[redwitch]

To me, a hippie was never a draft dodger per se. A hippie did believe in peace and truly felt war was morally wrong whereas a draft dodger avoided the draft out of a fear of dying -- HUGE difference. The Haight had many who played at being a hippie, but they were there for the drugs and the free sex. Hippies set up their communes (several in the wine country; Carmel Highlands had several; so did Central California and Big Sur). Yes, they used drugs but many times to bring a sense of enlightment rather than just to get high. They were willing to protest (peacefully) for their beliefs. In many ways, it was a form of Communism, but not the Russian version -- it was the original version of everyone doing their share and everyone sharing. Vietnam was protested with a passion -- not only was it a war, but it was a war that was morally wrong in and of itself. Segregation was protested. Equal rights was again starting to matter.

I did admire their convictions and their willingness to go to jail and be injured for those convictions. I knew men who became hippies upon returning from Vietnam. Muhhamed Ali was willing to give up a title and be imprisoned rather than fight a war he felt was wrong and corrupt (he wasnt a hippie but he certainly had many of their values). The biggest difference between Black Muslims and hippies was that Black Muslims were willing to fight for their beliefs -- peaceful protest was definitely NOT their thing.

I was never a hippie. I could never have shown that level of disrespect to my father or my brother. Also, I was a very materialistic young woman and giving up everything to share with my brethren was just not in me. Communal life was an anathema to me -- I loved my solitude. So, that's my take on hippies. It really was so much more than free love and drugs.