Alternative Faces in Athens

In the spirit of transition that is facing the nation (see Letter from the Editor) Stand Up proudly presents the faces of the aging counterculture in Athens, Ga. These are the men and women who will pass the torch to this generation of leaders. They were involved in some of the legendary activist movements. They are living examples, right here in this community, of what the current state of America could result in if we were all to work hard to promote our own chosen movements.

Cole, 55. Cole is a tattoo artist who works out of Aces and Eights here in Athens, Ga. and prefers to go by only his first name. he has been tattooing since the 1970s, when it was thought to be only “for bikers and outlaws,” he says. Over the years he has seen the once taboo art form become a common rite of passage for Generation X-ers, just one of the many examples of the counter culture moving into pop culture. And while Cole has seen drastic changes in the art form, he still enjoys the creativity it allows him. (Photo/Stephanie Jackson)

From Right to Left: Nancy MacNair, 71; Deb Weiler, 57; Anne Boston, 54 and Beth Kelley Zorbanos, 55. The Women in Black meet every Tuesday between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Arches on North Campus to protest the war in Iraq. Most of the women involved have been active in progressive politics for a long time (Boston, for example, has been protesting since the Vietnam War), but others were inspired to act after the U.S. invasion began in 2003. (Photo/Shanessa Fakour)

Ed Tant, 61. Tant, based in Atlanta, has been active in progressive movements since 1968. He is a columnist for The Athens Banner-Herald, and his work has appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers throughout the country. He has been known to travel cross-country to bring his readers first-hand accounts of progressive protests. (Photo/Shanessa Fakour)

Rae Sikora, 52, and JC Corcoran, 57. Rae Sikora, a freelance writer specializing in responsible consumerism and JC Corcoran, a full time vegan activist, met two years ago at a national vegan convention where both were speaking. They recently moved to Athens in semi-retirement to focus on their activism. While the conservative atmosphere (and humidity) have been a lot to get used to, both are excited about the chance to bring their views and experience to a community in need of a change. (Photo/Stephanie Jackson)