Economic Growth Retail and Technology Revolutions Social Problems Rise of Activism

Economic Growth Yuppies: Young, urban, professionals Effect of baby boomers Graduating college Entering workforce Emphasis on getting ahead Growth benefited upper and middle classes 1967 to 1986: Top 5% of Americans had between 15.6% and 17.5% of all wealth By mid-1990s, over 21%

Retail Revolution Discount retailing Selling large quantities of goods at very low prices Attempting to sell goods quickly to turn over inventory Idea of selling a lot of goods at little profit would make more money than selling fewer products at higher prices

The Wal-Mart Effect System of distribution centers to enhance re-supplying his stores Computer database to track inventory and sales Others copied idea of “superstores”

Media Revolution Ted Turner creates WTBS in 1975 First superstation that sells low-cost sports/entertainment via satellite to cable companies nationally Results in creation of ESPN, HBO, CNN (founded by Turner as well), MTV Robert Johnson creates Black Entertainment Television (BET) Grew up poor, convinced TV could promotes business and culture for African-Americans MTV paved way for rise of rap music, which originated in the Bronx and focused on rhythmic beats and African-American inner- city experiences

Other Media Changes Sony Walkman VCRS Video Games

Social Problems Despite economic gains, the US had many problems including drug usage, crime, disease, poverty, and homelessness Drug use spreading to all areas and ages Effects on crime rates New Jersey v. T.L.O: school has right to search without a warrant if it had probable cause Vernonia School District v. Acton: Random drug tests do not violate rights

Social Problems (continued) Drunk driving and drinking Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) founded in 1980 to stop underage drinking 1984: Congress cuts highway funding to any state that does not have a legal drinking age of 21 All states complied within 4 years Why?

AIDS Epidemic 1981: researchers identify AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Weakened immune system HIV: Virus that causes aids Between 1981 and 1988 the CDC identified over 100,000 cases in the US alone

Activism Rises Stonewall Riot marks beginning of the gay activist movement Police raided Stonewall Inn in NYC due to sexual orientation of the patrons (not uncommon practice for police raids at this time) Led to creation of Gay Liberation Front and other groups whose primary goal was to increase tolerance Led protests, marches, etc.

1984: Irish rocker Bob Geldof organized “Band Aid” to help starving people in Ethiopia Following year evolved into Live Aid “We Are The World” Led to Willie Nelson organizing “Farm Aid” to help American farmers and musicians promoting the end of Apartheid in South Africa

Senior Citizens in Politics Medicinal Improvements=Longer Life Expectancy Declining Birthrate—younger population comparatively smaller Social Security benefits creating budget pressures Seniors needed a voice in politics to avoid cuts to Social Security and Medicare, so the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) was founded in 1958.