The Hippie Heritage

Driving to work today, I was listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young singing “Four Dead in Ohio.” Those events of 4th May, 1970 came back to me instantly. I was in my last year of Naval Service, and on a Trade Course at Fleet Communication School in HMCS Stadacona. I watched the newsreel that evening, and was unable to understand how a nation could send armed soldiers against demonstrating students, killing four of them at Kent State University.

Since then, of course, the Hippie movement has faded from popular view, leaving only echoes of a popular philosophy that, in its’ heyday, seemed destined to change the world for the better. Some subscribers to the original philosophy, myself included, continue to believe that the world would be a better place if love and peace, rather than buy and acquire, were to become the leitmotif of a new Renaissance, in which the corporate bottom line would be reinvested in improving the world for all of us, in which we, the citizens, would respect the rights and differences of others, and condemn those who act to destroy a peaceful and caring environment.

Part of the Hippie Manifesto included, but was not restricted to, the following:
Rejection of established institutions, and the fact that such established institutions were not to be questioned, nor changed
Criticism of middle class values as sole arbiters of a moral and societal norm
Opposition to nuclear weapons and war in general
Consideration of various aspects of Eastern religions, and movement away from Judeo-Christian religions
Championing of sexual liberation and the responsibilities that such liberation entails
Founding of “intentional communities” and cooperatives
The wearing of non-traditional dress, especially ethnic, native-American, clothing and natural beads, bright colours, and tie-died Tee shirts
Espousing the use of natural psychedelic drugs (entheogens) such as marijuana, peyote, psilocybin, mescaline and LSD, in their search for universal understanding and fulfillment

After the debacle at Altamont, and because of the introduction of addictive drugs into an increasingly commercial (and outlaw) drug market, and an increase in enforcement violence and social wariness of the movement’s adherents (thanks, in part, to the likes of Charles Manson), true believers went underground. Various incarnations appear today, but they lack the sincerity of the originals, and are often mistaken for New Agers. Many have embraced their inner Boomers, say “thank you, sir” to the Man, and recycle only spasmodically.

Other than having formed my present persona in no small way, the Hippies have left us the following gifts that have, indeed, contributed to making our world a better place in which to live.

An awareness of other religions and cultures, and the fact that they have as much to offer as the Judeo-Christianity Western society.
Popularisation of a vegetarian lifestyle.
The belief that the Corporate Establishment is abusing Mother Earth, has brought about renewed interest in recycling and other environmental issues.
Interest in organic foods.
A mellow outlook on life, together with the belief that the temporal world is a manifestation of human thought and consciousness.
Elements of Romanticism and Transcendentalist philosophies have become more mainstream.
Less competitive forms of exercise have become popular such as hacky sack, Frisbee, dancing, surfing, and spin-sticks.
Mixed race relationships are completely accepted by mainstream society.
Female equality is well on the way to becoming a reality.
Increased interest in natural childbirth, breastfeeding, and raising children more lovingly and peacefully, and an ascendancy of the idea of the importance of the individual, and individuality.
Alternative media, including music, poetry, neo-comix, newspapers, art films, etc.
Open discussion of sexual matters in public media.
Acceptance of alternative lifestyles (gay, lesbian, transsexual).
A wide range of personal appearance options and clothing styles have become acceptable, all of which were uncommon before the hippie era.
Co-operative business enterprises and creative community living arrangements are widely accepted.
Interest in natural food, herbal remedies and vitamins is widespread.

As Jim Morrison is supposed to have said, “It ain’t the destination, man. It’s the trip.”