"If you don't have something on your car, what are you doing here?"

[pdx.mothernurture]

...asked Matthew Hess of MGMBill.Org at the 9th International Symposium on Circumcision, Human Rights, and Genital Integrity in Seattle this past week.

So, I thought I'd ask everyone here as well: Do you have a pro-intact/anti-circumcision bumpersticker? Why or why not? And if you do, what does it say and where did you get it?

Cars are moving billboards, and I think putting a bumpersticker on your car is one of the easiest, least expensive, most effective forms of provoking thought/research on this topic.

A friend made me a custom sticker for my burgundy Nissan Altima awhile back, that has a purple background and white lettering that says, "Circumcision? No way baby!"

While at the symposium, I purchased another from Norm Cohen of Michigan NoCirc that is blue and white and says, "Today's Parents say NO to Circumcision. nocirc.org". I would like to encourage---challenge, even---any intactivists who have not yet taken this outward step of expressing your views about circumcision to please, please, please make a commitment to putting a pro-intact/anti-circ bumpersticker on your car.

If we really believe what we say we do, it's certainly the least we can do...KWIM?

Just do it!

Jen

[KrystalC]

I was looking for one locally, but who am I kidding? I'm in friggin Oklahoma! Not likely I'm going to find one around here! I am planning to buy one online though, probably on Friday when my husband and I get paid!

[Elyra]

I don't put any stickers on my car, but I would put a magnet if you know of some where that makes those.

[SammyJr]

I live in the Midwest and am super paranoid about one of the babycutters around here getting offended and slashing tires/keying the car. Also, I work at a hospital and am concerned about offending the people in charge of profits and extra unneeded procedures.

[iris0110]

I got one free from tlc tugger. It is blue backgroud with white letters and says Bring home your whole baby. Say No to circumcision! As soon as we bought my car I put it on.

[Nathan1097]

I wasn't there this time, nor do I have bumperstickers on my car. My OLD car, however, I DID have at least 3 or 4 anti-circ bumper stickers and I took it to the symposium in 2002.

[dnr3301]

I don't have one, yet. I've been thinking about it more and more lately. I think it's a great way to start conversations, plus, doulasarah and I are often at the same places, so people would see more than one car with stickers and I think it would make even more of a point.

But... I've never really had bumper stickers. I just don't like them. I'm not worried about anything, I just don't want stickers on my car. Maybe a plastic sticky cling on one, but no stickers.

I'll get over it soon, I'm sure. I just want a different one than Sarah, but I want it catchy and to the point. I gotta think of something.

[ramlita]

What are some of your favorite sources for stickers and magnets?

[Ivan's Mom]

There are a bunch of threads about bumperstickers here in this forum.

I have two:

On top say:
Circumcision -
his body, his rights

below says:
Circumcision is
NOT a parents right

Here is the latest thread with a lot of great links to get stickers and stuff:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...bumperstickers

I have lots to say and I use my car as a moving billboard!

[Kathryn]

I don't currently have any on my car since we just bought a new car and I've not replinished my supply of stickers yet. I will very soon have a bunch on though.

[Shenjall]

We dont have a bumper sticker but we do have a magnet on our fridge. I made it myself.

But, I accept your challenge! Off to find one........

[ramlita]

Originally Posted by Ivan's Mom

There are a bunch of threads about bumperstickers here in this forum.

Sorry. That was lazy of me. : Thanks!

[pdx.mothernurture]

Originally Posted by KrystalC

I was looking for one locally, but who am I kidding? I'm in friggin Oklahoma! Not likely I'm going to find one around here! I am planning to buy one online though, probably on Friday when my husband and I get paid!

Hehe, no...not likely to find one locally, even on the West Coast unless you are attending some sort of crunchy midwivery/parenting conferrence...or, occasionally at a Baby Fair if NoCirc is exibiting.

Good for you for comitting to ordering one!

Originally Posted by Elyra

I don't put any stickers on my car, but I would put a magnet if you know of some where that makes those.

I think you can apply any type of bumpersticker to a magnet, as long as your bumper is magnetic. Another option might be a window-cling, or a license-plate holder---cafepress.com has lots of styles, or you can choose a custom-slogan/style.

