1969: Saddleback's war on hair

Shining, gleaming, streaming, flaxen, waxen:

Back in 1969, some hairy kid named Lindahl King tried to register for classes at Saddleback College, but he was turned away owing to his long hair. Fred H. Bremer was the Superintendent of what was then the Saddleback Junior College District, and he supported the action.

King sued.

(If you’re interested in the details of the court case, you might want to look here and here.)

In January of 1970, the “District Court issued its preliminary injunction enjoining [Saddleback] from refusing to register King in the college and from refusing to allow him to attend classes on the ground that his hair style was not acceptable under the applicable dress code.”

Two more kids signed on, and the same thing happened.

But, near as I can tell, things went downhill from there for these hairy kids. In the end (I believe), the courts ruled in favor of Bremer and Co.

I think King went on to make wooden tubas. Don't know what's become of his hair. I think maybe John's now got it pasted to the top of his head.

This is from the district’s 1970 appeal:

This is an appeal by Saddleback Junior College District from a grant of two preliminary injunctions sought by Lindahl King and two other students at the Junior College. ¶ Lindahl King alleged in a complaint filed in the United States District Court that he was refused registration at Saddleback Junior College … unless and until he conformed his hair style to the requirements of the established dress code of the school. The regulation in question proscribes:

"Hair which falls below the eyebrows, or covers all or part of the ear, or hangs entirely over the collar of a dress shirt."

He sought a declaratory judgment invalidating the regulation and an injunction enjoining the Junior College District, its Superintendent, and the president of the college from enforcing the regulation….

Fred H. Bremer: hair style "conducive to learning"

The matter came on for hearing on December 29, 1969…. On January 6, 1970, the District Court issued its preliminary injunction enjoining the defendants from refusing to register King in the college and from refusing to allow him to attend classes on the ground that his hair style was not acceptable under the applicable dress code.

Subsequently, two other students were added as plaintiffs, and on January 19, 1970, a hearing was held on their similar complaints. Upon a substantially like record the District Court, on February 5, 1970, issued the preliminary injunction in identical form against the defendants and in favor of the new plaintiffs, Mark Carlson and Michael Martin.

Well, like I said, things went downhill from there. In this appeal (April of 1970), the court opined:

Where preservation of the status quo favors denial of the injunctions, where the probability of ultimate success is in doubt, where the appellants have not shown any real hardship resulting from denial, and where the record at this time is based on affidavits which are confusing and contradictory, we do not believe the two preliminary injunctions should have been granted.

But litigation lasted at least until 1971, when the above April '70 decision was upheld. So this must have cost the district some real money.

Luckily, we know how important this case was to Bremer. In one of the filings, he was on record as opining:

"Based upon my academic training and administrative experience, I am of the opinion that dress codes which include regulations applicable to male hair styles are desirable for junior colleges. Such codes aid in maintaining an environment which is conducive to learning and in avoiding disruptions of the educative process."

Um. Guess so. In fact, no disruptions occurred with these three hairy kids set loose at the college.

Yeah, said the judge. But that doesn't mean it couldn't occur.

Young Natalie, Christmas Eve

Top photo: right-wing rocker, Ted Nugent, c. 1969

Stupid mascots and the Irvine Company's "black heart"

Pretty soon, Irvine Valley College students will confront the crucial matter of selecting a mascot to replace the ridiculous “Laser”—which, as you know, is a kind of flashlight. I’m rootin’ for the Bobcats.

For about forty years, Saddleback College has been saddled, mascot-wise, with the “Gauchos,” although all known “Gaucho” images used at the college make clear that the Saddleback College Gauchos have no clue what a Gaucho is. (They confuse the South American gaucho with, well, not the Mexican vaquero, but, well, the freakin' Frito Bandito.)

The only thing worse than the IVC Lasers and the Saddleback College Gauchos is the UCI “Anteaters.”

I arrived at UCI straight from high school, in 1973, and I guess I wasn’t very impressed. I’m pretty sure that the only club was the Young Republicans. It didn’t help that we called ourselves “anteaters.” That seemed stupid to me.

They still haven't dumped that silly mascot.

Well, in case you’re interested, above is a YouTube slide show about the selection of UCI’s mascot. It accompanies a rambling account, by one Schuyler Hadley Bassett, of how the mascot selection was made during the university’s opening year in 1965. (A conversation with Schuyler Hadley Bassett.) A freshman at the time, he spearheaded the “anteater for mascot” campaign, despite his well-founded reservations about that awful idea. Essentially, they pursued the "anteater" idea 'cause they didn't want to be pushed around by the Man.

