MACHO MEN AND HIPPIES

We have just witnessed another Super Bowl and its elaborate half time show. I always find these events attract me, even though I am not a football fan, and at the same time they repulse me. I am not sure I can explain this dichotomy of emotion, I can only confess to the experience.

I suppose the negative aspect is the machismo exhibited by the players - their excessive masculine behaviour, their tattoos (peacock tails!), their fertility dances after they give birth to a touch down. As the cartoon says "Manly Guys Doing Manly Things".  Of course juxtaposed are the dancing/singing girls with their 'wardrobe malfunctions'. Add to this the upright goal posts and the guys trying to kick the ball between them - the sexual overtones definitely stir up the testosterone. Perhaps it is just a feeling I have but the whole package seems to promote the supposed superiority of the male. 

On the other hand the opportunity for the spectators to display their emotions in public without fear of criticism or retaliation, at least to my way of thinking, is a good thing. The tailgate parties and the camaraderie engendered there builds friendships. The bodily flight from the daily stresses of life, is forgotten as fans are caught up in the excitement and exuberance of the moment. (Unless they leave the controlled environment and take their anger out on the street!) It is like an emotional 'workout' and the participants can leave feeling refreshed afterwards even when the home team loses.

The Hippie Movement in the 60's was a turning away from that "tough guy" image and recognized the female side of the male. Since we get our genes from both parents (genetic correlations) we share, for the most part, some characteristics of both sexes. Many of the ideas from that movement had a profound influence on the youth of the day. Indeed, some members carried on for years. We all remember the Woodstock Festival or the Altamont Musical Festival in1969 that attracted 300,000 youth. Then there were the Yippies at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago where they nominated Lyndon Pigasus Pig (a real pig!) for president! I was attending university in Chicago in those days and have to admit I was greatly moved, not so much by their antics and flamboyant lifestyle, but their notion of the uniqueness of each and every individual and the great dream that we could live together in peace if we really made the effort. As the existentialists would say -  allow being to be.

The Dirty Hippie

That summer I returned to my home town to visit family and friends. One aunt, when I went to her house welcomed me with, "Get out of here you dirty Hippie". I don't think she appreciated my blue jeans and sweat band!

That interval in history came to an end and now, once again, violence,  greed (the almighty dollar) and machismo seem to rule the world.

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week