Postmodern Countercultures In America

What is a counterculture?A movement in beliefs against the mainstream

cultureA group that lies outside of the mainstream

cultureA catalyst for change in the mainstream cultureA source of rich expression in:

ArtMusicFashion/styleLanguageDance

[Note: This presentation suggests general trends in countercultures. Not all participants in a group necessarily hold all or any of the beliefs listed here.]

Beat Generation Started in late 1940’sBeat short for “Beatnik”Slogan: “Far out, man”Abstract art and poetryRejection of materialismCelebrated non-

conformity and spontaneous creativity

Precursors to the hippies

Hippies – Flower ChildrenMovement began in

early 1960’s in San Francisco

Slogan: “Tune in, turn on, and drop out” (Timothy Leary)

Rejected mainstream political institutions

Avoided working for “the man”

Had “be-ins” and “drum circles”

Practiced and preached non-violence

FeministsEmerged from the

Hippie counterculturePromise of self-reliance,

self-realization and freedom from duty

Embraced the sexual revolution

Fought for abortion rights and access to birth control

Wanted to be treated as equal to men

Slogan: “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” (Irina Dunn)

Hip Hop NationOriginated in the 1970s in

the inner city African American and Latino communities of New York City

Elements of the hip hop culture: MC-ing (rhythmic spoken

delivery of rhymes and wordplay)

DJ-ing (cutting, scratching, and sampling music)

Graffiti writing Beat-boxing Embracing hip hop fashion Slang

Became a way of dealing with the hardships of life as minorities in America

An outlet to deal with urban violence and gang culture

Generation XPost Baby-Boomers (born

1961-1981) Counterculture emerged in

the 1980’s Also known as the 13th

generation or slackersMore focused on money

than on art or achievement“The generation without a

conscience”Slogan: “Numb and dumb”Hold the highest level of

education and lowest levels of income

Had “McJobs” instead of careers

Other American CounterculturesGothsRastafarians Punks