Whatever happened to the hippies? The hippies were part of a counter-culture of mostly young adults. The hippie movement began in the mid sixties and was a rejection of many of the values of their parents generation. Sadly what began as love and peace degenerated into overindulgence in drugs and dangerously promiscuous behaviors. Hippies were perhaps naive in thinking they could re-invent society in a short period of time. Many became disillusioned and re-joined mainstream society. The hippie influence continues however and has changed society in many ways for the better in my opinion. Their rejection of violence and materialism and the embracing of environmentalism, community responsibility and spiritual values should be noted as worthy accomplishments.

Some hippies have survived right up to the present day by adapting to modern life while holding on to their root values. Most have moved past the drugs and the irresponsible behaviors. They have grown up and cast aside the aspects of their generation that proved not useful for the long haul. Surviving hippies can be found worldwide but there are places where they have settled into communities. Eugene, Oregon being one of them. There you will find the remnants of what was once and still is a good idea. It is amongst the last strongholds of what was a vast empire of possibilities. Many of their values are worth embracing and could perhaps lead us out of this mess of a society we are in and toward a better more respectful way of being.

If you are interested in witnessing hippie culture take a stroll in downtown Eugene. Go to The Oregon Country Fair which takes place July 13,14 and 15, 2007. The fair is a 3 day gathering held annually since 1969. Located on 280 wooded acres west of Eugene off of Highway 126, it features handmade crafts, music, foods and community based culture. If you are a hippie or you are hippie curious, go there and see what the hippies are all about. The fair is an example of how community could be. Utopia? No, but the closest thing to it that I have seen.

Learn more about this author, N. Kano Miles.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The hippie subculture?
We want to hear your view. Write now!