Actions taken by hippies were effective in bringing about change. Pay no attention to the conservative naysayers who still can’t get over it.

Some of those actions were protesting against the Vietnam War, advocating for peace, expanding awareness, exercising sexual freedom and promoting civil rights. The hippie movement may have only lasted a few years, but its impact is still being felt today. The peace movement, music, and civil rights are all still influenced by the hippies. Thanks to their efforts, society has become more tolerant and peaceful.

by Peter McCarthy

for Assorted Ideas, Large & Small/A Different Way

1. Hippies called for an end to the Vietnam War, which eventually led to the war ending in 1975.

The hippie movement was not entirely effective in ending the Vietnam War, but it did play a role in doing so. Many hippies participated in protests and demonstrations, which helped to raise awareness about the war and its effects. Additionally, the hippie movement encouraged people to speak out against the war, which led to more opposition against it.

In the long run, not just protests but pushing for peace, in general, made Americans far less inclined to support war. President George W. Bush had to fake provocation in Iraq to get Americans back into it.

2. Hippies championed civil rights and racial equality

Some specific examples of hippie activism in support of civil rights include protesting against the Vietnam War – which was largely fought by people of color who could not afford college and promoting civil rights. The hippies believed that all people deserved to be treated equally, regardless of race or ethnicity. Thanks in part to their efforts, racial inequality is much less prevalent today, although it remains a major American vice.

3. The hippie movement emphasized peace and love, which helped to reduce violence and aggression in society.

The hippie message of peace and love helped reduce violence and aggression in society by promoting tolerance and understanding. Hippies believed that if everyone worked together towards peace, then the world would be a much more peaceful place. By advocating for love and compassion, they showed the world that it was possible to live in harmony with one another.

4. The hippie movement gave birth to the environmental movement, as people began to see the negative effects of pollution and consumerism.

Some of the most significant contributions that hippies made to environmentalism include promoting recycling, raising awareness about the dangers of pollution and advocating for renewable energy sources. Hippies believed that it was our responsibility to take care of our planet, and they did everything they could to promote environmentally-friendly practices.

5. Hippies championed gender equality, helping to break down barriers that had been in place for centuries.

The hippie movement helped to break down traditional gender roles, paving the way for women and LGBTQ people gaining ground in equal rights. Hippies believed that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their gender or sexuality. They worked to promote feminism and LGBTQ rights. Thanks to their efforts, society has become much more inclusive and tolerant of gender diversity and sexual orientation.

Some of the most iconic moments in the fight for racial and gender equality took place in the women’s liberation movement, the Stonewall riots and the gay rights movement. These movements were all supported by hippies, who fought tirelessly to break down traditional barriers that had been in place for centuries.

6. Hippies championed alternative lifestyles, which eventually led to a more tolerant and open society.

The benefits of having a society that is tolerant and open are enormous. Supporting everyone’s full potential adds worth in any culture. A tolerant and open society accepts and celebrates diversity. It is a place where everyone is free to be themselves, without fear of judgment or persecution. A tolerant and open society is also one that is more peaceful and harmonious, as everyone is better able to get along together peacefully.

7. Hippie music introduced a new sound to the world, influencing musicians for decades to come.

Hippie music was a genre of music popular in the 1960s and 1970s. It was characterized by its loose, psychedelic sound, and it often featured lyrics that advocated for peace and love. Hippie music was heavily influenced by folk music, and it helped to introduce a new sound to the world. Many legendary musicians seeded hippie music, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Hippie music continued influencing musicians, and it remains popular to this day.

8. Hippies believed in sexual liberation, which helped to break down traditional views about sex and gender.

One of the primary ways that hippies broke down traditional barriers about sex was by promoting sexual liberation. They believed that everyone should be free to express their sexuality in whatever way they choose, as often as they chose and without judgment or censure. As a result, they worked to break down traditional views about sex and gender. By advocating for sexual liberation, they showed the world that it was possible to have a more open and tolerant society when it came to sex. Thanks to their efforts, society has become much more open and tolerant when it comes to sexual expression.

9. Hippies embraced creativity and individuality, promoting self-expression in all forms.

Hippies promoted self-expression was by advocating for creativity and individuality. They believed that everyone should be free to express themselves in whatever way they choose. As a result, they worked to break down traditional views about creativity and individuality. By advocating for creativity and individuality, they showed the world that it was possible to have a more open and tolerant society when it came to self-expression.

10. The hippie movement gave rise to the feminist movement, as women fought for their rights and equality.

One of the ways that the hippie movement fostered the feminist movement was by advocating for gender equality. They believed that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their gender. As a result, they worked to break down traditional views about gender.

11. Hippies championed alternative lifestyles and self-sufficient communities, which helped to inspire the back-to-the-land movement.

Hippies inspired the back-to-the-land movement, advocating for alternative lifestyles and self-sufficient communities. They believed that everyone should be free to express themselves in whatever way they choose. As a result, they worked to break down traditional views about alternative lifestyles and self-sufficient communities.

12. The hippie movement led to a growing acceptance of psychedelic drugs, which sparked further research into the potential benefits of psychedelics.

Psychedelics are substances that cause changes in perception, emotion, and thinking. Although conservatives, then and now, attacked the freedom and awakening attributed to psychedelics, the push continues. Recently, a more general acceptance of the benefits opened doors to research and less punishing laws.

Some of the potential benefits of psychedelics include:

• Reduced anxiety and depression.
• Increased creativity and openness.
• Increased self-awareness.
• Reduce alcohol and hard drug addiction.
• Spiritual awareness.

13. Hippies preached the importance of personal growth and self-awareness, which has helped to shape the modern mindfulness movement.

The hippie movement preached the importance of personal growth and self-awareness. That helped build a foundation for the modern mindfulness movement. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment. Practicing mindfulness, people learn to be more present and aware in their lives. This helps reduce stress and anxiety and improves overall mental health. The modern mindfulness movement has been heavily influenced by the hippie movement, as both movements advocate for personal growth and self-awareness.

14. The hippie movement showed that large-scale social change is possible when people come together and stand up for their beliefs.

The hippie movement showed that large-scale social change is possible when people come together and stand up for their beliefs. By uniting under a common cause, hippies were able to achieve many of their goals, such as ending the Vietnam War and improving civil rights. Their unified voice created a powerful movement that made a difference in the world.