Taryn+S’s+2017+OpEd+Article


 * Stop judging hippies. It's as simple as that. **

If you look back many years into the past, hippies have always had this reputation of being (basically) lazy ass bums. They’ve been known to live the druggie life, have sex, and stray away from society. But it’s really not right for society to judge, because not all hippies were like that. Sure, there are definitely the drug addicts out there, but assuming that every individual you see barefoot and holding up a peace sign is one, is entirely ignorant.

The reputation hippies have for being utter pot heads, dropouts, and practically homeless slugs is unfortunate because many are well rounded and peaceful individuals who just want to promote peace, love and happiness. Many free spirits felt they could contribute more to society through their music, writing, art, and philosophies than by holding mainstream jobs. Working individuals are no better than the rock and roll legends, and vice versa, but each creature of the earth has a different impact on society than others, we just need to learn how to respect each others views. And resist the urge to judge!

Many are so against the hippie way of life because of the fact that it is predominantly based on individualism. Hippies go their own way, make their own choices and do what they want to do to make them as well as others happy by spreading positive vibes throughout the earth. From the perspective of a human being born in the urbanistic city life, this individualistic lifestyle can be seen as “breaking the rules” or even just being straight homeless! But if you think about it, how could you judge a person solely by how they look, when you don't even know a single thing about them. If your only judging by their appearance or reputation, think again. Without getting to know someone you would never know what their passions were. And who knows they could turn out to be a wonderful human being with a huge future ahead of them. You just never gave them the chance to be one.

Hippies, free spirits, or whatever else you choose to call them are free to do as they wish. The earth belongs to everyone and every living thing on it and the fact that many find it hard to treat our fellow humans with some respect at the least is quite difficult for me to wrap my head around.

Who cares if they have a different lifestyle than you? It’s their choice, not yours. In some ways lots of people today focus way too much on other people. How other people look. How they speak and present themselves, what they believe in, or just the simple things that make them happy. Focus on your own lives people! Judging each and every person that you pass by in the mall isn’t going to make you any better of a person, in fact it makes you worse. So maybe just think before the next time you’re beginning to judge someone for the way they look. Everyone is different and unique in their own way, but that is what makes us special. Be thankful that we have such a variety of minds, thoughts, personalities and beliefs, because without our diversity, our world would never grow.

Hippies are not bad, and not all are druggies or scumbags. Yes they are different, but that is what makes them who they are. Let the free spirits be free.