Today’s post is on the lighter side. A reader in Arizona has suggested that I am a hippie.
Or, to be more specific, he wrote I am “definitely much more of a hippie” than he himself is. Hmm.
Catalina State Park, Tucson, AZ
His tone was friendly enough, but I’ve been pondering this hippie business, this label, for a couple of weeks. I see myself as an alternative thinker, a progressive, rather than a hippie. But I’m willing to admit some common ground. . . . for instance, feeling connected to the natural world (hence the photo to the right).
Let’s look at appearance . . . body hair, for example. Hippies (of both genders) are known to be hirsute. Unshaven legs and armpits have been sighted in women, for instance. Progressives, in contrast, generally see razors as their friends. In this arena, I’m not a hippie. (I eschew tattoos, too . . . . . not that I would judge you for having any).
Work. Work is a more foundational area of a person’s life than mere appearance. Hippies have a reputation for being work-averse, maybe even slackers, and to have issues with authority figures. Progressives, though, usually embrace work, often professional work, partly because it provides outlets (legal ones) for their passionate progressiveness. Many interact fluently with authority figures (got to win them over to the cause!) I make my living in the niche field of transportation options (bike/walk/transit/carpool), and tend to gravitate to the most powerful person in any given room, eager to talk with him or her about mutual interests. Again, I seem more progressive than hippie.
The matter of food: OK, I join hippies in my preference for vegetarian, ethnic, organic and local food. And I’ve been known to grow some food of my own, though I’ve never lived in a commune on the land, as my friend Vicki, 65, did in her youth. We recycle and compost here in my Portland household — but here, that’s mainstream. (I understand Arizona and many Southern states are a little behind on this :).)
Religion? I love church — no mind-expanding drugs needed for me to feel connected to Creation. I hike or bicycle on Sunday mornings to Lincoln Street Church. It happens to be Methodist, but I don’t worry about details of dogma or theology (and neither does my church). Being a church-goer is fairly conservative in the context of Oregon, a highly unchurched state — but I’m happy to be square when it makes sense to be square.
How about temperament? Hippies would generally be Type B . . . . . ranging to Z. Easygoing, no compulsions to accomplish things, especially not on tight schedules. My husband and my boss both tell me I am Type A: driven to achieve. I would simply add in my defense that I am a loving , sometimes even effusive, Type A person. For example, if you are a hippie, I would probably find you lovable – platonically.
Which brings us to relationships. Hippies, at least the old-timey flower children of the late 60’s and 70’s, were into ‘free love’. I had thought the modern term was ‘open relationships’, but Vicki, my hippie expert, informs me that has been replaced by ‘polyamorous’ (i.e. loving multiple people). Progressives (well, I can speak for my husband and myself) are into steamy, passionate monogamy. I quote Kris Kristofferson’s Me And Bobby McGee: “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” When I love someone, I have plenty to lose. While I’ll admit I sometimes flirt a little, I have zero tolerance for messing around. In the arena of love relationships, I would clearly make a terrible hippie.
On the other hand, I join hippies in leftie politics, embracing diversity, questioning illegitimate authority, and dislike of corporate culture, especially when it emphasizes profit-at-any-cost. Our world needs the opposite of the latter. Clothing-wise, I do love flowing skirts, faded Levis and lacy camisoles — but you won’t catch me dead, Grateful or otherwise, in a tie-dyed T-shirt.
Over to my readers: do you identify with hippie culture? Would you agree with the reader who suggested I am a hippie?
photo courtesy of vinsanity2009
June 15, 2011
I love the word “hippie.” Sometimes a put-down, sometimes a compliment. Definitely re-possesed by the crowd that is subject to the term the way that fag, dyke, queer, nigga’ etc. have been reclaimed and used to the point of removing the put-down.
Another thing that comes to mind is that “hippie” feels like a put down to some because of its association with an era when saying “no” was a daring action that had real benefit for the greater good. Now saying “no” still holds a useful purpose but creating “yes” is where the action is. I think this is a natural evolution of thought and action and a good sign of maturation of our culture.
June 15, 2011
Josh,
It’s true that words get reclaimed as a culture matures (though I maintain our culture is pretty deeply immature, with its materialism and consumption). And I definitely agree that creating ‘yes’ is where the action is.
June 9, 2011
I think perhaps I’m a progressive hippie! Excellent set of comparisons, and maybe hippies are, as Crafty Green Poet says, less tightly defined now.
June 8, 2011
Most of this post resonated totally with me, I am in some ways a hippie (mostly my appearance, and yes I do have hairy legs and am lazy about shaving my underarms and often wear lacy skirts etc but i can dress in a smart suit too!) and I agree with a lot of the hippie type political views. I think though hippy isn’t such a tight definition these days as it used to be
June 8, 2011
Wow, Hanmi really nailed it re labels.
Just guessing here but I’ll bet the Arizona reader meant what he said as a compliment and not that you were hairy, stinky or lazy! …not that there is anything inherently undesirable about being hairy…and, I suppose, there is room for debate regarding “stinky.”
In the best sense of the word hippie (losing any negative stereotypes), you most probably are more of a hippie than he is…I mean, come on, he lives in Arizona…and that is definitely hostile territory for progressives.
