The world needs hippies now more than at ever. At first, this request may seem silly, but the good news is that we can all find the hip lifestyle to be easy, fun, and socially responsible. Keep reading and learn the facts about the high times that some of us were fortunate to share in the 60’s and what it means for today.
The world needs hippies now more than at ever. At first, this request may seem silly, but the good news is that we can all find the hip lifestyle to be easy, fun, and socially responsible. Keep reading and learn the facts about the high times that some of us were fortunate to share in the 60’s and what it means for today.
 Similarities between modern times and the sixties are alarming. The US is again waging an unpopular war. Our natural environment is more threatened than ever. People are losing jobs and suffering economically, all because a small group of rich Republicans has once again taken control of our government.
For solutions to many current problems, we need only look back forty years to the flowering of our hippy counterculture. Hippies were the vanguard of a cultural and intellectual revolution that questioned many of the beliefs and behaviors now recognized as self-destructive (including war, consumerism, and environmental pollution.) In order to regain control of our own lives and revitalize the world, we need only reflect on the ideals established by our hip brothers and sisters.
Many aspects of hip lifestyle and philosophy have been assimilated into mainstream culture, such as natural foods, herbal medicines, and ecological stewardship. Hippies’ spiritual beliefs were derived from Eastern traditions and the New thought religions. These continue to win converts (as the old fundamentalist religions crumble from moral decay, fear and out-dated beliefs).
The musical and artistic contributions from the sixties are still going strong today. In fact, many young people are interested in learning about this period of history. This is clear on college campuses and in the media. Hippies were also likely to favor natural ways to expand our consciousness. For decades since, there have been widespread movements to finally legalize cannabis for its medical, recreational, and industrial benefits.
Hippies began to realize that we could no longer rely on the establishment for safety and happiness. We felt our goal should be to become self-sufficient and reach out to like-minded people. We also deserve to be happy and have fun. The world would be a more secure place if hippy dreams and goals had not been crushed by Nixon and the rest of his gang. Young people need to join with their parents and resurrect healthier ideals and dreams.
It is time to clear the air about the hippies. Right-wing fundamentalists have tried to portray us as lazy, dirty, and strung-out on drugs. The moral ideologues would also like to blame all of today’s social problems on the wrong people. Even if such portrayals were true (and they aren’t); that would miss the positive lessons that hippies have left us. I aim to clear up some myths about how hippies approached sex, drugs, and other parts of life. You will see that hippy lifestyles seem mild by today’s standards.
The hippy counterculture thrived on the edge of the mainstream culture. We were not self-sufficient but aspired to be. Many wanted to drop out and live away from excess commercial culture. We were the first generation to develop such a strong youth culture. I hope what I have learned in my experiences will inspire other former hippies to become active again. Young people need to pick up the action from where we left off. You will be happy and fulfilled if you can turn on to life, tune in to the wonders around you, and drop out of the modern rat race.
Just like in 1970, the world is once again in the grip of a radical right-wing Republican regime. Today, many more people should be protesting the direction our country is being taken; instead, they are isolated and alienated, striving to conform with an increasingly strict set of conservative social norms. Most Americans are no longer politically involved, so the dialogue had become narrowly constrained by the power elite.
Although the mainstream media would have you believe that the hippies were only a passing fad, there are some important lessons for the present and future. In fact, young people today will be able to use current communication technology to organize themselves. I will provide you with all the tools you need to become a highly happy 21st Century Hippie.
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