Paper Title
How the East took over the West: Hippie culture, eastern modernity and the queer movement
Location
Room 223, DiGiorgio Campus Center (DiGs)
Start Date
2-4-2016 3:30 PM
End Date
2-4-2016 4:45 PM
Abstract
The contextual analysis of different eastern authors that have constantly been belittled by the west has an interesting impact on literature. In this essay I will demonstrate the different aspects of intersectionally explored in the counterculture “hippy” or “bohemian” lifestyles. The importance of this in current society is ever growing, because of the “hippy” lifestyle that has somehow made a large comeback in the 21st century. Ancient Eastern religions, specifically focusing on the Hindu and Buddhist origins in India, have encouraged the formation of a subculture in the West known as ‘hippie culture’. Over the course of many years this counterculture has emerged with ideals and practices that have Eastern heritages. The underlying question in this counterculture is: What is the intendment of the hippie movement and exactly how has Eastern culture influenced it in such profound ways? Without the insight of queer authors such as Chu Tien-Wen in the Bodhittsava Incarnate and the heavy influence of eastern cultures and modernity there would be no such “hippy” counterculture in the United States. The appropriation of eastern culture and religion has suddenly become a problem.
These movements have taken ancient eastern religions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, and incorporated them into everyday life and created a representation that is belittling to these religions communities. It is important to understand these subcultures in history, not only because they represent cultural appropriation of eastern lifestyles and religion, but also how it correlates to queer culture and the assumption of women’s bodies as a commodity.
How the East took over the West: Hippie culture, eastern modernity and the queer movement
Room 223, DiGiorgio Campus Center (DiGs)
The contextual analysis of different eastern authors that have constantly been belittled by the west has an interesting impact on literature. In this essay I will demonstrate the different aspects of intersectionally explored in the counterculture “hippy” or “bohemian” lifestyles. The importance of this in current society is ever growing, because of the “hippy” lifestyle that has somehow made a large comeback in the 21st century. Ancient Eastern religions, specifically focusing on the Hindu and Buddhist origins in India, have encouraged the formation of a subculture in the West known as ‘hippie culture’. Over the course of many years this counterculture has emerged with ideals and practices that have Eastern heritages. The underlying question in this counterculture is: What is the intendment of the hippie movement and exactly how has Eastern culture influenced it in such profound ways? Without the insight of queer authors such as Chu Tien-Wen in the Bodhittsava Incarnate and the heavy influence of eastern cultures and modernity there would be no such “hippy” counterculture in the United States. The appropriation of eastern culture and religion has suddenly become a problem.
These movements have taken ancient eastern religions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, and incorporated them into everyday life and created a representation that is belittling to these religions communities. It is important to understand these subcultures in history, not only because they represent cultural appropriation of eastern lifestyles and religion, but also how it correlates to queer culture and the assumption of women’s bodies as a commodity.