He actually sounds like a pretty perceptive guy!
June 9, 2011
Dana: I feel compassion for any progressive (or human being) finding himself or herself in a hostile environment. And I’ll grant it’s POSSIBLE the Arizona reader had intended the hippie monicker as a compliment. It’s even possible he’s perceptive. It almost sounds like you might have lived in Arizona yourself at some point? I actually have loved my own visits to Arizona, though they’ve been in the central and northern parts of the state . . . . good memories of hiking in the Grand Canyon and tubing on the Rio Salado. I hope the recent wildfires get contained and don’t endanger people.
June 7, 2011
It was fun learning more about who Ali is through this post, which then made me think about who I am. Which me? We are all so multi-faceted; like the other commenters pointed out, labels - while perhaps needed and helpful at times - can be so constraining. They are (or perhaps should be?) anchored to a time and place. The me I was yesterday is now changed because of what I experienced today, and I’d be quite unseated if someone imagined me to be the me I was during some earlier “testing” stages in my life.
Certainly there are fundamental pieces of ourselves that float through, intact, the stages of our growth. But other parts come and go like shedding leaves in the fall, to make way for the new growth.
June 9, 2011
Allison, Very eloquent. I agree. We have so many chapters and identities in our lives, some of them anchored to a time and place, and some more deeply rooted in our being. Some things change, and some things stay true. Thanks for such a thoughtful comment, dear friend.
June 7, 2011
Okay, I am the “hippie” friend and I came by my title honestly. In 1he sixties I lived for a time on both Haight Street and Ashbury Street. I also sold hippie newspapers, The Oracle, in my Indian bed-spread hand-made dress. Then, I read the Mother Earth News and moved to a commune!
That said, it is hard for me to separate the desires of youth to try out many things that are the opposite of their parents. Seeing the younger generation (Alison, Hammi, Colleen), I am glad that we went to some extremes. We broke the mold and gave people more choices.
I wore nylons and cute pumps to a meeting today, because I was in a mood.
The area that hasn’t been touched on is how much we gave to the world of music,, sounds that keep on giving.
Peace and Love,
V
June 9, 2011
Vicki, So true that your boundaries-pushing hippie generation gave those of who followed many of the wide range of choices we enjoy today. It’s easy to forget how much pressure there was to conform prior to the late 60’s. Thanks for blazing a trail that allowed for more creativity. And you’re right that the late 60’s and 70’s gave us some fantastic music that stands the test of time and keeps giving. I’m glad you were hanging out with me the night I wrote this post . . . . you made it a lot better via your input.
June 7, 2011
Of course you’re a hippie! Radiant smile, flowing skirts, dancing at the drop of a hat, loving, welcoming, a real toucher. I’ve never thought of you as anything else! I spent my early 20s in Berkeley and clearly have a brighter image of what a hippie is, where it’s more about core values; means to an end and love, baby, love. Things I know you care about. And of course you’re a hippie, you live in Oregon! (but I get your points, too). Peace out.
June 7, 2011
Hanmi: Wow . . . .you really put me in my place. While I agree with you, people will always need concepts and words (which tend to then become labels) in order to make sense of their world, especially when the world is increasingly complex. It’s essential, though, to always look beyond surfaces, and, as you said, emphasize what we share in common.
Colleen: I think you and I are both half-a-hippie
. . . . . for all the reasons you mention.
June 9, 2011
I agree people need words as descriptors, but still contend that the use of a singular label is generally going to be more inaccurate than accurate. Then again, I am probably more accustomed to not fitting labels because I am bi-racial and a dual national…
June 7, 2011
I like the fashion sense, but not the lack of hygiene. I identify with the idea of personal freedom, but not free love. I support the connection with peace and non-violent resistance and honoring the Earth. I don’t agree with breaking sound laws meant to protect us all (illegal drug use comes to mind), but I do agree we should question authority when a law or practice feels wrong. Hmmm…would all this make me half-a-hippie?
June 7, 2011
I think I’ve seen you in a tie-dyed skirt, though… 😉 In this day and age of diversity and cross-cultural-ism, people adhering steadfastly to one group’s ideology/stereotype is becoming increasingly uncommon, especially among younger generations. Like most things, one’s “hippie-ness” would have to be measured on a continuum, in which case, the reader in Arizona may well be correct in assessing you are more of a hippie than him - hard to say knowing nothing about him. At the start of your post you seem to balk at being “labelled”, yet you make a case for being called a progressive instead of hippie, which is still using a label to define you. I suggest we stop trying to find convenient labels to box each other in with, as they tend to be limiting and divisive, and instead embrace the qualities and ideologies that we have in common.
June 9, 2011
Hanmi, just to set the record straight: that blue/purple skirt you photographed me in the day of the housewarming party was NOT tie-dye. It was a batik design. I really do not do tie-dye. Also wanted to mention I love how you belt rock ‘n’ roll songs — from both the 70’s and 80’s.
June 9, 2011
Hahaha! I knew you would say it was batik, but I decided to tease you a bit anyway. Hence the wink ;). I agree, the classic acid trip tie-dye is pretty hideous. And thank you for the plug! You rock in so many ways… 😀