I came upon a child of god.
He was walking along the road.
And I asked him, where are you going?
And this he told me,
I’m going on down to Yasgurs farm.
I’m going to join in a rock and roll band.
I’m going to camp out on the land.
I’m going to try an get my soul free.
We are stardust.
We are golden.
And we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.
— Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock”
And Target is hoping that the half-a-million strong find there way back to their nearest store and stock up on some nostalgia in the form of beach towels, candles, mugs, picture frames and of course replicas of the original posters.
When the brightly colored picture frame caught my eye I was thinking this is pretty cool.
I love the logo with the chubby white dove perched on the neck of a guitar. “Maybe my sister Janet would like this.” (who was in fact a bona fide hippie).
Then I realized how ridiculous it was. This is what we have come to or should I say this is where we are still at forty years later?
The almighty buck. Countless inexpensive merchandise made in China. Let’s relive the summer of love and say how much can we charge for that “trip” back.
Many of those sweaty people at that farm in Bethel, New York truly believed in a different way. A way in which consumerism wasn’t king, and there could be real peace on Earth, an Earth that we take care of instead of abuse. Some I’m sure was just looking for some good pot and definitely some amazing music. Woodstock was a time in history that as much as we would like we cannot recreate. It was (forgive me for using an overused term) an organic shared moment.
According to one article Michael Lang, one of the original promoters, doesn’t want anyone else to do concerts or festivals celebrating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. even though he hasn’t exactly gotten it together to have a 2009 Woodstock himself. (see the New York Times article) So make sure your have Lang’s permission to say words like “peace” or “love” this summer…and you may have to pay for it too.
Lets really try to find our way back to the garden and think about where that $5.99 frame came from. Check out the Story of Stuff video.
During Woodstock Joni Mitchell dreamed she saw bombers riding shotgun in the sky and they were turning into butterflies. Now forty years later we all wish the bombers were beautiful butterflies, but no such luck. You know they paved paradise and put in a parking lot (for a Super Target so you go and buy a hippie costume.)
I was born a decade to late for the hippie movement. In the late 80’s early 90’s I found myself adopting the morals, ideals, music, and clothing from the late 1960’s. I was a totally granola hippie chick until I got married and my husband did not like it. I read everything I could get my hands on about that time period. (Actually I just wrote a paper on how the hippie movement changed America). So sorry Georgia…but I bought a Woodstock t-shirt from Target today. Unfortunately it is the closest I can get to the real thing. Oh and I also grew up in Woodstock IL.
Hey no need to apologize, I think the Woodstock stuff is pretty cool especially the t-shirts. It just made me think. I’m not sure how I can become a better consumer, but it is something I want to work on. I hope there will be a Woodstock-like event in our time. May just be wishful thinking.
I love this and totally agree with the sentiment, even though I was obviously way too young to remember the 60s. I was actually at Target recently and I pick up a set of glasses that were ‘peace’ themed and woodstock branded. I though they looked awesome. Then a few minutes later, I was like, why I am paying for this consumerist replica?
Also, have you seen New Orleans: Made In China? The story of stuff reminded me of it. It’s a really good documentary!
We will get ourselves back to the garden and there will be another true Woodstock when Mother Earth gives birth to the dimension. Then there will be peace. Then there will be love. Then we will see that we truly are ALL One. If you want high consciousness, be high consciousness. If you want peace, be peace. Look to the Divine in whatever form you choose. When the Door opens, fly through it. Love those who don’t love you. Everyone is a child of the Divine. Peace and Love.