During the Vietnam War era, liberalism was considered to be the counterculture. Being a liberal or left-leaning thinker was “cool, hip, and original.” The 1960s and 1970s were a time where American conservatism was the so-called “establishment.” Mainstream culture fed into conservative beliefs and values. Despite conservatism dominating the mainstream culture during this time period, evidence would suggest that in the last 15 years, this has flipped. Conservatism has replaced the liberalism of the ‘60s and ‘70s and is now the new counterculture.

Conservatism becoming the new counterculture was especially emphasized in the 2016 presidential election. Although the more conservative candidate won the election, so many Donald Trump supporters or conservatives have been depicted by the mainstream media or culture as racist, sexist and xenophobic bigots. In today’s society, conservatives are becoming alienated by the perception mainstream media outlets feed to the public. These mainstream media outlets include Snapchat, Buzzfeed and The Huffington Post. The media sources portray Trump, his cabinet and his supporters as regressive bigots. This is the reason conservatism is the new counterculture. The media demonizes conservative beliefs or values, like it did in the ‘60s and ‘70s toward liberalism.

Actors and celebrities especially go after the modern day conservative belief system. Hollywood actors such as Meryl Streep, Ashton Kutcher or Madonna actively attack President Trump and conservatism. Again, this is valid. These actors do have their right to the First Amendment. However, mainstream culture never seemed to demonize or attack former President Barack Obama and liberalism like it has done to President Trump and conservatism.

It seems apparent that there is an imbalance within modern culture between these different political ideologies. Conservative speakers Milo Yiannopoulos and Gavin McInnes have been unable to speak at college campuses because far-left individuals began riots stopping them from speaking. Liberalism is so widely accepted by American culture that conservative speakers are unable to share their opinions on government. Additionally, every weekend “Saturday Night Live” mocks Trump and his political moves, beliefs and values. SNL has the right to satirize anything they please. However, the constant mocking of Trump seems to be repetitive and clearly a partisan move. SNL didn’t nearly satirize Obama like it is doing to Trump. It seems clear that SNL is just trying to get across its political agenda to the public. By doing this they are promoting the dominant liberal culture. This is by no means what America wants to protect clear, distinct partisanship. America advocates for the freedom of ideas and speech and these attacks on conservatism are appalling and despicable.

Although there seems to be a type of demonization toward conservatism illustrated by the mainstream media and culture, individuals seem to be fighting back against it. More and more younger individuals have been considering themselves to be conservatives. That is because there will always be a backlash against the mainstream culture or the so-called “establishment.” It happened when conservatism was the establishment and it is bound to happen with liberalism. When one political ideology takes over the culture and the other is pushed into the shadows, ultimately the culture will shift toward the less dominant ideology. This phenomenon is similar to a principle found in a free market economy. If the economy is in bad shape, eventually it will natural revert to a better state. Naturally, there will be a conservative take over, putting conservatism back into the spotlight of American culture.

With certain political ideologies always dominating the mainstream culture, division ultimately develops. Division is by no means a positive aspect within American culture. Political division pushes individuals apart and ultimately forces certain individuals to become extremely partisan. Specific political ideologies grabbing the mainstream culture divides the country and only brings negative consequences.