to all you 'old hippies' ...

I suppose this is directed to anyone who was alive and was a hippie during the '60s... what do you think of this new generation of neo-hippys? Do you think that they (we?) are all a bunch of posers or what?

 

Most of the Young'uns on this site TODAY, aren't what you & I would call HIPPY.
It's our responsibility to teach them how to be Hippy. IE: How to treat each other no matter Race, Religion, whatever.
I could name a few, but won't.

 

Let me give just ONE example. John Denver. NOBODY on this site would think of HIM as being a Hippy. Right??? WRONG!!!! I'll start with the FACT that many of his songs were about his own life. Rocky Mountain High, being the most famous. THAT was written, while he was camping with some friends during a meteor shower one year.
Poems, Prayers & Promises was written the same way. Only, HE chose not to smoke pot that night. He was a Campion for Nature, and Wildlife. (Starting to sound familiar?)

 

Hi ~C,

I am kind of a young "old hippie". I turn 49 in less than a month and was only 13 years old in 1969. I got involved in all of it too young, though I "kept on keeping on" with it until I was about 25 years old. By "it" I mean the laid-back lifestyle, free love, bucking the "system", the clothes, the music, the drugs (mainly marijuana), rejection of the corporate way of thinking, rejection of my parents' morals, etc.

I don't much like labels, and I don't really even call myself a hippy, other than in fun with much smiling and a bit of a chuckle, and love for the memories of that time in my life. I know that the idea of peace, love, grooving, humanity, caring, nature, nurture, God, are a genuine part of me, they are in my soul and much more who I am than the corporate greed that has infested our country today. I feel genuine pain when I look at what has happened to our country from the point of view of commercialism, acquiring more and more and more, corporate greed.

Back in the 70s, I wore all of the clothes, music, etc. more as a lifestyle, like something I wore to identify myself. Now the concepts of love and treating others the way I would like to be treated have permeated me, and I actually feel something about the dictomy between human love and caring and human greed and selfishness. I find I don't have to wear certain clothes, listen to certain music, present myself as a certain lifestyle. I can listen to whatever music I want, for example. I am not identified by any way of being outwardly, other than how well I treat another human being.

I just love the colors and thoughts, and images, and ideas from people presented at this forum. That's what attracted me to posting here. Oh, and reminiscing about a time in life that I did really love. It was just tons of fun.

peace,
Savannah

 

John Denver was a republican. So he must of been a conservative hippie....

 

As long as you are into 60's and 70's music and like peace and love and flowers and psychedelia, well..... who cares how old you are?

 

What I have found in life experience as a bona-fided Haight Street Hippie is : We, the old hippies were birthed by the Beat Generation. I'm speaking of the ones that started out as Beat at a young age evolved into a slightly different expression. Where the Beats were the thinkers and used their intelect to challange popular opinon, we younger beats took it to a higher level and was motavated in the Doing and bringing forth the change. As the Beats grew old and became less and less, moving on to new levels of being HIP we that were coming up behind them were reffered to as hippies as in little hip ones.
What evolves from us is now being manifested in the younger ones and they will take it further as they experience the truths they will soon learn on their journeys. With what we learened from the Beats and what we discovered ourselves opens a window of learning for the ones that are to follow. What they learn will be added to what we already know and so the circle of life continues and grows. Blessed Be

 

I agree with what Savannah and Shameless had to say. I think that some of the younger people think that if you dress a certain way, act a certain way, then you are a hippie. To me it is not about how you look, but what is inside. We are all a rainbow of colors, ideas, lifestyles, etc. But what it boils down to for me is walking lightly on the earth, being spiritual, rejecting the corporate mentality of success and money at any cost, being more concerned about your fellow man than getting ahead. Being tolerant and respecting others ideas is also important to me, you don't have to agree with it, but I do think it is important to listen.

 

I was not a 60's hippie and don't pretend to be one (more 70's just because of my age) but in watching today's neo-hippies, I see a lot a posers who are just into the party, but I see a lot of true spirit too in some young people. Just to be aware of the world and its injustices is a good start, and to be willing to be free thinking and open minded. And to be willing to take action to make a difference in the world and try to change negativity into positivity (did any of that make sense? somehow I feel like I'm blathering like an old fool)

Very good subject to bring up. But you know, some things don't change much over the years, like human nature. There will always be posers and then there are people who are true to the values of the greater good.

