Charles Manson's Use Of The Counterculture In The 1960s

Saturday, August 9, 1969. A day never to be forgotten by Angelenos, stained by the brutal murders of the Tate household. The murderers are known as the Hippie Cult of 1969 or the Manson Family. The latter given on account of the mastermind behind all the killings, Charles Manson. Few historians choose to neglect the part that the counterculture present in 1960s Los Angeles, plays in the formation of the cult. In essence, the counterculture characteristics, such as the culture in which young girls were impressionable, use of drugs, and musical influence are influential highlights that makes 1960s Los Angeles, CA, the perfect scenario for the Manson cult creation. The Baby Boom is the huge demographic increase following World War II, meaning

Because the drug alters perception of time and space and provokes psychedelic changes in reality, those using it are vulnerable, meaning, more likely to trust someone and accept ideas. The hippie cult would have reunions in which Manson himself would place LSD in each of the members’ mouths (making them feel, again, special) and then consume it himself (Bugliosi, p.570). Once they were all high and unguarded Manson would declare himself Jesus and sometimes even open his arms mimicking the crucifixion (Bugliosi, p. 570). The members are therefore drawn to him– a celestial being. The absurd extent that LSD use has when it comes to Manson gaining control over his followers can be seen by Dianne Lake, who is convinced that Manson could read her mind (Bugliosi, p. 279). Many members report to believe Charles is Jesus in Earth himself (Rogers). Ergo, the Family members have this deep appreciation and loyalty to Charles, and would do anything he wishes, including murder– afterall he is God. The participation of hallucinogenic drugs in Los Angeles during the counterculture days made it accessible and normal, hence, enabling its use by the cult. To demonstrate, Atkins even said that during her Manson years, she consumed LSD more than 300 times and “smoked, swallowed, shot up and snorted every other drug in sight” (Susan Atkins Interview). Perhaps, if drug use were not as common as it were in the 1960s, then these strong bonds between Manson and the members would not be as concrete, and Manson would have a tough time convincing students and young adults that he is Jesus. Furthermore, Manson also uses drugs alongside music to convince the rest of the cult of whatever he deems fit, for instance “Helter Skelter” and their role in the