Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Flower Power
Oct 2, 2024
The podcast dives into the vibrant roots of flower power, linking it to 1960s political activism and the protests against the Vietnam War. It reveals how a poet's whimsical protest strategies redefined resistance with a message of peace. The focus shifts to the evolution of the movement, showcasing its transformation from genuine activism to commercialization. The podcast also dives into the rich culture of Haight-Ashbury and its symbolic fashions, alongside the enduring legacy of flower power and its resonance in popular culture.
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Ginsberg's Advice
- In 1965, Allen Ginsberg advised Berkeley students on their protest against restrictions on political speech.
- His essay, "Demonstration or Spectacle [...] or How to Make a March Slash Spectacle," suggested using flowers as a visual spectacle.
Subverting War Psychology
- Ginsberg's idea was to subvert the psychology of war by creating new rules of engagement.
- Instead of violence, he recommended using whimsical items like flowers, toys, and candy to disarm counter-protesters.
March on the Pentagon
- The students' protest was successful, and the approach was adopted in anti-Vietnam War protests.
- A famous photo from the 1967 march on the Pentagon depicts a protester placing a daisy in a soldier's gun barrel.