 

When I see you newbie hippies my heart is joyful.
I feel grateful that you are here to bless the earth.
That you are non-conservative.
That you value uniqueness and independence.
That you don't think along the lines everyone else has been programmed to think.
I think you must be very strong spirits to keep hold of the values of peace, love, respect for the earth and harmony between all people, and to realise it is worthwhile to try to emulate what we did way back when...
I only hope and pray that you all have the courage to stand up and fight for what you believe. It isn't about numbers, it isn't even about winning...it is about integrity, passion and soul. Bless you all...I love you all.

 

He was anti-arms race and, I think, pro-environment and expressed it in his last RCA album which resulted in him getting dropped from RCA.

 

Well, I was 21 during most of 1969. I was a hippie of the '60s (and I think I am still). Please allow me to pass on to those not there, and remind those who were, there were a lot of poseurs then too.
There are also country music fan poseurs, Wall Street poseurs, and everything else poseurs. Wanting to be accepted into a group is part of the nature of humans. Being un-sure of oneself and therefore trying various things (lifestyles), as part of "finding yourself", is fairly common too.
I try to not come down too hard on poseurs (or anyone else). Besides, you know what they say, "Imitation is a form of flattery".

I fully agree with Matt about John Denver. I'd been a fan of his for a while. then saw him in concert. Wonderful songs, beautifully done.

Calypso by John Denver
​

To sail on a dream on a crystal clear ocean
To ride on the crest of a wild raging storm
To work in the service of life and living
In search of the answers of questions unknown
To be part of the movement and part of the growing
Part of beginning to understand

Aye, Calypso the places you've been to
The things that you've shown us, the stories you tell
Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit
The men who have served you so long and so well

Like the dolphin who guides you, you bring us beside you
To light up the darkness and show us the way
For though we are strangers in your silent world
To live on the land we must learn from the sea
To be true as the tide and free as a wind swell
Joyful and loving in letting it be
​

I also agree with the beautiful thoughts expressed by Savannah, Shameless, Ceres, Mimosa, and Goddess Om.

Peace,
poor_old_dad

 

Amen!

 

Poor old Dad, you are a good dude and a half! Nicely said.

There is something about a hippy looking chick that places her above any city girl in designer heels and outift, IMO. It is probably a combination of looks, but also attitude.....it does tend to emanate from people. It's a cool and lovely vibe.

 

I thank you kindly.

Peace,
poor_old_dad

 

I don't believe you could ever be a "poser" if you are living what you truely are.

What was said about "clothes" and "possessions" earlier in the thread is so true in my book.
"Things" can never make you more or less, they can only get in the way if you worship them, or put them before your true self.
Never be afraid to be YOU....that would be a waste of time.

Your true self is in there...just waiting for the rest of you to catch up.

I was 12 in 1969....a flower child who ran away to Earth Peoples Park...and now I live as much the same way as I can.
Comfortable to me....baby, its ALL about COMFORT.

 

I can't begin to name all those who wrote such poignant and wise posts - so I'll first say, Bless you! and add that - I can only hope that there are those we can "pass the torch" on to. To think that "hippie" values and culture do not die with us "old hippies" is a joy and a relief to me!!! I thank anyone - young or old - who believe in what many of us from the good ole sixties did as well and are strong enough to live it. And one more thing - maybe "poseurs" will grow to be the "real thing" as they pose?! Ain't that a happy thought?

 

IHello I get a lot of joy strolling the forums and meeting new people and the way they think.
I like the ideas that I see. As far as the question of young and old hippies. I always saw the hippies sort of the best example of people to associate myself with. If we are to follow fads cause it makes us feel closer and stronger then let it be about love and peace about open mindness and tolerance. About ideals rather than cars and shopping marts and credit cards.
I want a revolution. A democratic revolution. I don't care if your following the greatfull dead physh or Starhauk. AS long as you bring the revolution.
Love you all...

 

Papillon, I love the picture. Looks like the hippy version of "Friends".

 

I love you all (even most of the trolls!)