“Hippies, Bikers, and Greasers” : Youth in the 1960s

I have chosen to pay particular attention the second document located in this chapter. Although there is not information provided about the writer, according to the description located at the beginning of the document, it is an article title “Grass in Class” published in the February 17-24, 1971 edition of the Georgia Straight weekly news magazine that acted as the voice of youth. It was written after a group of Vancouver youths called the “Vancouver High School Underground” sent marijuana cigarettes to random students in the Vancouver area as an act of rebellion against their parents and teachers who prohibit this behaviour. The purpose behind this article as well as the free cigarettes was to prove that the students wanted a change to occur regarding the rules high schools as well as how they are taught. They want such things as the freedom to smoke grass at school, wear what they want, plan their own courses, skip class whenever they choose, as well as the freedom from grades. The writer refers to the high school as a prison when he states, “We are revolutionary High School students (prisoners) who believe that the time has come for a jail break. We are going to break free. We’re going to toke up in the halls, we’re going to dance in the classrooms, we’re going to neck or make love wherever we please.” (295).

The historical importance of this article as well as the rest of the chapter is that even in today’s society, this 1960s behaviour is often mimicked by youths. The behaviour of youths from the 1960s has been passed down from generations to generations. Although it may not be to the extent that it was then and although it may not be shown through protests, youths still rebel and strive for freedom of authority.

Additionally, this article is also important in that it provides today’s readers with knowledge on this decade and the fact that this is when teenagers first started acting as they do now. As stated in the introduction of the chapter,

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