Might as well begin by stating the obvious: all members of the counterculture, whether the draft resisters, women's libbers, black activists, or hippies- were unhappy with those in power in their government and society. These groups had different issues, but all were willing to take action to make their grievances known. Even the hippies changed their appearances and in some instances chose to drop out of society; a more passive approach maybe, but still actions that demonstrated their views.

Speeches, essays, and manifestos were tools of expression that most of the movements shared- from the eloquence of MLK Jr. to the Black Panthers Ten-Point Program; the New York Radical Women borrowed the idea from the latter and published their own ten points of protest against Miss America. Most groups had other symbolic items and gestures- peace signs, raised fists, the burning of draft cards... and music that reflected their causes.

And many of these factions had martyrs- Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, the Kent State students. Even Robert Kennedy was viewed as a martyr by liberals and the anti-war movement.

Unhappy. Willing to take action. Speeches, manifestos, symbols & music. Martyrs. Those are some common threads.