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The Heroism of the Hippie Movement

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Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies

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Synonyms

Beatnik heroes; Bohemian heroes; Civil rights heroes; Flower child; Noncomformists; Nonviolent protest

Definition

Though often dismissed as naive rebels without a cause, the Hippie Movement served a profound cultural function by courageously challenging oppressive conformity of the early 1960s. The Hippie Movement gave life to social possibility through radical demonstration of alternative lifestyles reflecting the ideals of love and peace. With daring optimism whether in protest, attire, or artistic output, hippies promoted vital conversations regarding institutional injustice, environmental consciousness, sexual freedom, and stifling of individuality across class and gender lines. Guided by an ethical compass urging nonviolence, love, and human connectivity as an antidote to mounting political tensions of the era, hippies leveraged communal activism and creative expression to model more progressive, insightful pathways forward during a pivotal generation of change. Though...

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References

  • Allison, S.T. 2021. Beth Harmon’s hero’s journey: The psychology of heroism in the Queen’s gambit. Richmond: Palsgrove.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. RJ’s Drive-In Theater, Boston, MA, USA

    Rick Hutchins

Authors
  1. Rick Hutchins
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Section Editor information

  1. University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA

    Scott T. Allison

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© 2024 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

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Hutchins, R. (2024). The Heroism of the Hippie Movement. In: Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17125-3_544-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17125-3_544-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-17125-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-17125-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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