Hippie Movement example essay topic

Social Change Counter-culture movement Part #1 This social / cultural movement occurred during the late 60's and the early 70's. People that participated where mostly white middle-class students which were referred to as Hippies. Many of them believed in the New Left Movement whose concern was that the American society with its materialism, technology and war had grown hollow and that something ought to be down against that. Hippies fought for the abolishment of every hierarchy, so that people wouldn't be judged according to their race, gender, religion or social class. Counter-culture movement participants protested against the society by simply leaving it and creating their own, perfect in their eyes, little world. People left worlds of school, work or home to live together in streets, parks or group homes with the goal to create an idyllic setting of peace love and harmony.

Hippies lived in rural communes or in more crowded areas known as "crash pads". Major centers of gathering established in Chicago's Old Town, in Atlanta's 14th Street, In New York Cities Greenwich Village and, what was the informal capital and cradle of that movement, San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury. Hippies wanted a society that was based on love, trust and tolerance. Therefore, they couldn't accept the war in Vietnam during that time period and a lot of them took part in several peace demonstrations. The Hippie era was accompanied by many motto's like " Killing for peace is like fucking for chastity" or "Tune in, turn on, drop out" which found their origin in the opposition to the ongoing war and their attitude toward life in general. In order to accomplish their intends of world peace and love, they turned to Rock'n'Roll music, colorful clothing and appearance, the liberal use of "soft" drugs like marijuana and LSD (also known as acid) and the practice of free love, what often meant everybody with everybody.

Somebody ones described the situation with " If you can REMEMBER the 60's, you haven't REALLY been there". Hippies were also highly influenced by the beat movement of the 1950's which influenced the musical movement and brought out idols like Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Janis Joplin and the Beatles. The probably best known meeting of such stars was the largest festival of that time: "Woodstock Music and Art Fair, an Aquarian Exposition". The festival that is commonly know as just plain "Woodstock" attracted 400 000 followers.

Music idols of that time and the Hippie life style were marked by an out standing clothing style. People wore ragged jeans, Tie-dyed shirts, surplus military garments and enriched their outfits with beats and Native American ornaments. Growing a beard at the male side and long hair for both genders was a point-setting statement, too, which was supported by the general "do your own thing" approach. A popular symbol that couldn't miss was the well-know "peace" symbol which had it's origin in the Navy where it symbolized the letters N and D which stood for "Nuclear Disarmament". Hippies also experimented with different religions that mostly came from the southeastern areas of this world like Zen Buddhism. That religion stated that mediation, self contemplation and intuition where the key to enlightenment.

Because many Hippies practiced meditation, other unusual religious procedures and listened to Indian Yogis and Gurus, 1968 was declared the "Year of the Guru". ! 968 was also the climax of the whole movement and people remember it as the "Summer of Love". A strong contribution to the whole situation had the legality of marijuana in 14 states during the Carter-Administration.

However, the downfall of the culture was predetermined. Everything turned negative when the communes turned seedy and dangerous and became a Mecca for muggers, drug dealers a runaways. Signs of the downfall where deaths of popular persons as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin in 1970 who both died of an drug overdoses. Another shocking event was the murder on the actress Sharon Tate and on an attendant of a Rolling Stones concert by Hippie groups.

People of the Counter-coulter discovered that they weren't able to live without the conventional society and found themselves collecting welfare and food stamps from the first despised government. People saw that movement as a resort to paradise on earth. They wanted to escape the dissatisfactory American society which they found cold and cruel. Hippies wanted to get out of a the politically hardened, one-sided prosperity-orientated society. They felt caught in a society which glorified war (Vietnam) and profit. War, especially, was seen as a symbol of unjustified violence.

Hippies, therefore, built there own world to break out off reality (Jim Morrison: "The most important kind of freedom is to be the one you really are. Sometimes you play a role in reality... then, you give up the ability to feel and put on a mask". ). The government opposed those changes completely and referred to them as "revolutionary terrorism" which reflected a thread to law and order on campuses and cities. Hippies also presented a danger to traditional values, in their opinion, and would lead to America's plunge into anarchy and lawlessness. The conservatives attacked the cultural movement as well.

They especially disliked the decadent values (such as free love and the extensive use of drugs) and were of the opinion that youths abandoned rational thoughts for uninhibited self-expression. Many mainstream Americans also came with the argument that Hippies abused the governmental social program by collecting welfare. However, politics did influence the hippies' behavior and their actions in general. The Hippie-movement, however, left a big imprint on the society all over the world. It brought changes to our daily life that we often don't connect to that time period. Major changes came with the rise of popular (pop) art.

Artists like Andy Warhol wanted to bring the new art into the mainstream, what he successfully did with his picture of Marilyn Monroe for example. The Hippie culture lived on in the way people dressed and groomed. Longer hair, more colorful clothing, blue jeans are normal to one's eye today, but found their origin on the 60s/70's. Probably the most essential change was the establishment of Rock'n'Roll.

