Counterculture in the sixties

Counterculture in the Sixties

The sixties were a time of change, and more importantly of changing perceptions within American and Western culture about the meaning of social as well as personal life. The common thread that runs through all the aspects, events and movements in this turbulent period is that of the interrogation and questioning of the status quo. If there is one common element that joins the various strands, ideas and movements of this period it is a feeling of dissatisfaction with the way that society was run. This led to the often outspoken and even violent expression of these feelings that characterized many of the events that we associate with society during this time.

The essential aim of this paper will be to show the way that these different elements and social movements of this time intersect and relate to one another in terms of their underlying perceptions and intentions. Central to this view is the way that these various movements rejected the conventional norms and values of society at that time, and the way that they sought to improve society and the human condition for the better. The central aspects that will be selected for discussion will be the anti-war movements, the human rights and liberties movements and the general youth cultural or 'hippie' movement, that all rejected the conventional values of society.

The term counterculture emerged as a description of the historical and philosophical appraisal and assessment of the modes of Western society and culture during the 1960's. The counterculture movements, as the name implies, in general radically questioned the pervading views pertaining to political, cultural and social conventions of America society and in effect rejected many of the norms, values and standards that had been accepted by society in the past. In essence the counterculture movements saw discrimination, oppression and the abuse of power, as well as a predilection for war and social control, as the central characteristics of the political and cultural status quo. They reacted strongly against the dominance and dominating tenets of capitalist / industrial society in their desire for alternatives and for human 'freedom'.

It should also not be forgotten that the various counterculture movements in America and in the other developed countries had as their central aim an improvement and a readjustment of modern society, in order to make it more just and compassionate.

Another fact that should be briefly noted is that the historical antecedents of the counterculture ethos of the sixties had their origins in the general questioning and deconstruction of Western society that had begun in the early 20th century. The First World War had shocked the world with its large scale slaughter and this had initiated the start of the modernist movement, which questioned the way that society was structured and which also rejected war and power politics as the way in which the future of mankind should be determined. This sentiment and opposition to the status quo was eventually to influence the strong anti-capitalist and anti-establishment tone of the 1960's.

There were many precursors and motivating factors that created the climate of radical questioning that was to lead to the rejection of the tenets of the status quo in America in the 1960's. The Vietnam War was a central instigating factor that motivated many aspects of the counterculture view and added to the criticism of government and those in power. This war, mainly through its vivid projection of death and atrocities on American television screens, was seen to be unjust by many and even contrary to the human rights and values of life that Americans held dear. This was to lead to a rejection by the youth of the values and norm that were perceived to lie behind the American involvement in Vietnam. This rejection of the war by many was further exacerbated by the instigation of the military draft or compulsory service.

An example of the reaction to the draft and the Vietnam War was when President Nixon appeared on national television "…to announce the invasion of Cambodia by the United States, and the need to draft 150,000 more soldiers. At Kent State University in Ohio, protesters launched a riot, which included fires, injuries and even death "(Counterculture of the Sixties).

The Vietnam War and the way that it was negatively perceived by many different groupings was a pervasive element in the alignment of those parts of the society and culture that were in opposition to social conventions and the status quo. This was to lead to a common perception of the flaws in the government and its policies in the world.

With a country in shambles, as a result of the Vietnam War, thousands of young men and women took their stand through rallies, protests, and concerts. A large number of young Americans opposed the war in Vietnam. With the common feeling of anti-war, thousands of youths united as one.

(Counterculture of the Sixties)

The result of the common opposition among the youth was that a new culture or counter - culture began to spread with "… alternate lifestyles blossoming, people coming together and reviving their communal efforts…" (Counterculture of the Sixties) This was to lead to other cultural movements and to the so -- called hippie movement and Woodstock.

This new culture was to develop it own style, slogans an attitude towards life; such as the famous phrase coined by Timothy Leary: "Tune in, turn on, and drop out!" Put more simply, what was taking place was a radial change in the youth of the country and more movements and groups began to appear which, while they may have had different practical objectives and agendas, all had the same common view that a new way of life and society was needed. One of the larges largest anti-war demonstrations in history was held when 250,000 people marched from the Capitol to the Washington Monument, showing the unity of youth. (Counterculture of the Sixties)

The anti- establishment groups were also linked in sprit to the other counterculture groups in the political arena who fought against the prevailing notions of political governance. For example, groups such as the Chicago Seven, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and other New Left groupings. The manifestoes and actions of these groups were based on their opposition to what they saw a social injustice and the abuse of power.

The Vietnam War and the sense in which it was perceived, was a linking and pervasive element in the alignment of the various cultural movements and bodies who were in opposition to conventional norms of the status quo. The civil rights movement of the sixties also exhibited the same sort of defiance against authoritarian prejudice and discrimination that they saw to be part of the established bastions of power. In particular, Martin Luther King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was involved in various efforts to desegregate public transport and schools during this period. The refusal of Rosa Parks to move to the rear of a bus in Montgomery Alabama because of the color of her skin led to a landmark year-long black boycott of public transportation. (Civil Rights Movement) While the civil rights movements has their own particular objectives, they were linked to the anti-war demonstrators and to other political counterculture movements in spirit and in the common search for what they saw to be a better and more compassionate country.

However, the sixties and the spirit that invigorates this period are possibly best exemplified by the 'hippie culture'. While the word hippie has acquired certain negative connotations in recent years, yet this term has also come to be associated with a search for new ways of human expression and understanding and with the desire to do away with prejudice, discrimination and warfare in our society.