Damn hippies…! March 9, 2008
Posted by churchofgoogle in Small Group Communication, Uncategorized.trackback
The Pioneer valley is regarded as an educational and cultural Mecca in Western Massachusetts, characterized by a free flow of ideas and a generally accepting environment for alternative lifestyles. With the “liberal” atmosphere of the “Happy Valley” as it is called, I’m sure many of us have heard the term “hippie” in reference to certain people in society. These individuals are seen as dreadlocked, patchouli wearing, environmentally friendly, pot smoking people who rock patchwork pants and have jam circles in any public area. While we know that all of these aspects may not necessarily apply, there is still a very definitive notion of what a “hippie” is in New England. As stated by The Online Entymology Dictionary: hippiec.1965, Amer.Eng. (Haight-Ashbury slang), from earlier hippie, 1953, usually a disparaging variant of hipster (1941) “person who is keenly aware of the new and stylish,” from hip “up-to-date” (see hip (adj.)). The route offered by The Online Etymology Dictionary offers a take on the early history of the word. This somewhat innocuous reference to our modern “cool” has evolved into the “crunchy granola” version of our time. hip·pie ˈhɪp i – Show Spelled Pronunciation[hip-ee] Pronunciation Key–noun
| a person, esp. of the late 1960s, who rejected established institutions and values and sought spontaneity, direct personal relations expressing love, and expanded consciousness, often expressed externally in the wearing of casual, folksy clothing and of beads, headbands, used garments, etc. |
As has been a trend in American history, a term which began as an inoffensive word was applied to a minority in order to label and ostracize them. In the past, when certain groups have been deemed a threat politically, culturally, or otherwise, these terms have been applied to them in order to separate the minority from the majority. The cultural movement of the 60’s fostered entire populations of these social pariahs, who were consequently labeled hippies. The general ideas of peace, love, and unity of this earlier period were translated into more modern times with the development of hippie clothes, speech, and lifestyle. The word hippie is not necessarily derogatory, but has been instilled as a way to categorize and label those who are not the majority. Human being use these terms in order to predict behavior, have expectations and gain insight into others without having any direct contact or knowledge.
Concerning our group dynamics, I don’t recall having heard the term hippie being used in class at all, although I’m sure there has been use of similar labeling being used. I would guess that these terms might not be as noticeable to me because of their casual use. After this assignment, I will be more likely to take note of particular instances where certain words may be used as oppose to others. I believe that if any of these terms were used in class it would be for ease of use, not to be offensive in any way.
I like the reflection at the end about not noticing certain terms because of the casual way in which they are used. For instance, the title of this post! Why “damn” hippies? Even if the term has not been used in the class (I don’t remember either but there are also so many private or small group conversations that we don’t know about), it seems that there really is a common sense that you relied on to provide a catchy title in the hope of drawing readers.
Why are the hippies to be damned? What is damnable about them? You’re absolutely right in the general sense of a word being used as a label to mark off and demean a category. What I want to know is, why were the hippies such a threat? What did they bring attention to that made others uncomfortable – so uncomfortable that the religious threat of eternal punishment became such an easy association?
You used the dictionary to define the “New England” view of a hippie, which contradicts (?!!) your own evocative image: “dreadlocked, patchouli wearing, environmentally friendly, pot smoking people who rock patchwork pants and have jam circles in any public area.” Wow!
Baldi’s cultural analysis is intriguing. For instance, in tracing the contemporary usage of “hippie” to its origins, he found
““hep” means “well-informed, knowledgeable, ‘wise to’, up-to-date; smart, stylish.” Interestingly enough, one of the earliest recorded uses of the word appears in the book Criminal Slang in 1914. The term was probably brought into the popular consciousness by Cab Calloway in the ‘30’s with his song Hi De Ho. “Hep” is also largely associated with alternative musical movements like swing, jazz and, later, be-bop. Notably, under the listing for “hip” the OED lists quotes from Jack Kerouac as well as publications by/for black populations. Already, the term was associated with an Other, the criminal, the wild musician, the bohemian, the minority.”
This makes me wonder what “otherings” might be occurring in our class’ group? And – even more importantly – along what lines? That seems to me to be crucial: when is one “in” this group (and thus “out” of that one)?