His account is mildly amusing.

I’ll give this Bassett fella credit: he manages to refer to the “black heart” of the Irvine Company. I guess he thinks everybody thinks that. I guess they do. According to Bassett, students wanted a silly mascot, like Santa Barbara's "banana slugs," but the Irvine Co. hired professionals to come up with dignified mascots and images, and the pressure was on. The students rejected all that. Must've pissed off those Irvinos.

I found the video on a blog called Anteater Antics, “Odds and ends from Special Collections and Archives, UC Irvine Libraries.” It ain’t much.

Previous posts (surprisingly brief) have included

Waiting for LBJ
(That’s right. The crude Texan was on hand for the opening.)

“Silent Movie”
(I was around for that one, in 1976. I recall thinking that Mel Brooks was the grumpiest man alive. He was that day.)

Famous speakers from the past
(Angela Davis, Eldridge Cleaver. Back in ’68 and ’69.)

From Gaucho and Laser ridiculosity (DtB, 2/15/06)

I'm told that, when the "mascot" issue first came up at IVC, then-President Ed Hart was determined to choose, as IVC's mascot, a critter like the Wolverine. "Wolverines"? said everybody. "Yeah, goddam Wolverines!" said Ed. He was like that.

Well, I asked IVC's surviving geezers—there's like three or four of 'em, and you have to catch them between naps—and some of 'em say it was the Wolverines, and some of 'em say it was the Wildcats.


There's a great "Wildcat" story. Once the "Wildcat" mascot idea was put out there, the campus was immediately divided about it. So one of the opponents of Wildcattery found a photograph of a cat engaging in, um, personal lickage. This lurid photo was circulated around campus. 

Upon it was written, "Nobody licks the Wildcats!"

Compare and contrast...

Lasers! Lasers!
Generating an intense beam of coherent monochromatic light!
Lasers lasers,
fight fight fight!

We are Bobcats, you are toast!
We use your ass as a scratchin' post!

Meanwhile, at Saddleback College:

Gauchos? Vaqueros? What the hey!
Get our learnin' from Frito-Lay!
Gooooooooooo Gauchos!

Xmas with Love on Letterman; plus Big Star gets all existential and sings about Jesus

The glorious original recording

Alex Chilton (of Big Star) is some kinda lunatic. But he’s brilliant and wonderful and I love this song. Always have. (I hear irony—especially when he sings, "we're gonna get born now," but Chilton is from the south, so who knows.)

From Big Star’s Third, recorded in 1974. Originally, only 250 copies were made.

Nevertheless, for what it’s worth, the album has long been a critical favorite. Rolling Stone included it on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. New Music Express ranked it as #1 of “the Top 30 most heartbreak albums.” (Evidently, the Brit rock press is illiterate.) Have a listen.

Some of you oldsters will  remember Chilton from his 1967 hit "The Letter," when he was singing for the Box Tops. He was sixteen-years-old when he recorded it. Had a gravelly, soulful voice. Another great song: "Cry Like a Baby" in 1968. (Love the fake-sitar guitar, the backing singers, the production—and Alex's soulful voice.)

As Chilton grew older, the growl in his voice disappeared. Go figure. I think he was moving toward purity, angelhood.

Angels from the realms of glory
Stars shone bright above
Royal David's city
Was bathed in the light of love

Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born

Lo, they did rejoice
Fine and pure of voice
And the wrong shall fail
And the right prevail

Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born
Jesus Christ was born today
Jesus Christ was born

And we're gonna get born now

An excellent companion song/performance: Randy Newman in Rotterdam, 1979: "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (original album: 1968)

Broken windows and empty hallways
A pale dead moon in the sky streaked with gray
Human kindness is overflowing
And I think it's going to rain today

Scarecrows dressed in the latest styles
With frozen smiles to chase love away
Human kindness is overflowing
And I think it's going to rain today

Lonely, lonely
Tin can at my feet
Think I'll kick it down the street
That's the way to treat a friend

Bright before me the signs implore me
To help the needy and show them the way
Human kindness is overflowing

And I think it's going to rain today

I’ve always included this among the great flawed songs. Why flawed? It’s flat bitter; its irony is callow. (No?) Another example: the Kinks’ “A Well Respected Man” (or “Dandy”). Great song (still magical for me), but it’s something that only a young and haughty whippersnapper would foist upon the world.

–Still…..

