Beatnik Influence on American Culture
Words: 618 1401The Beatnik movement, which blossomed in the 1950s, stands as one of the most defining cultural phenomena of the 20th century in America. Originating from a group of disenchanted post-war writers and poets, the movement eschewed mainstream societal norms to embrace a lifestyle of improvisation, spiritual exploration, and artistic expression. The term "Beatnik" itself, coined by San Francisco columnist Herb Caen, initially carried a pejorative connotation, echoing the Soviet satellite Sputnik, thus portraying the Beats as both un-American and out […]