Source Image: Travis Simon, 'Hippies', 2009,
Via www.flickr.com/photos/travis_simon/4009899340/

Counterculture was an anti-establishment cultural phenomenon and political movement. It was a big thing in the mid-60s to mid-70s. The people that were normally involved in this were called hippies or flower children.

You have so many movements that happened during this era. You have the civil rights movement, The Black Power movement, the Free Speech Movement, the sexual revolution, as well as the Women’s liberation movement. Granted, most of this happened in the US. But to be fair, we watch a lot of what happens in the US.

During this time, there was a lot of experimentation when it came to clothing and Hollywood and music. Musical acts like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan all came with a new sound. That we hadn’t heard really before. The Beatles are one of the biggest bands to exist. There were less restrictions when it came to censorship for films. One of the films created during this time that was very popular was Bonnie and Clyde. And this is when the miniskirt was invented as well. They were very popular as well as jeans were very popular as well.

Of course, this time was mostly known for the movements as well as the protests that happened. It all depended where you were in the world. In France, you had French students uniting and nearly toppling the government. Or in Mexico, you had the youth revolt. Or you had The Digger publishing monthly between 1972 and 1975 and served as a national outlet for many movements within Australia.

Music was a big thing during this time. Bob Dylan himself was a protester and sang it in his lyrics too. And I mean, Jimi Hendrix started his career at the Monterey Pop Festival And ended up at the 1969 Woodstock Festival with other acts like Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Creedence Clearwater Revival and even The Who. Or if you want a Canadian band The Band even played.

Again, there’s a lot to go over with Counterculture. But the effect it had on us. I mean, it took. 40-50 some-odd years but some drugs are legalized. We have more women’s rights and expanded our clothing styles. We’re not as afraid to push the boundary.

Yes, counterculture still exists today. But is it ever actually going to go away because I honestly think it probably won’t. But honestly, who knows what will happen in the future.