Big Star (were never big stars; just great little ones)

SOCCCD People of the Year

Yesterday, on Red County (Conservative Of The Year), Christian Milord informed readers that the newspaper Human Events has named Dick Cheney its Conservative Of The Year for 2009.

“Conservative of the Year”: evidently, this isn’t like the Time magazine “Man of the Year” title, which has been bestowed on the likes of Hitler and You. Nope, CofY is an honor.

Milord says that Cheney deserves the award, for he’s defended “enhanced interrogation methods” (you know: torture) and he favors free markets (although he does seem to make exceptions for companies with whom he is associated) and limited government (except, I guess, when his crowd is in charge of government).

“Thank you,” says Christian to Dick, “for your great service to America and the cause of Freedom.”

OK. I hereby nominate Raghu P. Mathur for the “really competent and selfless SOCCCD leader who isn’t after money, that’s for sure” award for 2009. Also, I nominate Tom Fuentes for the “Not a rat bastard & doesn’t let politics intrude, plus he’s a true Christian” prize.

These men will long be remembered for their extraordinary achievements. They have attained the extremities of conduct—really they have—and have done so despite the burdens of defective organs and/or faculties.

They truly stand out.

I’m told that the Chancellor looks forward to the award ceremony in January, to be held immediately after the “invocation/moment of silence” of the SOCCCD “Chancellor’s Opening Session.”

We’re looking forward to that day too.

Mr. Fuentes has already commented on his award. During a recent phone interview with Dissent, he displayed his customary likability and warmth, insisting that “others, really, are far more ‘not’ a rat bastard than I will ever be!”

“Yeah, Tom? What about the ‘not letting politics intrude’ part?”

“Ha! The truth is, I let politics intrude all the time. And, by the way, I could be a much better Christian than I am!”

“Yeah? So, should we take the prize back!?”

“Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha!”

• Texas Man Says He Found Rat Jaw in Frozen Veggies

Rebel Girl is Baja Bound

See you in the new year!

Dissent gift idea (dear reader)

IT'S WINDY AND COLD and beautiful up in these mountains—kinda portentous, actually—and so, naturally, I have a suggestion.

Ever hear of the band Love and their 1967 album “Forever Changes” (FC)? No? Well, it’s time you caught up. Better yet, buy the dang album and give it to a friend. Then they can tell you all about it. It’s great. And unique.

For the initial FC sessions, the band, except for leader/singer Arthur Lee, were strung out on heroin, and so few members were present (Neil Young was involved at this stage). But after a few songs were recorded with all the fancy session musicians (including Carol Kaye on the bass), the band realized that, just maybe, they were missing their big chance, and so they straightened up and recorded the album, and quickly too. That’s hard to believe, listening to the album, which is wonderfully well-produced.

For what it’s worth, this psychedelic album, which sold dismally, has always had a stellar critical reputation. New Musical Express rated FC #6 on their greatest albums list. Rolling Stone named it 40th on its list of all-time greatest albums.

All the central players are dead now. Oh well. The music lives on. It sounds great in these crazy-sunny-cold mountains right now. (Uh-oh, I see clouds. They're moving too fast.)

The death part just makes the music sound better. (No Matter What You Do, My Little Red Book, Everybody’s Got To Live)

Some black guys and white guys, makin' psychedelic music together in the 60s

1967: meanwhile, in Detroit....
(Proof that assholes, too, can make great music.)

“Tired and disengaged? –Well, yeah, guess so. Whatever.”

In this morning’s Inside Higher Ed:

Do American Students Bring Down the Curve?

"My Lazy American Students," an op-ed in The Boston Globe, is attracting considerable online debate. The piece – by Kara Miller, who teaches history and rhetoric at Babson College – compares her American and foreign students. "My 'C,' 'D,' and 'F' students this semester are almost exclusively American, while my students from India, China, and Latin America have – despite language barriers – generally written solid papers, excelled on exams, and become valuable class participants," writes Miller. She compares the way her foreign students listen to everything she says, while "[t]oo many 18-year-old Americans, meanwhile, text one another under their desks (certain they are sly enough to go unnoticed), check e-mail, decline to take notes, and appear tired and disengaged." ….

California Community College ba(t)ch degrees?

A four-year degree from a two-year school? It could happen (Contra Costa Times) With tens of thousands being turned away from state universities, California lawmakers likely will consider granting community colleges the right to offer a limited number of bachelor's degrees. … Bachelor's and higher degrees are offered by University of California and California State University campuses, while community colleges offer two-year associate degrees and certificates for a variety of professions. … [Assemblyman Marty Block, D-San Diego] said he began considering community college baccalaureates after San Diego State recently closed admissions to local applicants. The decision left many qualified San Diego-area students without a local university option, he said….

