HAIR POST 9/11

The 60’s were a period of great hope. Even after the shock of Jack Kennedy’s assassination his mantra of the future continued to stimulate youth - those young in spirit besides those young in body. Those of the Movement felt we had a real chance to bring Peace and Love to the world. Freedom was the passion. Spiritualism was the driving power. Compassion was a rule and the Environment a concern. Many were in states of altered consciousness arrived through various disciplines including, for the impatient, mind elevating substances.

Towards the end of the 60’s hope was changing to fear. Many felt that we in the USA were heading for another Civil War. HAIR arrived at this time to be a beacon of hope through a dialogue between the generations. The arch was broken to bring the audience into the tribe. HAIR explained many of the problems facing the world as seen by the young. We were attacked by both the radical Left and the radical Right.

The murder of Martin Luther King, then Robert Kennedy, the riots at Columbia University began to change fear to rage. An example was the actions of the Yuppies who set up Mayor Daley at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. We warned the mayor this was going to happen. He could not believe that the violence was a planned event. The paranoid reaction of the authorities is what gave us Richard Nixon as president. Force on all sides began to strip the power of our spiritual quest. Then we had Kent State.

Realization began to set in that those of the Movement could not prevail against the Establishment. We did not know how to run or to be within the system. Many began to drop out. A new mantra, instead of “Om” the saying became ”Getting our shit together”. Materialism began to become paramount. A job was the rule, working for the establishment, and pursuing such dreams as a white picket yard surrounding a suburban house.

Extremism is such a rule in this country. The next step was “Greed is good”. Ushered in was a period of the pursuit of wealth which made the times of the robber barons seem benign. Free Trade, a drive against world poverty has been corrupted by globalization. Organized religions are increasingly influenced by fundamentalism. The planet is damaged by insensitive use of our natural resources. The gap between the poor and the rich gets larger. The world is awash with corrupt governments. In this country we are ruled by a regime whose election remains questioned.

Americans are faced with a spiritual crisis - a bereavement of spirit. So much seems wrong, one crisis after another. We have been struck by a vicious act of terror. We do not understand where such hatred comes from. In our isolation and unilateral government, perception has it that we don't care about the problems of the world. Our supposed economic miracle is coming unglued. Corporate misadventures and executive greed have plundered the savings of many. Our own indulgences in the economic bubble have brought about serious financial problems. We lack leadership and statesmanship which allows us to feel confident about the future.

There is strong feeling, or at least a hope that something or someone will appear to lead us out of the wilderness. Meanwhile the best solution is that we have to lead ourselves. Each person needs to do what they can to help the problems of the community, the nation, and the world. We are all one. Everyone can do something to improve our planet physically, mentally and spiritually. At least reduce the mess we are leaving the young.

The tribes of HAIR can do quite a bit towards these endeavors. Individually, collectively and through the show we will be in a unique position to carry such messages. So many people over the world have seen HAIR, more than any musical, and they remember it well. HAIR continues to be performed in many colleges and high schools. Young people want to know the truth about the 60’s and their fore bearers want to relive those days.

Those who have experienced altered forms of consciousness, by whatever means, never forget that space in which they have been. Now they have learned how to function within the system. It is time they act to run it.