Originally Posted by SammyJr

I live in the Midwest and am super paranoid about one of the babycutters around here getting offended and slashing tires/keying the car. Also, I work at a hospital and am concerned about offending the people in charge of profits and extra unneeded procedures.

One of the biggest challenges in activism is finding the courage to speak up/out. It is kinda scary; while I haven't personally heard of tire-slashing or other such harassment, I can understand your fears of retaliation. However, if we really consider this a human rights abuse...if we really believe it causes permanent harm/damage to children...how can we stay silent? When I think about the history of other human rights abuses and how progress/change was achieved, it was because a few brave souls stepped up to the plate and others naturally followed suit.

No type of activism is without risk, because anything that is worth fighting for is inherrently controversial. Even at the symposium, there was a person who was acting suspiciously and had a few of us concerned. This lead to discussion about whether what we were doing was worth the risk of putting ourselves/our identities 'out there' in a public forum, and we agreed that it was.

Working in a hospital is especially challenging (I worked as a CNA in a hospital birth center that performed circumcisions myself) but in a sense it also presents an even greater opportunity to provoke thought/discussion/research. Marilyn Milos, founder and director of NoCirc was fired from her job as a nurse because she stood up for what she believed in...but it was the catalyst for other nurses finding the courage to be "conscientious objectors", and the legacy continues to this day...

http://nurses.cirp.org/

Tires can be repaired or replaced, a scratched exterior is cosmetic; circumcision violates children, robs them of their birthright, causes permanent loss and harm.

Only you can decide what level of risk is acceptable for you, your family, and your home/posessions...but one person CAN make a difference. Will it be you?

Jen

[pdx.mothernurture]

Much inspiration for bumperstickers/window-clings/license-plate holders can be found here:

http://www.noharmm.org/peopleswall.htm

HTHs,

Jen

[KnitLady]

I've been thinking about this very thing the past few days. I have to find a way to talk to my dh about it though. I'm wondering if I got a magnet if he would be more receptive to the idea. Who knows, maybe he would be receptitive anyway!

[Ruthla]

I can't help but read this title and think "Well, my car isn't circumcised."

[Elyra]

Originally Posted by pdx.mothernurture

Much inspiration for bumperstickers/window-clings/license-plate holders can be found here:

http://www.noharmm.org/peopleswall.htm

HTHs,

Jen

Great link! A few of those made me shout out in agreement. I have found a few I really want now. Next payday I know what I am ordering.

[Mountaingirl3]

We don't have one. I would if only strangers were going to see it. But we have several close friends who circumcised 5-10 years ago under pressure from hospital/doctors, and it seems insensitive to their feelings.

I'm not sure whether I can post about my other reason due to the ban on religious discussion. Take this out if need be: (If I can't talk to our Jewish friends and family members directly, I don't think it's right to blindside them with a bumper sticker.)

Those of you who sport them--Way to go!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I have a licence plate cover from cafeexpress it says say no to routine infant circumcision, I have a window cling I had made by naturalattachments.com "keep your whole baby, Question Circumcision.
And I have a rethink circumcision sticker as well.

I would love to get a magnet and a few more window clings but along with my bfing stickers I am out of room

[pdx.mothernurture]

RE: Concern about offending people who chose to circumcise one or more sons in the past...

I think we still have to increase awareness, but in a kind way. There are plenty of slogans that can be used for a bumpersticker that aren't unnecessarily harsh (Think, "Circumcision is child abuse!" "Circumcision mutilates babies!"). For instance, "Question Circumcision" or, "Today's parents say NO to circumcision.", or "Circumcision isn't recommended anymore." or, "The foreskin is not a birth defect."

I can't help but wonder, what 'hurts' more...offending someone with something gentle, but truthful...or the circumcision that happens because the parent didn't even realize they had a choice?

Jen

PS. I don't mean to be pushy, but I truly believe that circumcision is a practice that continues because it's not talked about enough, because we're worried about offending, how people will react, etc. Keeping it taboo keeps the truth about it a secret only those few extremely motivated parents that question and research everything learn about. This information needs to get out to the general public, to teens, to expectant parents, to grandparents, even to those who never plan on having children or having anymore children because WE ARE ALL IN THE POSITION TO INFLUENCE. Kwim?