EXPERIENCE HISTORY-PROVEN
POSITIVE ’60s (& ’70s) COUNTER-CULTURE BENEFITS!
This site is meant to celebrate and shed truthful insight on life in the ’60s and ’70s from 00individual’s specific and selective slice of H-SAM details of life during that culturally-historic era.
Archived for those who either wish to have been a part of the most intensely important cultural movement in history, or for those who were, he uses Historic and Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll albums, concerts and events as time stamps; integral chronological keys to unlock those decades’ historic events.
Personal first-hand experience is essential to speak on any subject intelligently and knowledgeably. Without it you are being told a tale by people with an ulterior agenda, or worse, information based on ignorance.
00individual speaks Tribal Truth. He experienced the ’60s and ’70s personally as part of the Counter-Culture during his late teens and early twenties and felt the actual outpouring of love throughout his generation that resulted in an unspoken brotherhood and spiritual gathering of their Tribe.
Marijuana’s “truth” broke down egos and with that individuals lived a truer reality while expanding their consciousness in many ways. It was a rare time.
Under this climate they experienced many changes very quickly as they attempted to change their world. All the while the establishment continued to wage a war against their advancements.
Deep down they knew they couldn’t win them all, but they did know that they were winning – to quote Hunter S. Thompson; “… that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of Old and Evil. Not in any mean or military sense; we didn’t need that. Our energy would simply prevail.” … and in many ways it did.
Why should everyone with an independent mind be grateful and thankful to the Hippies and the Counter-Culture?
It’s simple, and here’s the analogy; the post-war baby boom generation’s familys’ first-born, whether a boy or a girl, had to “break in” their parents in regard to everything.
00 was the first-born in his family so he knows of what he speaks. New parents, trying to do the right thing, allowed society to rule the family as “keeping up with the Joneses” encompassed maintenance of the morals and standards of unquestioned tradition.
Societal restrictions were in full force with the traditional classics, “Children should be seen and not heard.” and “Children should not speak unless spoken to.”
But when a second child was born, the restrictions were much more lenient. By the time the third child was born, many exhausted parents eased-up on these social traditions to the point of “for appearances only”.
So, …
consider the Hippies of the Counter-Culture as your “older brother or sister” who “broke in” society so that you could have the advantage of being the “second and third child” with the ability of living in an age of relaxed social restrictions and with the gift of real freedom to express your individuality!
If …
the Hippies had not “broke down” all of your parent’s parent’s parent’s archaic traditions and the ridiculous militarized values of society, you would still be conforming; boot-strapped to a non-questioning life in a society where individuals with their own ideas and beliefs would be considered outlaws – – like the counter-culture and individuals were.
For 00individual, and a whole generation, the most empowering two words were on a bumper sticker; “Question Authority”.
This was something that no generation in history had attempted to do, united, sincerely, and with conviction. These two words literally ignited positive change in society that continues to this day!
For those who feel the need to complain about “fallout” from the Hippies and the Counter Culture, know this; to blame any previous generation for one’s “problems” is just lazy.
Not happy? Wake up, Sunshine, and do something about it! This is your shot, your life, your own reality show – at least put forth an effort and enjoy it while you can.
In the meantime, show some class, be smart, don’t dis the Hippie; celebrate the Hippie, honor the Hippie; he and she were the founding fathers and mothers of a brave new world where their children could have the advantage of a free mind to express themselves without traditional restrictions.
Remember, the counterculture represented less than 10% of the population of the U.S. and was less than 1% of the 76 million Baby Boomers. The counterculture itself was influential but not enough to cause a sea change in finance, politics, and personal habits. Uninformed voters, the media, corporatism, institutional corruption, special interest influences and corrupt politicians shoulder the blame for most of the country’s ills.
Were the visions, movements and causes of the Counter-Culture successful?
As the following list will show, that would be a resounding, “Yes!” Hippies had so many positive ideas to explore that it was imperative for them to try. As with any honest endeavors; some fail, some succeed, but in any case valuable lessons were learned in the process and progress was made- history has proven this fact.
History also notes that the 1960’s positive “movements” were directly responsible for more lasting and beneficial advancements “For the People” than any generation before or since.
Within the list below any collateral damage was minimal and not fatal – excluding the civil rights, free speech and anti-war movements.
Counter-Culture Contributions
Through entrepreneurial acts, the Counter Culture started, or were enthusiastic promoters of:
the Health Food / Natural Food industry, the Self-Realization movement, the Environmental movement, the Recycle industry, the Mind Expansion and Awareness movement, the Self-Help movement, the Spiritual movement, the Anti-Discrimination movement, the Free Draft/Law Counselor movement, the Civil Rights movement, the Womens’ Rights movement, the Anti-War movement, the “Whistle-blower” movement, the Peace and Love movement, the Free Clinic industry, the Homeopathic industry, the Candle/Aromatherapy industry, the Revitalized Art movement, the Revitalized Music industry, the Revitalized Fashion industry, the Revitalized Film industry, the Air/Water Quality Control movement, the Wildlife Preservation movement, the Ecology movement, the Eastern Philosophy movement, the Tolerance movement, the Self-Sufficient Community movement, the Free Speech movement, the Free Press industry, the Underground Radio industry, and the ongoing “Question Authority” movement – just to name those that immediately come to mind.
And finally, that smiling Sunshine Peace logo at the header of this post represents the salutation, “Have a Nice Day!”, but unlike the insincere token term it had become, back then, we meant it.
“Have a Nice Day!”
(JA ON DC 8/69 “WCBT” & “V”: 2 GOOD!)
the next two years the “Surf and Hot Rod/Car Culture” would become an all encompassing vibe that would include fashion, clothing, hair styles, dances, slang, attitude, beach bunnies, Pacific Islander culture, Tiki Gods, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s custom cars and Rat Finks and really fun cool surf music – and would mark my emergence as an official “teenager”!
Here in SoCal – where Dick Dale, Jan and Dean and the Beach Boys lived, recorded and performed – we were fortunate to “live” the culture in our own modest way and actually go to the beach and surf – even if you didn’t have a board, you would body surf! Gnarley!
00INDIVIDUAL 