Understanding the Hippie Movement of the 60s

A pointed look at a curvy world

The 1960s was a revolutionary time, an era of social revolution and progressive views that left a lasting impression¹. The hippie movement, a counterculture that emerged during this time, rejected social norms and traditional ways of previous decades².

In the midst of this social and cultural upheaval, we, the hippies of the sixties, harbored a fervent desire to change the world.

by David Stone

Hippies: A Concrete Resolve

Our ambition was not just a naïve youthful aspiration or a dreamy ideal. It was a concrete resolve, a commitment that stemmed from our discontent with the status quo¹. We were disillusioned by the societal structures and systems that we felt were oppressive and unjust, and so we sought to challenge and transform them³.

We were often misunderstood and stigmatized, seen as a group of political radicals who were aggressive and sometimes violent⁴. However, aggression for us did not mean violence. It was more about being assertive, about making our voices heard and standing up against the injustices we perceived.

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One of the most significant aspects of our movement was our emphasis on love, peace, and freedom⁵. We celebrated existence and were grateful for our situation⁶. We believed in the power of individuals and communities to effect meaningful change, and we worked tirelessly towards creating a more inclusive and equitable world⁷.

Changing the World

Despite the many challenges we faced, we remained steadfast in our mission. We were truly worried about the world and what was happening to it⁷. The pro-environment movement, including the establishment of Earth Day in 1970, was one of the proud legacies of the hippie culture⁵.

Looking back, it is clear that we did not just passively exist as a counterculture. We actively shaped the culture and society around us⁸. Today, it might be said that we won the culture war⁸⁷. From challenging societal norms to advocating for peace, love, and environmental sustainability, we have left an indelible mark on history⁵.

In conclusion, when we were hippies in the Sixties, we didn’t just want to change the world. We set out to do it aggressively, passionately, and relentlessly. And in many ways, we did.

Some Notes

1. Living it up in the ’60s – how Gen Z revived hippie culture ↩ ↩²
   
2. The Counterculture Hippie Movement of the 1960s and … ↩
   
3. Counterculture of the 1960s ↩
   
4. Love Or Hate Hippies From The 1960s Here Is The … – YouTube ↩ ↩²
   
5. Hippies’ proud legacy: peace, love, activism ↩ ↩² ↩³
   
6. The Appeal of Living a 1960s Hippie Life | by Ethan Chua ↩
   
7. Hippies Won the Culture War : r/history ↩ ↩² ↩³
   
8. Hippies Won the Culture War ↩ ↩²