With an increasing number of organic
juice bars, yoga classes, and art museums, a new social hierarchy has slowly
been evolving- the hipsters. Musically,
socially, and fashionably entranced by their wide rimmed glasses, cut-off
high-waisted shorts and untamed hair, these hipsters are taking over the
internet and stocking supermarket shelves with kale and quinoa.
Hipsters are the common form of the 1960’s flower children. Attending music festivals, dressing in loose clothes and, as expected, wearing flowers in their hair, the counterculture is making a comeback. One of the most popular concerts hipsters will join is the Coachella Music Festival in Los Angeles, California. A personal goal, this is a three-day extravaganza in the desert listening to the most famous independent artists and bands. Listeners are provided with tents or can camp out in their own vehicles. Coined indie, these bands are not signed to a specific record label or company, having the authority to break away from mainstream trends and styles. Groups featured are The Shins, The Strokes, Modest Mouse, and MGMT. To these artists, Coachella is the ultimate goal. The Woodstock of modern independent music.
The most common misconception about hipsters is that they are all weed smoking, dropout related vegans. They are not. But they also do not sit behind a computer all day staring at pictures of Starbucks coffee cups on Tumblr or live in a basement, unemployed, surviving off of their parents trust funds. One could, however, argue that those of the “27 club” were hipsters. Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, and Amy Winehouse were leading the music industry during their times, creating compositions unlike their musical counterparts. Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs, two technological pioneers, are also hipsters. Changing the world through communication when obsolete colleagues failed, these men lead the world to efficiency and rejoice.
A hipster is not a rebel. For example, just because Kylie Jenner can cornrow her hair and contour her face to make her lips look like she has had injections is not acceptable. Her incohesive and inconsistent style that tries to be rebellious is not hipster quality. Many cultured males see the fakeness as a window to low self-esteem and a lack of open-mindedness. One of the most well known hipsters is Vanessa Hudgens. With her bohemian clothing and laid back style, she is looked up to, a queen in a way. Much like Lana Del Rey, her red lipped, open personality is a character trait that almost all aspiring hipsters look up to.
Hipsters are progressive thinking, racially un-swayed successful young adults trying to change the cemented mindset of those who are stuck in the past.
Their philosophy continues into social settings. The typical male stereotype of a muscular tan athlete that the media will convince to the public as the ideal husband is discouraged in the hipster subculture. In many instances, this will be seen as misogynistic and condescending. People come in all types of shapes, colors, personalities and should be accepted for who they are, not what the press wants them to be.
With many definitions spiraling the internet, a hipster is someone that is down to earth and resembles an open mind. Although the meaning can be very opinionated, personally, a hipster can think without feeling judged, dress comfortably in vintage related attire or even in a decorated polo with a bowtie and “man bun”. A trendsetter.
One of the most common jobs a hipster has will be related to liberal arts. Due to their disdain for the conventional, they will accentuate their love for counter-culture and seek free thinking jobs such as those in music, art and fashion industries. This freedom gives hipsters the power to make their own rules, not just follow the mainstream notions of the majority.
Due to the tolerant attitude of hipsters many will protest for feminism and the ability for each person to make decisions based on their own beliefs. Although some can exaggerate that females are superior to men, feminism is simply the belief that both genders are equal. Equal socially, economically and politically. To some males, like those of fraternities and other dominant male organizations find that empowerment of women is a threat to their masculinity. However, hipsters are accepting that all humans are alike and should be given a fair chance.
People like Margaret Sanger, and Susan B. Anthony could even be argued as hipsters. The forward thinking women were the first for fight for women’s rights as equals. Sanger advocated for birth control and opened the first Planned Parenthood. The women changed the societal norms to what is seen as common sense in today’s world.
The word hipster had its first official use after the women of feminism had their spotlight. Being used in 1940 to describe those that were interested in jazz, the new music style was welcomed with open arms to the subculture of progressives. But the word is more then just a person; it can be a notion, an act or an idea, much like the journey of music.
Traveling from jazz during the 40’s to psychedelic rock in the 60’s, the hipster genre has forever been transforming. The subliminal meanings of the songs shaped the countercultures message to the world, peace is the answer. Songs like “For What It’s Worth,” “Saigon Bride” and “Bring ‘em Home” carried the message of anti-war efforts that the flower children were feeling. Much like the word beauty, that what was once referred to as beautiful in the renaissance was not beautiful during the 1920’s, when flappers were first introduced. The voluptuous and shapely women of the 12th century with long hair were replaced by thin, short haired girls of the early 1900’s.
After making a debut at Woodstock, the genre turned again, from classic rock to grunge rock in the 1990’s. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead and Weezer all showed the world that rock and roll is more than just the British Invasion. Those that had been practicing for years in a garage, blowing speakers and exploding fuse boxes, had created something that the new generation could listen to. Many hipster stereotypes come from these bands. Lead singers slowly poisoning themselves with dirty needles and provocative jean shorts, the word became a controversial topic in the 90’s. Many questioned the innovativeness of the bands due to their destructive paths. This music is possibly the highlight of rock and roll but, with negative themes and verses, the term was given a damaging connotation.
Saved by modern music, though, indie rock has brightened the way for hipster music. It has once again found its home in folk-like tunes. The lyrics challenge its listeners to look outside their conformity and question what is going on in the world around them.
Much like any other word, hipster, has multiple means. It can be a person, a trend or an idea. The word has changed as it has been put through the societal “ringer”. However, one thing has stayed the same through out all human history: hipsters are leaders. They are the brains of the future. No, most hipsters will not be the next lawyers or doctors or even presidents of the United States. They will be the ones creating new trends, new music, new fashion lines, new technologies, and most importantly, new ideas.
So, instead of rolling your eyes at the barista at Starbucks with the curled mustache, be optimistic in thinking that he could be the next Steve Jobs or Kurt Cobain. Chances are, he is the most open minded person you could meet that day, and, with a society full of Kylie Jenner’s, we need forward thinkers.
