Judgemental attitudes and ignorance from people we love

Hmm, Ive have friends who I discuss the hippie lifestyle with... They seem to believe that people involved in this lifestyle are nothing but lazy people who live off of the government. They really have nothing to basis that on, so Id like to learn more about the rest of you so that I can have something to battle thier ignorance with. A "friend" of mine told me that hippie women have no class, have no dignity. How do we defend ourselves against such judgemental people?

 

A Hippy Apologist??? Good Luck!


The problem is that most people do not know how to step out of the subjective into the objective, that includes the speaker as well as the listener.

If this person believes what they want to believe no amount of good logic will change that. If that is the case don't waste your breathe.

In the same token there is no reason to not carry on civilized dialogue between the two you that may one day open the door for a deeper mutual understanding and respect of eachother. Just work on the common ground maybe a beautiful friendship will bloom forth.

 

Im not necessarily trying to debate with these people... but its hard to be around them every day and take their criticism (sp?) without wanting to say something back. Im not trying to change their mind about anything that they believe in but I do want respect, like any other human being. And really, what I want to know... is how to live my life without having to speak about it. I want people to see through my actions what I believe... and I am doing what I can but Im just thinking that it isnt good enough.

 

when it comes to things like this i get tired of explaning the reasons for the way i am and what i believe. I just say "believe what you wish and i will also. Just try not to diss people so much; if you might not have noticed it hurts people

 

Thanx for ur replies!

 

I'd add something about me, but it isn't really related to this. I have much bigger problems than stereotypes to face... It sounds like your friends don't even know what someone has to be like to be labeled a hippy; I take it as any open-minded individual who limitly conforms themselves to certain norms.

 

you really shouldn't care anyway. do what you want, think how you think, feel how you feel. If anyoe has a problem with that they aren't worth your time.

If you actually care what people think, I'd think about changing the label you placed on yourself.

 

Hmm, interesting. Well, I dont care what "label" anyone has put on themselves. Everyone deserves and wants respect. Thats all I'm asking for. And since posting this thread, Ive come to the realization that I DONT need thier respect, and if they cant respect who I am, I really dont want to have anything to do with them anyway. So thank you all for your replies. They have helped a lot.

 

First off, stop with the labels. I feel there is no such thing as the "hippie lifestyle". To me, it's a new counterculture. But that's me....

With that being said: people are generally ignorant towards countercultures, so you're going to take some shit for your beliefs, as most of us do from time to time. You shouldn't care so much about what people think about your life choices. Nothing will change their minds except maybe life experience.

 

if i knew, i would tell you, sorry though. just know you are not alone, well yeah i guess you are really.

 

hmm seems like SOME of you might be harboring some negativeness of your own

 

A friend of mine is racist. But generally he's a pretty nice guy, and I just sort of ignore the occasional racist remark. He thinks hippies are cool, especially since, as he puts it, "They'll smoke you out just for being friendly. Now THAT'S cool."

 

“Laziness" which we are not involved with doesn't matter in the question of how much do they participate into changes of society. Hippies are involving. It doesn't mean all are activists, but we are not lazy for changing a whole lifestyle for what we believe is the "right" path away from ignorant and prejudice-full behaviour they themselves are exposing? No!



As for the matter of their waist of time "grumbling" over your (our) "bad dressing", they should be happy for you (us) that you (we) have anything to wear at all and be aware that it is idiotism with such behaviour when some don't even have shoes to wear.

 

sorry, it is really contagious

 

But, the way that I deal with my friend who thinks I am a lazy dirty girl who does nothing but worship her Vagina and smoke dope, is...I just let him think that. It doesn't really bother me, since I know that it isn't true. I don't bother myself with what others think about me, and I find that life is much easier.

Instead, I go out and set an example of what this counterculture really is about: Kindness, compassion, humility. I try to be like Jesus(what a great man, and the original hippie too!) and I don't worry when people look down on me for it, because, just as with Jesus( I'm not a christian by today's standards, but I love me some Jesus :sunglasse ) people are going to dislike you for standing up and saying what you believe. Take it as a lesson in yourself to not be that way, since it bothers you, and instead accept others differences.

 

Umm, ignore the comments? Its more peaceful that way.

 

huh - i think maybe a little editing here... people are generally ignorant, so you're going to take some shit for your beliefs

here's some wise words from Kris Kristofferson - i love this song...

Egg Head's cousin Red Neck's cussin' hippies for their hair.​

Others laugh at straights who laugh at freaks who laugh at squares.​

Some folks hate the whites who hate the blacks who hate the clan.​

Most of us hate anything that we don't understand. ​

'Cos everybody's got to have somebody to look down on.​

Who they can feel better than at anytime they please.​

Someone doin' somethin' dirty, decent folks can frown on.​

If you can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me.​