People still listen to "The Beatles", "Joe Cocker" and other musicians from that time. Their words made people think and created a link through which they all were and still are connected. Hippies also contributed to the strengthening of individual behavior. The "do your own thing" attitude and the openness towards sexual behavior is integrated into society and also led to the sexual revolution a few years later. Politically, Hippies didn't move a lot. Sure, they demonstrated a lot, but the government didn't value their opinion very much and more than anything tried to keep them under control.

I think that changes the Hippie-movement brought, are indispensable. People realized that they had the opportunity to live the way they thought would be right. They were given the chance to experiment with extremes and also found out how they would affect each one of them. Learning about that time gives each individual, today, the possibility to form their own opinion about different life styles. The cultural changes Hippies brought are great.

The music, art and fashion is unique and expresses happiness in an unrestricted way. That, I think, is very important in our restless society in which we often don't take the time to simply be free, happy and love. Part #2 The Homosexual movement The gay / lesbian movement has been going on for quite a while and basically is an extension of the sexual revolution of the 70's. Homosexuals in the movement appeal for compassion and the extension of civil rights to minorities, since that is as what they see themselves at the moment.

However, the intention of the participants is split. Some have quite revolutionary ideas and want to create a major subculture. They are open about their sexual orientation and show that in public. The other side is more reserved about their wishes. They don't go as far as wanting their life style to be tolerated, but a simple affirmation and letting them live their life in peace without any assaults is plenty for them. Both groups, though, have the same drive.

They simply want to be accepted and recognized as a normal part of society. They already did a good piece of the work. Influential homosexual persons have been established in decision-making positions. One example would be the major of Germany's capital, Berlin.

Klaus Wowereit admitted during his election campaign that he is gay and got elected anyway. That was a main step toward the integration of homosexuals. All over the U.S. and in western Europe, cultural homosexual organizations have established, such as the Gay Theater Association, a homosexual teacher association and several college and university faculty groups. All of them have the goal to communicate that being gay or lesbian is simply a different life style and try to overcome the boundaries that are set by conservative social believes and religion.

They work on overcoming the traditional understanding of family and marriage and use as an argument the high rate in divorces which also isn't intended in the Christian religion. In order to inform people about the homosexuality many educational programs have been established all over the U.S... Education starts as early as in Elementary school, continues through high school and there are even seminars offered to adults. That is supposed to mainstream the idea of homosexuality, although some extreme movement participants would like to make that process quicker and declare it as a cultural and political revolution. A big influence on the success of the homosexual establishment in society has the humanist movement which helped usher in political correctness, the acceptance of cultural diversity and, a very important part, the acceptance and appearance in the media-talk shows, sit comps and soap operas. One popular example would be the daily show "Will&Grace" which features the live of two highly successful gay men in the heart of New York City.

Homosexuals also go out into public with street parades like the "Love Parade" in Berlin which attracts about 1.5 million people each year and the "Christopher Street day" which has its origin in London. Those parades pull along homosexual education which is fully the intend of the movement participants. The reason for the up-coming of that movement are easy to see. Sexual identity is in a crises throughout the U.S. A complete cosmology has to be invented to grasp the situation.

Gays and Lesbians in the U.S. want equality to heterosexual oriented people. They want their way of life to be considered as normal as every body else's. Being "different" doesn't mean you are ill or possessed by a bad spirit as many people still think. Getting that idea out of everybody's mind in introducing justice, tolerance and respect are the main forces of the movement.

Another component is the intent to change the church's attitude toward the issue, because may homosexuals do got to church, but lack support there. That the integration of homosexuals as a normal part of the society works, can be seen in the approach other countries and their governments take. In many western European countries like the Netherlands, France and Germany, gay and lesbian marriage is legal and almost fully accepted. they are given the same rights as conventional couples and are therefore allowed to collect financial benefits and everything else that is connected with such a commitment. At the moment, homosexual marriage is not recognized in the U.S. and that also is an issue the movement is working on. However, the government is getting more and more liberal towards the requests and the state court of Vermont even assured homosexual couples rights that are similar to the ones guaranteed by getting a marriage license. The movement is in the middle of it's work right now and I think it will take a couple more years in order to accomplish full equality between homo and heterosexuals in society, politics and business.

But once it is done, the world will be one step closer to greater acceptance of differences and integration. People will be less prejudiced and life for members of that allegedly minority group (almost 10% of the population world wide is supposed to be homosexual) will have it a lot easier in their lives. Being homosexual at the moment still sets limits, especially in the way they express their orientation. I think that movement shows a lot of curacy and the step out into society with a theme that involves issues as "touchy" as sexual behavior is quite a risk. I fancy the people who speak up for what they believe in and their rights as human beings that simply have a different life style that, as some scientists recently found out, is partially predetermined by genes. The appearance of different ways of life, such as the homosexual one, in the media, is a huge step forward.

The media influences the public's opinion in a not to underestimating way. Bringing gay or lesbian people into political positions or just any that that are influential will promote the homosexual image positively. It will show that they have the same abilities as "normal people" and that there's no reason to treat them differently.