Red text on an upper left side with white background and white text on a blue background in the lower right

This is a protest button against “the Generals”: General Electric, General Foods, General Motors, General Dynamics, and General Schwarzkopf. During the 1950’s and 1960’s these companies were considered to be some of the largest and most powerful companies in the world and led their respective markets. Most of “the Generals” are not as powerful today due to smaller companies catching up, though General Electric is currently one of the most powerful manufacturing companies in the United States. 

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The quote on this button is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India, who inspired movements for freedom and civil rights across the world.  The quote implies that responsibility begins and ends with one’s own behavior. According to a 2011 article in the New York Times, there is no reliable documentary evidence for the quotation. The closest matching quote is “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him…We need not wait to see what other do.” 

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During the October 1991 Senate confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice nominee, Clarence Thomas. a report was leaked to the press that contained allegations against Thomas for sexual harassment. The allegations came from Anita Hill, who had originally worked with Thomas for two years as his personal assistant when he was the head of the Office of Civil Rights at the Education Department in Washington D.C.. Upon the reports release, Hill was called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee in a televised hearing where her statements proved divisive amongst the American people. Though Hill was hailed by supporters as a voice for the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, many found Hill to be delusional, being unable to produce any credible evidence to support her claims. 

Despite her testimony, Thomas would go on to to be sworn into the position of Supreme Court Justice with a vote of 52-48. Though the allegations were never proven, Anita Hill continues to be hailed by her supporters as a champion for women's rights and for bringing the issue of sexual harassment into the national spotlight.

Anita Hill is an American lawyer and a professor at Brandeis University, where she teaches social policy, law, and women’s studies. 

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In the farewell address of President Dwight D. Eisenhower on January 17, 1961, he warned Americans to keep an eye on what he called, "the military-industrial complex". He was warning the American people to not let the mutually beneficial relationship between the military and industry dictate the actions of the United States because this sort of power could threaten the nation's freedoms and lead to war for profit.

This button plays on the meaning of “complex” as a psychological condition that could be cured, implying that America’s military industrial complex could gotten rid of.

Illustration of a leaf with white text on it on a white background with orange black and white text

The Berkeley Guides are travel guidebooks published by Fodors. The green leaf with white text appears on the front cover of some of the Berkeley Guides between 1993 and 1995 to advertise contests and promote environmental causes. The text on the leaf is different depending on the contest.  

The words "Turn over a new leaf. Recycle" promote the importance of recycling since "turn over a new leaf" has been associated with recycling campaigns since the mid-1970s. The leaf which reads "You can't see the forest if there aren't any trees" refers to a contest The Berkeley Guides had to win a free trip to the rain forest. 

Red and blue shield with white text and an illustration of a cross on a white background

The "New Era Movement" was a program organized by the Presbyterian Church following the First World War. At the 130^th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) held in 1918, the program was created to foster cooperation and unity between all members of the Presbyterian Church community. By 1920, the program was reorganized, with a new goal of promoting and modernizing the Church’s programs and encouraging new membership.

Photograph of a man's head and shoulders on a white background surrounded by a black outer edge with white text

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist and minister. He was born on January 15, 1929, and died on April 4, 1968. He led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. Through his activism, he played an influential role in ending the legal segregation of African-American citizens. He is also known for his speech, “I Have A Dream,” and within the speech he uses the popular American phrase “Let Freedom Ring.” 

Illustration of superman on a white background with black and red text

From July 18 – August 22, 1976, comic book illustrations featuring Superman were on display as part of an exhibit at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York. The exhibit, entitled "Cartoon Art: An Exhibition in Two Parts", was organized by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Junior Group. 31,668 visitors attended the exhibit which featured cartoons and memorabilia on loan from Sol Harrison as well as works by Faith and John Hubley. A second exhibit was held simultaneously at the Charles Burchfield Center (now the Burchfield-Penney Art Center).

Illustration of a red hat with a black tassle coming out of the top and a yellow and blue symbol on the front on a white background with black text around the outer edge. There is a green, red and gold ribbon attached at the bottom edge that is connected to a multi-colored plastic camel

The Shriners was established in 1872 by Walter M. Fleming and William J. “Billy” Florence as a new fraternity for Masons that focused more on fun than ritual. The Arabian theme of the Shriners inspired both the fez, which was adopted as the official headgear of the Shriners in 1872, and the emblem, which can be seen on the fez. The Shriners are known for their philanthropic efforts, particularly in support of the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The first hospital was established in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1922.

The Imperial Session takes place annually. During the week-long event, members of the Shriners from around the world gather to join discussions and vote on business matters, as well as participate in family-friendly events and the Shriners parade. At the end of the Imperial Session, a new Imperial Potentate is installed. The Imperial Potentate acts as CEO of Shriners International and serves as chairman on the Board of Directors for the Shriners Hospital for Children.