Bob Dylan started his career in folk music in the 1960s, which was an era of turbulence in the US and the world. When John F Kennedy was elected President of the United States, most Americans thought it was the dawn of a golden age; sadly, it was only a short-lived dream. America's involvement in the Vietnam War dragged on and the Blacks continued to suffer racial discrimination although they were set free in 1863, sparking off protests across the country. Dylan, in his 20s, by writing and singing anti-war and protest songs, became an instigator speaking for his compatriots by employing music for meaningful causes.