Woodstock was the most well attended peaceful event that represented the counterculture of the 60s/70s. There are three primary beliefs of the counterculture. 1) pro-equal rights 2) anti-militarism 3) sharing and caring. The overarching ideal was “love one another as if they are your brother.”
In order to put faces to the equal rights movement, Woodstock chose Jimi Hendrix, a black man, to be a headlining act at Woodstock. Hendrix was never threatened or chastised; he was treated love and civility. He played the national anthem which was well received. It is said that it “rejuvenated” the weary, tired, cold, and hungry crowd. This was a monumental step in the equal rights movement because a black man was being paid to perform in front of 500,000 people at an event that was being broadcasted across the nation. Black attendees were not segregated from the rest of the crowd. The slept on the same small hill as everyone else, received as much drugs or sex as they felt necessary, and were fed (or underfed) as much as everyone else.
The 500,000 people who attended Woodstock did not argue or fight over food or shelter or any of their basic needs. By not fighting with one another, the attendees showed that 500,000 people, living in the mud without proper provisions, could get along with each other for three days. There was no need for violence as long as there was human connection, love, and understanding. Those who attended believed in anti-militarism because they were sick of the USA getting involved in unnecessary wars, such as the most recent Vietnam War. They were afraid of being drafted to fight for something they didn’t believe in.
The 500,000 attendees were crowded on 600 acres of land for three days. There was not sufficient shelter, food, water, or bathrooms to accommodate this number of people. So, they shared with each other because they cared for everyone’s well being. When someone was stuck in the rain without a tent or proper shelter, they would wrap each other in blankets and share tents. It was not uncommon to wake up with random people huddled against you for warmth.
While many mainstream media corporations portrayed Woodstock as a dangerous place of havoc, rampant with paraphernalia and sex (and yes, drug use and sex were large parts of Woodstock) it was merely a place to come together and share your beliefs in good company with great music.
In order to put faces to the equal rights movement, Woodstock chose Jimi Hendrix, a black man, to be a headlining act at Woodstock. Hendrix was never threatened or chastised; he was treated love and civility. He played the national anthem which was well received. It is said that it “rejuvenated” the weary, tired, cold, and hungry crowd. This was a monumental step in the equal rights movement because a black man was being paid to perform in front of 500,000 people at an event that was being broadcasted across the nation. Black attendees were not segregated from the rest of the crowd. The slept on the same small hill as everyone else, received as much drugs or sex as they felt necessary, and were fed (or underfed) as much as everyone else.
The 500,000 people who attended Woodstock did not argue or fight over food or shelter or any of their basic needs. By not fighting with one another, the attendees showed that 500,000 people, living in the mud without proper provisions, could get along with each other for three days. There was no need for violence as long as there was human connection, love, and understanding. Those who attended believed in anti-militarism because they were sick of the USA getting involved in unnecessary wars, such as the most recent Vietnam War. They were afraid of being drafted to fight for something they didn’t believe in.
The 500,000 attendees were crowded on 600 acres of land for three days. There was not sufficient shelter, food, water, or bathrooms to accommodate this number of people. So, they shared with each other because they cared for everyone’s well being. When someone was stuck in the rain without a tent or proper shelter, they would wrap each other in blankets and share tents. It was not uncommon to wake up with random people huddled against you for warmth.
While many mainstream media corporations portrayed Woodstock as a dangerous place of havoc, rampant with paraphernalia and sex (and yes, drug use and sex were large parts of Woodstock) it was merely a place to come together and share your beliefs in good company with great music.