I hadn't read this aspect of transcendentalism where it finally sunk in enough today to understand this philosophy that I was raised with. It's not at all about being a follower of any religion or government and instead thinking for yourself and of being a free thinker. I'm not sure my father realized when he raised me this way that I would see so clearly that All religions including his own tended to be hypocritical as churches so that I would have to go it alone in many ways to have integrity with myself and all beings. Even though in some ways this is a lonely path at least I can respect myself and the people I choose to have in my life.
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https://blog.eyewire.org/emerson-vs-thoreau-transcendentalist-battle/#:~:text=Ralph%20Waldo%20Emerson%20and%20Henry,was%20a%20student%20of%20his.
Emerson was a prolific essayist, with his most famous essay titled “Self-Reliance.” In this essay Emerson concludes that individualism is an important goal to strive for, and that conformity with institutions such as government, religious institutions, and and other organized groups should be discouraged. He encourages solitude to reflect on one’s self, and belief in your own moral compass above the prevailing social mores of the time.
end partial quote.
The 1960s 1970s and 1980s specifically reflected this rugged individualistic approach to life where if someone tells you to jump you don't jump. Instead you ask "Why?"
Because if you don't ask "Why?" then you demonstrate yourself to be a fool, a slave and ignorant whoever you are worldwide.
And when you ask "Why?" if they hit you or hurt you you know that they are wrong and that you might need to go somewhere else to survive your life.
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