The Woodstock generation…hippies…flowers child…? Espousing views of peace and love? Being on the tail end of the Baby Boomer’s I have had a small glance at this generation that ‘changed the world’. You look at my music collection or peek in my closet you might just think I am an old hippie too! But I have very little respect or admiration for the whole movement. (music and clothes are great though)
Hippies were not concerned with world peace, civil rights, women’s rights or the environment. There were many of that time that were…my favorites being the Peace Corp, Martin Luther’s peace marchers and the house wives asking for equal rights without the free love.
Majority (not all) of the hippies were spoiled 17-25 years old trying to break free from the parent and rebel against society. (Don’t trust anyone over 30.) They decided that their battles cries of ‘If it feels good do it!’ and ‘Free love’ were what really would change the world. The term ‘Dirty Hippie’ had very little to do with their values but more to do with their body odor. Free love had little to do with ‘teaching the world to sing in perfect…’. But instead ‘doing it’ with anyone available! (Great time for ugly people)
What does this lead to…men with 12+ children…women with no means to support them! Cause hey it don’t feel good to raise a child, just making them! I have at least 5 siblings from three mothers who spent to much time in the Hait\Asbury district. Opening up your mind with LSD and herion…well we know what that led to. It killed their very best.
Their children were raised with no rules and now are raising their kids with too many (helicopter parents). Someone had to be the adult and it should have been the adult!
This was written by another ACH (Adult Child of a Hippie) “So this is a cautionary tale. Go ahead, eat carob. Weave your own dashiki. Get off the grid. Open your mind to new experiences. But when your microbus pulls into the festival lot, don't drop acid and ditch your daughter at the child-care tipi. Sometimes your mind can be so open, your brain falls out.”
No I am not a hippie…and proud of it!
Hippies were not concerned with world peace, civil rights, women’s rights or the environment. There were many of that time that were…my favorites being the Peace Corp, Martin Luther’s peace marchers and the house wives asking for equal rights without the free love.
Majority (not all) of the hippies were spoiled 17-25 years old trying to break free from the parent and rebel against society. (Don’t trust anyone over 30.) They decided that their battles cries of ‘If it feels good do it!’ and ‘Free love’ were what really would change the world. The term ‘Dirty Hippie’ had very little to do with their values but more to do with their body odor. Free love had little to do with ‘teaching the world to sing in perfect…’. But instead ‘doing it’ with anyone available! (Great time for ugly people)
What does this lead to…men with 12+ children…women with no means to support them! Cause hey it don’t feel good to raise a child, just making them! I have at least 5 siblings from three mothers who spent to much time in the Hait\Asbury district. Opening up your mind with LSD and herion…well we know what that led to. It killed their very best.
Their children were raised with no rules and now are raising their kids with too many (helicopter parents). Someone had to be the adult and it should have been the adult!
This was written by another ACH (Adult Child of a Hippie) “So this is a cautionary tale. Go ahead, eat carob. Weave your own dashiki. Get off the grid. Open your mind to new experiences. But when your microbus pulls into the festival lot, don't drop acid and ditch your daughter at the child-care tipi. Sometimes your mind can be so open, your brain falls out.”
No I am not a hippie…and proud of it!
Unfortunately Dawn, you were on the down side of a generation that really cared. We marched, rebelled and yes some dropped acid. It was a crazy time when we were aware that life could not continue as it was. it was time to change the status quo. No life is perfect and just because your father was bipolar and irresponsible, is not a reason to decry something you don't understand. Not all "Hippies" wore strange clothes and lived in Ca. It was a mind set. A rethinking of old values and a total disregard for the moral values of my parents generation. But the pendulum that swings totally left, eventually ends up in the middle. Instead of eschewing what is wrong with this world and moving forward, even we have succumbed to a society that is teetering on the edge. We knew it then and we certainly know it now. This is only the beginning. I was so hoping my dreams were just nightmares, but they are proving true. I have been fighting all of this for so long, but many of our children just like you don't care. Hippies, the great sea of unwashed humanity, did more to turn the tide than any other civil unity in our nations history. It was a global movement, it even spanned the economic divide. I'm sorry that your dad wasn't a dad. I'm sorry that you feel deprived. But the world is moving faster than most people even realize and tomorrow will be too late. I only hope that I make it into my new home before the S--t hits the proverbial fan. Being responsible also means caring for something other than yourself. Yes, I'm going off the grid, and yes i eat carob. I didn't ditch my children. Don't judge something you don't understand.
ReplyDeleteJust a post note. This old hippie loves you and supported you and yours for a very long time. So remember that all things are not created equal. Marches and Dr. King aside ( and yes, I was involved with that too ) It's the greed and power issues that we were rallying against then and it's still the same story today. I envy the artists that can live on society's edge. They are God's chosen. To be free of societal moors , free to pursue their gifts, without the anguish of moral judgement. Responsibility is a choice, even you know that it really has nothing to do with the peace movement. And as a final note. Some of the finest activists of my youth, were musicians. At least they stood up for what they believed in.
ReplyDeleteFirst let me say I am sorry the first paragraph was poorly writen...let me please make it clearer.
ReplyDeleteHippies…? Espousing views of peace and love? Being on the tail end of the Baby Boomer’s I have had a small glance at this generation that ‘changed the world’. The youth of the 60’s did change their world…they changed the world for everyone…they changed it for the better. But it wasn’t the Hippies! If you look at my music collection or peek in my closet you might just think I am an old hippie too! But I have very little respect or admiration for the “Hippie” movement. (music and clothes are great though)
DestinyGrace wrote "Responsibility is a choice, even you know that it really has nothing to do with the peace movement."
Yes..EVEN I know.
But my essay had nothing to do with peace or war or anyother belief from that time or now, It is about attributing those beliefs and actions to the Hippies. This was a name penned for a sub culture of the 60's I don't respect and a word I won't use to decribe myself, no matter what I believe.