The cultural movement during the 1960s was lead by a group of young independent thinking individuals known as hippies. This group stemmed for a revolt against the current government at the time. Generally speaking, the hippies believed in liberalism. They were against the war in Vietnam, in favor of civil rights and many indulged in frequent drug use. Today’s modern hippy would be better classified as liberalists. Many of today’s youth are against the war in Iraq, in favor of civil rights and it seems as though the drug epidemic has only gotten worse. In comparison, both groups are supporters and advocates for similar actions. The only difference is the time in which they live.
- The hippy movement of the 1960s first became popular in San Francisco, CA and Greenwich Village in New York City, but soon spread throughout the country. Hippies believed in liberalismliberalism were a powerful voice in the civil rights movement and may have had influence on the time in which these laws were changed. The liberalists of the 1960s used drugs more than any other American culture before it. They believed that LSD and marijuana would open people’s minds and make the world a more peaceful place.
- In today’s society, the word hippy is rarely used. Instead people with similar beliefs are known as liberalists. These are people who are against the war in Iraq and believe we have no business being there, much like our situation in Vietnam 50 years ago. While liberalists in the 1960s pushed for civil rights for African-Americans, the majority of today’s youth believe that gays and lesbians should have a right to get married and have the same rights as anybody else. The government is in the process of appealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the military and some would suggest that is due to the strong protest for the appeal nation wide. Liberalism today is the same as it ever was. In some cases, this includes drug use as well. The difference is today, the drug laws are much more harsh than they were during the 1960s, creating a much more dangerous environment.
In comparison, there is not much difference between today’s youth and that of the 1960s. Both generations believed in liberalism and felt that peace and tranquility were the best ways to achieving a prosperous nation. Many of the freedoms we enjoy today are due in part to the strong voice of the hippy generation. Today’s youth, while similar to the hippies, seems to have a more unified voice. It is not just the youth pushing for change, but rather people of all ages, race and gender. Only future generations will be able to tell which generation had a bigger impact on our world.