In todays society, do you think a "summer of love"/ hippie movement would have any impact against the war/gov?

Question

What impact to you think it would have, if any? Would you participate in the hippie movement today?

Answer 1

You pose an interesting question, and I'm probably the wrong person to answer.

I was not in San Francisco in 1967, but I was very involved in it's resultant aftermath.

In my opinion, "The Summer of Love," did little more than bring the hippie movement/lifestyle to the public forefront.

These were people that in their own vernacular, "turned on, and tuned out." They were disatisfied with the typical goals of a capitalist society, disillusioned with our government and for the most part, said "screw it!"

Now along with this, I have to admit that there were also hangers on, lazy people, and with all the drugs, many did simply become debris, so to speak. They all weren't unsatisfied Harvard Professors.

But that was 1967. There had been race Riots in Watts (1965), and in Detroit and Newark (1967), It seemed at the time that Civil Rights had stalled. Kennedy was assasinated in 63, and Malcolm X was assassaniated in 1965. And then there was the war in Viet Nam.

America just didn't seem like a nice place, for many, at the time.

Then in 1968, the peace loving hippies became very angry.

There was the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam, both Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were both assassinated, and there were rumblings about bombing North Vietnam, Nixon was Running for office, and with President Johnson was people were learning the truth about the Gulf of Tonkin.

The youth of this country finally had enough of the lies, the deceit, and the killing.

I believe that it was the youth of this country that ultimately eneded a bad war, got rid of nixon, and changed politics in this country.

I am telling this to you because there was a process, or a series of events that occured to change what the summer of love represented into a force that impacted change in this country.

As an aside, I have an upper and a lower partial that replaces 11 teeth, as a result of a Michigan State Trooper's riot stick.. dating back to a 1970 anti-war protest in Lansing (Michigan State Capitol). But I certainly faired better than a couple students at Kent State in Ohio...

I have my own emotional arguements as to what's going on today. Personally I think the kids today are more concerned about their "damn" Ipods and video games, than the fact that our boys are dying in an illegal war. We also have a president that seems hell bent on turning back the freedoms our forefathers put forth, and making the presidency more like a dictatorship akin to some banana republic --But then that's my opinion...

Where is the outrage? Where are the protests? You can't possibly tell me that the youth today are happy with what's going on? Or are they all latent or "in the closet" republicans that are only concerned about their grade points and increasing tuition at Harvard?

You ask, "What impact do you think it would have, if any?

I can't see it happening in the first place. Who would be the leaders? Where are the Ginsberg's, the Chicago Sevens?

But more importantly, the people still run this country, despite what some politicians think! It won't be easy, and it will take some time, but we showed that people can change things. If you become angry enough, you can do it, too.

Would I participate?

Certainly! It helps if there's some "old" people in this too. That way the public perception won't be that it's just a bunch of damn kids!

Answer 2

I would love to see another "summer of love"/hippie movement, and I'd participate as much as I can.

And that's the problem, and why it probably won't happen. So many people today just don't have the time or the resources. Many of the hippies of the 60s were people who didn't have other responsibilities, such as jobs or school. People today tend to worry about things like health insurance and 401(k) plans.

That's why we're more likely to blog and donate to organizations than we are to riot in the streets.

That said, I want to participate in a demonstration some time before I leave this life. Preferably something to do with women's rights, but I'll support something else related to social justice.

Answer 3

Honestly, most grass roots movements dont impact wars and or goverments. A modern hippie movement.. Depending on what it was like I might participate.

Answer 4

O yeah. A lot of people are already against the war and if we all just have one big movement I strongly believe things would change for the better.
I sooo would join

Answer 5

Maybe.I am sure Osama and all his radical buddies would love it though.And no,I would not because I do not believe that radical murderous terrorists can be reasoned with.I am not for war,nobody should be but this is not the 60's and this is a war against an enemy who knows no honor and wants to throw the world back hundreds of years.We are fighting for our way of life and I for one do not wish to live under the iron fist of some radical mullah!!!!!!

Answer 6

No. The summer of love is best left in the past.

Answer 7

This President would ignore the protest just like Nixon did. Funny they are both corrupt liars too!

Answer 8

probably not have much with bush in control. i was part of the summer of love. it was a gas. free love.... wow. brings back a lot of memories. particpate? oh yeah. no question about that. peace, man!!!

Answer 9

Probably not. The protesting would just get shot down.

Answer 10

nope