Excellent piece Brendon. My optimism grew in viewing a recent BSM protest in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania where dozens and dozens of students thronged themselves into the BSM space for thumbs-up photos. I think the college campuses have the most "willing listeners", and offer an insight into how to break through. Frankly, they were in a celebratory social mood where their support could double as goofiness for fun photos - that helps break the tension. There may also have been some day drinking involved. But most importantly, there was monkey see monkey do occurring. Social media silence is deafening, but when you see hugs and fun pictures being taken, I think it disarms people. Also to be frank, the beautiful intactivist women are a major positive force in helping people welcome the message.
Thanks for this challenging statement. I hope it will inspire some of our medical denialists to actually listen to the truths they generally refuse to hear.
Thank you, Jose. Wouldn't it be interesting if a circumciser were to respond to an Intactivist as follows: "I must be honest. Sometimes hours after I've circumcised a baby boy I suddenly hear his screams in my head. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night from a nightmare in which I myself was the baby, my penis hurting horribly from the gaping wound inflicted on me. Sometimes I tell myself 'Never again! Never again will I agree to perform this insane, life-altering surgery.' Sometimes I tell myself that even if my income and respect among my fellow obstetricians were greatly diminished, I must stop participating in this vicious American insanity! But then, the next day, when asked to do one again, I just do it in spite of all those thoughts, knowing it is what my colleagues and an endless line of brainwashed parents want me to do . . . and anyway it helps pay for the groceries."
Excellent piece Brendon. My optimism grew in viewing a recent BSM protest in Philadelphia at University of Pennsylvania where dozens and dozens of students thronged themselves into the BSM space for thumbs-up photos. I think the college campuses have the most "willing listeners", and offer an insight into how to break through. Frankly, they were in a celebratory social mood where their support could double as goofiness for fun photos - that helps break the tension. There may also have been some day drinking involved. But most importantly, there was monkey see monkey do occurring. Social media silence is deafening, but when you see hugs and fun pictures being taken, I think it disarms people. Also to be frank, the beautiful intactivist women are a major positive force in helping people welcome the message.
Thanks for this challenging statement. I hope it will inspire some of our medical denialists to actually listen to the truths they generally refuse to hear.
“ Multiple activists have experience situations” —> experienced
You're becoming a pundit. Yes, that's what happens, willful silence and phrases that entirely miss deliberately, the message.
Thank you, Jose. Wouldn't it be interesting if a circumciser were to respond to an Intactivist as follows: "I must be honest. Sometimes hours after I've circumcised a baby boy I suddenly hear his screams in my head. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night from a nightmare in which I myself was the baby, my penis hurting horribly from the gaping wound inflicted on me. Sometimes I tell myself 'Never again! Never again will I agree to perform this insane, life-altering surgery.' Sometimes I tell myself that even if my income and respect among my fellow obstetricians were greatly diminished, I must stop participating in this vicious American insanity! But then, the next day, when asked to do one again, I just do it in spite of all those thoughts, knowing it is what my colleagues and an endless line of brainwashed parents want me to do . . . and anyway it helps pay for the groceries."