Defining The Hippie Way Of Life
Chris Channing
It was around 1960 when the hippie movement first became so widespread. The word hippie is derived from the terms hipster and hip. Beatniks who moved into the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco is what the term hipster originally referred to. The hippies set up communities, took part in the sexual revolution, indulged in drugs, and mainly listened to psychedelic rock.
Hippie Appearances
Hippies felt that by choosing their own ways and finding new meanings to life they were freeing themselves from the restrictions of society. One form of independent expression was dressing differently from the societal norms. Hippies saw the way they dressed as a symbol of respect for individual rights, and it made it easier for them to identify each other.
Hippies of both genders commonly wore jeans and had long hair. They generally wore sandals or no shoes at all. The women didn't work much makeup, if any, and the men had beards. Most female hippies also did not wear bras. Hippies wore tie-dyed shirts and Native American inspired clothing. Hippies were known for making their own clothes, but when they didn't they were known for buying clothes at second-hand shops or flea markets.
The Hippie Code Of Transportation
Hippies generally traveled in school busses, VW busses, or they would just hitchhike. Their busses were normally repainted with psychedelic graphics. The hippies liked the busses because it allowed them and large groups of their friends to travel together. The Volkswagen symbol on the VW busses were often changed into peace symbols by hippies. The hippies that hitchhiked liked it because it was a good way to meet new people, it was environmentally friendly, and it was economical.
Hippies were fond of doing drugs. They felt that it allowed a person to enhance their spiritual being. The most common drug used by hippies was cannabis, or marijuana. Eventually hippies started adding hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin to the drugs they did. Hippies even took part in doing amphetamines and opiates. Amphetamines and opiates were often scorned even by those that used them because they felt that they were harmful and addictive.
Hippies were generally pacifists who believed solely in peace. Lots of hippies took part in non-violent political demonstrations. Their non-violent political demonstrations included civil rights marches, draft card burning, protests, and anti-Vietnam War demonstrations. Some hippies were involved in peace demonstrations while others were more active in anti-authority and street theater demonstrations. Political movements carried out by hippies include the back to land movement, alternative energy, free press movement, cooperative business enterprises, and organic farming.
Today there are still a large number of hippies. Protests and anti-war parades are still held by hippies and other people. Hippies still attend and hold festivals, some which have been around since the first hippies originated. The Starwood Festival and the Burning Man festival are two major festivals that have been held since the 1960's and still go on today. Hippie fashion from the 1960's is still being used today. Music created by and listened to by hippies is still popular in today's society. The lifestyle of the hippies is still around to this day and is likely to continue for sometime.
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