CONTEXT FOR THIS POST: When I first started blogging, I used Hippie Hermana as a blog title and alias. I still like this post, but have since moved on to blogging under my own name. The “hippie” archetype no longer resonates, and I no longer feel the need to use an alias, but the sentiments behind this post still stand.
I chose to call this blog Hippie Hermana, because who doesn’t love a little bit of alliteration? I also think that this is a fitting title because of what these two words mean to me on their own, as well as together.
The word hippie started as the name of the counter-culture movement of the 1960s, but since then it has evolved to encapsulate a quintessentially groovy, flower-child image. To me, a hippie is a free spirit. Someone who isn’t afraid to love freely, and who wants the best things for our people and for our planet. Like the hippies of the past, I too believe that peace and love are essential in the globalized society that we live in today. I also believe in activism and the power of one. I believe that non-violent resistance is an effective way to inspire small changes in our world, and that these small changes can and do add up to make a difference.
We’re each one person, but imagine the impact that we could make if we all created just a bit of change. What could we accomplish if we all tried in some small way, here or there? Together we the people are a force to be reckoned with, but we can’t forget that a part of that is personal accountability, and making sure that we are mindfully participating in the world and society around us.
To me, being a hippie in modern times means rising to the challenge, and doing our part. To me, it’s about opting out of the mindless existence that we are often encouraged to live. Opting out of that distracted, apathetic state. It’s about opting out of being a part of the problem, and trying to be a part of the solution instead.
Together we the people are a force to be reckoned with, but we can’t forget that a part of that is personal accountability, and making sure that we are mindfully participating in the world and society around us.
The word “Hermana” means sister in Spanish. I chose this because I was inspired by a very creative and soulful friend. She called herself my hermana, reminding me that even though we don’t share a parent, we’re still family. She told me that she liked to see herself as an hermana because it’s all of us against the world, after all. We’re all human beings, and we’re all in this shit together. In the grand scheme of things, we are all family.
I do feel a genuine kinship to my fellow human beings. Just knowing how devastating and painful the human experience can be at times, is reason enough to try and treat all people with genuine love and respect. That is my opinion and how I would like to live my life. I am not always perfect at this, but it is my goal to treat all of my fellow humans like we’re family.
Beyond the obvious meaning behind referring to myself as your “hippie sis,” I also wanted to use the spanish form of the word “sister” to stand together with my brothers and sisters of color. It has come to my attention that, in the divided society we live in, speaking in a different language can be a somewhat radical act.
Because there are unfortunately a lot of racists in our country, I wanted to use a word in my blog title that might help me weed those people out. I try to still have love for hateful people, but I am all for helping those people practice living outside of their comfort zone.
By using this non-english word, I am stating upfront that this is a safe space for people of color, immigrants, and undocumented folks who may not necessarily always choose to speak in English, even though they might very well know how. Speaking in a different language is not a crime, and is not a justification for harassment. I suppose by using “hermana” instead of “sister” in my blog title, I am daring anyone to assume anything about me.
I come from a place of privilege. While I’m a proud Chicana, and I’m extremely happy to celebrate my Mexican heritage, I am also half white. It’s undeniable that I have a complexion and features that grant me a lot of privilege.
When others suffer at the receiving end of institutional racism and even unconscious prejudice, my whiteness grants me a literal and figurative “get out of jail free card.” I wanted to stick with “Hippie Hermana,” because I want to state my mixed identity proudly, and stand together with the people of color within my family and community.
I could probably get more clicks by presenting and passing this blog off as being written by your run of the mill, tree-hugging, trust funded, hippie chick. You know the one, who blogs about “love and light,” and her super perfect (and expensive) eco-friendly lifestyle, all from the comfort of her pristine, minimalist apartment.
I could probably get more clicks by presenting and passing this blog off as being written by your run of the mill, tree-hugging, trust funded, hippie chick.
I could probably get more people to read what I write if I was willing to present my point of view in a way that is more palatable to everyone. I’d wager that this entire project might be more well received if it (and I myself) were more instagrammable, in general.
Maybe so, but it’s not who I am, and not at all how I want to be perceived. I don’t want to contribute to the unattainable images and personas which seem to exist only to make us feel inadequate. I would rather show how possible it is for normal people (like me) to make small changes in our individual lives, which can result in big improvements to our collective lives.
Another reason I’ve chosen “hermana” is because I would prefer to proudly state which side I’m on in an unfortunate moment in our society, when being different is not always celebrated, especially by people who love to tell black and brown Americans to “go back to their country.” I’m extremely proud of who I am and where my family comes from. Anyone ignorant enough to chant “build the wall,” needs to know how many of us would still be on this side of it, fighting to tear it back down.
I chose “Hippie Hermana” for the people who hate on any one based on how they look, how they love, where they are from, or how they identify. It’s for anyone who dislikes brown and black people, or who disagrees that black lives matter, and for anyone not fighting for equal rights and equal social treatment between all races, religions, sexualities, genders, and identities. It’s a message, to state loud and clear where I stand on racism and bigotry. Because I feel that we do not need to be exactly the same to love one another and treat each other like family, I stand with my people.
So that’s why. Sure, I could say with my blog title that I’m your “hippie sis” but I’d rather be extremely clear that I’m your hermana, and no matter who you are and what language you prefer to speak, you are welcome on my blog and in my life, because we are family.
While this blog currently has one author to get it started (me), I would eventually like to create a space where guests can also share their efforts and experiences. I want to build a community garden of sorts, where we can sow and grow all kinds of ideas to help inspire a positive change.
I’m really excited, so thanks for being here.
If you think you might like to join my hippie fam, and write a post on any topic that you think might fit here, please contact me! I’ll be creating posts of my own regularly, but I would also love to share your point of view.
Corrina Angel 
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