June 22, 2006 Columns » IQ

"The Sixties" are associated with "counterculture," ideals like peace and love, alternate lifestyles and non-material abundance values that in 2006 incite mostly derision and eye rolling. Multitudes, like those anticipated to attend the upcoming Rainbow Family gathering, continue to embrace counterculture values as viable alternatives to a Sears & Roebuck mentality, corporate globalization and inside-the-box politics.

Over the Rainbow?  

by

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"The Sixties" are associated with "counterculture," ideals like peace and love, alternate lifestyles and non-material abundance values that in 2006 incite mostly derision and eye rolling. Multitudes, like those anticipated to attend the upcoming Rainbow Family gathering, continue to embrace counterculture values as viable alternatives to a Sears & Roebuck mentality, corporate globalization and inside-the-box politics. For more on the upcoming Rainbow gathering, read the cover feature starting on page 16.
click to enlarge Nohal Boline - - Old Colorado City - - Plant nursery worker - - What does the word "hippie" bring to mind? - Protest, searching for meaning, believing in a cause. - - Does the counterculture still exist? Not so - much in Colorado Springs, which is so conservative, but - there are niches here and there. - - What good came of the hippie movement? - Mostly a state of mind that considers everyone - equal. - - What bad came of it? It sparked a lot of - stereotypes, and heightened society's resistance to - subculture. - - Envision a Rainbow Family gathering. People - who care more about equality, freedom and - independence than about money.
  • Nohal Boline

    Old Colorado City

    Plant nursery worker

    What does the word "hippie" bring to mind? Protest, searching for meaning, believing in a cause.

    Does the counterculture still exist? Not so much in Colorado Springs, which is so conservative, but there are niches here and there.

    What good came of the hippie movement? Mostly a state of mind that considers everyone equal.

    What bad came of it? It sparked a lot of stereotypes, and heightened society's resistance to subculture.

    Envision a Rainbow Family gathering. People who care more about equality, freedom and independence than about money.

click to enlarge Chuck Irwin - - Fontanero and 7th St. - - Retired IBM - - What does the term "hippie" suggest? - Bohemians, free spirits, long tresses, connoisseurs - of good music. - - Is there still a counterculture? Colorado - Springs is one of the most diverse cities I've been in. You - can find just about anything you want, but you have to - seek it out. It doesn't come to you. - - Name something good that hippies brought about. - They promoted freedom of lifestyle and interesting - clothing. They awakened the masses to greater - possibilities in culture, art and music. - - Describe a Rainbow Family gathering. People - who value independence and exchange of thought. - These gatherings are a lot more intellectual than you - think. My son goes to them.
  • Chuck Irwin

    Fontanero and 7th St.

    Retired IBM

    What does the term "hippie" suggest? Bohemians, free spirits, long tresses, connoisseurs of good music.

    Is there still a counterculture? Colorado Springs is one of the most diverse cities I've been in. You can find just about anything you want, but you have to seek it out. It doesn't come to you.

    Name something good that hippies brought about. They promoted freedom of lifestyle and interesting clothing. They awakened the masses to greater possibilities in culture, art and music.

    Describe a Rainbow Family gathering. People who value independence and exchange of thought. These gatherings are a lot more intellectual than you think. My son goes to them.

click to enlarge Jo Ann Kucmiak - - Pueblo - - K-8 teacher and librarian - - What is a "hippie"? Something I used to be: a - free thinker, free spirit, someone who likes to have a - good time, loves music, accepts people for who they are. - - Is there still a counterculture? Yes, but the - niche is getting smaller and smaller. - - What was best about it? Sensational music, - increased willingness of people to speak out against - injustice. - - Are there aspects of it you still identify with? - Being a free thinker, disliking any authority that - cramps my style. - - Picture a Rainbow Family gathering. Non- - Republican individuals pursuing alternative lifestyles and - thinking about the environment.
  • Jo Ann Kucmiak

    Pueblo

    K-8 teacher and librarian

    What is a "hippie"? Something I used to be: a free thinker, free spirit, someone who likes to have a good time, loves music, accepts people for who they are.

    Is there still a counterculture? Yes, but the niche is getting smaller and smaller.

    What was best about it? Sensational music, increased willingness of people to speak out against injustice.

    Are there aspects of it you still identify with? Being a free thinker, disliking any authority that cramps my style.

    Picture a Rainbow Family gathering. Non- Republican individuals pursuing alternative lifestyles and thinking about the environment.

click to enlarge Robert Hart - - Cimarron Hills - - Factory worker - - What are "hippies"? Good people. Kind and - loving people who care about others and the earth. - - Name something good hippies brought about. - A sensibility free of anger, violence or a need to - coerce or kill. - - Describe a Rainbow Family gathering. People - coming from all over to greet old friends and make new - ones.
  • Robert Hart

    Cimarron Hills

    Factory worker

    What are "hippies"? Good people. Kind and loving people who care about others and the earth.

    Name something good hippies brought about. A sensibility free of anger, violence or a need to coerce or kill.

    Describe a Rainbow Family gathering. People coming from all over to greet old friends and make new ones.

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