Comments

‪Anonymous‬ said...
nooooooooooo!
10:29 AM, December 21, 2009
‪Anonymous‬ said...
Hey, they're already doing it in several states. Get used to it!
10:59 AM, December 21, 2009
‪Anonymous‬ said...
I LIKE the fact that our students move on!
11:02 AM, December 21, 2009
‪Anonymous‬ said...
What good is a degree from anywhere if there isn't a job out there after graduation?
1:51 PM, December 21, 2009
Anonymous said...
And thus the state could cut its cost per bachelor's degree substantially. Neat trick.
6:18 PM, December 21, 2009

Pictured: "Orange Union High School," 1920. Now Chapman U.

Old Town Irvine

DID YOU KNOW THAT, until the fifties, "Irvine" was Irvine Village, located on Sand Canyon? It was founded as a "hub" by the Irvine Ranch in 1887—when the Santa Fe Railroad came through—and soon included a lima bean warehouse (1895), general store (1911), hotel (1913), blacksmith's shop (1916), and post office. By the mid-60s, the focus had shifted to the new development surrounding UCI, and "Irvine village" became "East Irvine." The new-fangled fools with their planned city to the southwest took the name "Irvine."

"East Irvine" didn't stick, I guess. Today, I dropped by what is now called "Old Town Irvine," the neat product of redevelopment (and some bulldozing) by the city in 1984.

Here's a photo of the warehouse as it appeared in the 40s or 50s:

I took the shot below—of the northeast part of the building, now occupied by Tia Juana's Long Bar—maybe a year or two ago. (See history.)

I'm not sure when this one (below) was taken. It is a shot from the east, about where the 5 meets the toll road nowadays. Observe that we see two long buildings. I suspect that they were joined after the 1984 redevelopment.

You can see that western warehouse(?) below, too:

I'm told—by a friend who once worked in the building—that much of the original (processing?) machinery is preserved and visible inside the west end (at right), now offices. I'll check that out one of these days.

Below: judging by the hairstyles, this pic is, what, from the 1930s?

This shot (below) is from an earlier era, I think. Circa 1910-1920?

The general store, hotel, etc. were restored and moved closer to the warehouse decades ago. The Knowlwood restaurant occupies the old blacksmith's shop.

This appears to be from circa 1920-25. The general store?

The hotel? Circa 1913?

Compare these images with the restorations depicted above.

The east end, about a year ago.

According to La Quinta, the hotel includes "unique rooms built in a lima bean silo."

Pepper tree, across Sand Canyon, near the spot where, I believe, the general store once stood.

For information about the "Old Town" redevelopment project (1984), see city document. "Old town" was first designated "Myford," after James Irvine's son, since the name "Irvine" had already been taken. That was in the 1880s. By 1914, the other Irvine must've dissolved, cuz the name became available; they took it. Hence: "Irvine Village." Then, in 1964, the Irvine Co. needed the name for their UC-centric development to the southwest. "Irvine" or "Irvine Village" became "East Irvine," or "Old Town Irvine." Now, it's pretty much forgotten, except by customers of Tia Juana's Long Bar.

Holiday cat

TigerAnn pretty much does what she wants to do. You can make requests, but she generally ignores them. Luckily, most of what she wants to do is pretty acceptable. Plus she tolerates hugs and kisses and such--up to a point. It cannot be denied that she has settled into a kind of permanent peevishness, although it is combined with a kittenesque inclination to do stuff, keep active, rip around.

Most cats I've known betray at least a hint of solicitousness, unless they're solitary brutes who seek to avoid or destroy humanity. Not TigerAnn. If I'm working on my laptop and she wants attention, she'll climb right on my chest or laptop and plant herself there, as though my interests couldn't possibly matter. It is a remarkable thing. It is marvelous. Sometimes, I try to communicate the existence of my contrary interests, but it is of no use whatsoever. She commences pressing keys, standing on them. Her expression: utter inscrutability.

She is, I think, a tolerant cat. That is, she tolerates me. She does not annoy easily. If I want something from her, she will quietly ignore me, communicating only an utter indifference to my interests. She is, in her mind, rising to the occasion, waiting patiently for me to just go away. She is virtuous.

The infernal feline often looks into the distance, but I have yet to observe her actually offering an opinion or inclination about it. I am vexed.