
"And it's one, two, three
What are we fightin' for?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn
Next stop is Vietnam"
-I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag, Country
Joe McDonald
The "flower children" expressed their views on the war through various forms of art and music. They decorated their bodies with messages embracing love and denouncing war, wore clothes that were highly unconventional (sometimes made out of American flags), and lots of buttons with anti-war or thought provoking statements. They also put up many posters, both in their homes and on the streets. This was their way of expressing their views in a non-violent, peaceful but forceful way. The more visible their message was, the more it became the acceptable message in America. The anti-war message was also expressed through theater, though this was often "street theater", on the sidewalk or some other public forum. One major troupe who performed anti-war skits were the Diggers in San Francisco.
Another major way of expression was music. Songs about draft resistance, peace, and rebellion were all popular. Even everyday people, not just famous musicians, composed and sang songs about the state of society at the time. This music was played at anti-war demonstrations, like rallies, protests, or sit-ins. It was also played at concerts such as Woodstock or Altimont, and college dorms, communes, and even the radio. For example, Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie is a very amusing satircal account of draft resistance. Blowing in The Wind by Bob Dylan speaks of the importance of peace, and paying attention to what is happening. Joni Mitchell's The Fiddle and The Drum talks about how we resort to violence instead of talking and debating. Other songs, such as Soul Sacrifice and Volunteers were less poetic and more direct in their messages against the war.The music became some of the most long-lasting and memorable statements against the war.