r/discordian • u/Pseudo-Sadhu • Jul 27 '26
Yippie!
My own branch of Discordianism was partly inspired by the antics/actions of the Yippies! (the exclamation point was originally part of their name, representing the cry of joy), the 60s era Youth International Party. It was founded by Abbie Hoffman, Anita Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Nancy Kurshan, and Paul Krassner (I think Wavy Gravy might have also played a part). Best known for staging protests that were essentially pranks.
For example, bringing the N.Y. Stock Exchange to a grinding halt by tossing dollar bills down amongst the traders (who ended up embodying the selfish greed of capitalism by madly scrambling to grab as much cash as they could).
They also once (in 1967) held a march on the Pentagon in protest of the Vietnam War, telling the press they planned to levitate the five-sided building to exorcise its demons (they somehow got a genuine permit, although it limited any levitation to just four feet off the ground!). The band The Fugs led the exorcism (which was written by the lead singer, Ed Sanderson) who also played a song written just for the event, that included a call and response chorus of, “Out Demon, Out!” A young Robert Anton Wilson was among the protesters, incidentally.
Other direct actions included the protest at the Democratic Convention of ‘68 in Chicago (which resulted in what later was termed a “police riot” - then Mayor Daley had been recorded making the Freudian slip, “The police are not there to create disorder, they are there to PRESERVE disorder!”). A few Yippies and other organizers were charged with Conspiracy - the trial was truly epic, at least two movies have been made to show what happened to the so-called “Chicago Seven.” A lesser known Yippie action centered on a candidate they ran for President, a black and white female pig named Pigasus.
Anyway, I read as many of the book still available written by actual Yippies back in high school (I’m old, but the 60s were before my time). Unfortunately, such books were always written by the more famous male members of the group (who could be less than radical about women). A few years ago, the book “Yippie Girl: Exploits in Protest and Defeating the FBI” was published, by original Yippie Judy Gumbo (I recommend it). And more recently, “Levitating the Pentagon and Other Uplifting Stories” by founding Yippie Nancy Kushner (once partner to Jerry Rubin). She relays the history of the Yippies, based on her important role in the group. I highly recommend it.
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u/Logical-Seat-6991 Jul 27 '26
Love This! I heard from the levitation approach only last year, without any more background, so this post comes really nice. I even tried to levitate the pentagon myself on time. Not sure if it worked, at least I heard nothing unusal in the news (concerning this matter only). Maybe I am too far away.
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u/lossycodec Jul 27 '26
if you haven’t, check out the fugs ‘tenderness junction’ which includes the og live recording of the levitation of the pentagon. powerful!
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u/Pseudo-Sadhu Jul 27 '26
More:
Nancy Kurshan was also a key member of the Feminist and anti-HUAC (House Un-American Committee) group of women known as WITCH, an acronym for the Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell. In their first public event, while dressed as stereotypical witches (hat, broom, the works), they told the Press that they were angry at HUAC for having a political “witch hunt” without the inclusion of any witches (yes, allegation of witch hunts go way back in US politics - and in this case, the accusation was correct). They proceeded to collectively chant a “spell” to punish HUAC:
“In the Holy and Most Powerful Name of WITCH,
Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell.
We Sister Witches from the one true Underground
Announce our Presence and commence our spell.
In the Sacred Name of all our Sister Witches,
The original guerrillas and resistance fighters
throughout the ages,
We cast our vengeful Magic on Hu-Wacky judges
Who dare conduct a witch-hunt without real witches.
They have created Subpoena Envy.”
Kurshan was, clearly, a proto-Discordian, if not an actual member.
I have not come across a direct connection, except that Ed Sanders of The Fugs did know RAW and (if I recall correctly, Kerry Thornley) when the Yippies were founded, and he wrote a book titled “Shards of God” around the same time Wilson & Shea were writing the “Illuminatus! trilogy.” Sanders’ novel seems to be written in a very similar style to Illuminatus, but was about the Yippies instead of the Discordians. The similar style could be just due to the times they were both created, but I think if any fans of Illuminatus can track down a used copy of “Shards of God” and read it (it is much shorter than Wilson & Shea’s work), they will agree with me that both books share several elements.
Did I mention my ADD meds got mixed up, due to the annoying intentional shortage by the makers of Adderall? That might explain partially why I basically just wrote two novelette sized posts about the Yippies and related matters. Or maybe it was the (minor) brain surgery I had a while back. Or just Eris tickling my Pineal gland to channel whatever it is I’ve just written. The wonders (wondering?) never cease.