The reason I don’t have any bumper stickers now is simply that I almost never see a sticker that says what I believe. The only exception I can think of is one that said “Fight Patriotism”. I felt authentic sporting that during the decades’ wars. In general they never say things in ways that I would. I am currently a car user and I do want to show support for causes as I drive around in my little contribution to the world’s problems, and that’s the main thing bumper stickers are good for. But the stickers handed out to show support for causes almost always tacitly suggest support for institutions or ideologies that I do NOT support. Or at least they leave me wanting to clarify. Does “Free Palestine!” just mean supporting Palestinians struggling against their oppressors, or is it read as welcoming them to incorporate into the family of nation states? This one is at least open ended, and I’d put it on my car, but what if the only choice is “Support Palestinian Statehood”? In the realm of realpolitik I do support Palestinian statehood, but if that’s my bumper sticker it implies that I’m a statist and want you to support states too. I’d have to write under it, “even if you hate states”, to come close to expressing my opinion and self-contradictions.

Bumper stickers reflect the way our authentic views are co-opted by groups who just want to use us for their own purposes. It takes initiative to maintain your autonomous voice, which is always more interesting than the pre-fabricated message someone else wants to plaster on you. I always intend to make my own bumper stickers, but just haven’t. (How many things can I say THAT about! Too many!) It would be a fun activity to do with friends some night. I have a few written down somewhere that I never got around to rendering. One would have a picture of a waiter with the caption, “Are you enjoying class society today?” I can’t remember many others.

Anyway, I guess what I’m saying is that bumper stickers would be cool if we really used them to express ourselves, rather than let them use us as product endorsements. The same goes for a lot of forms of expression in mass society, including the mass demonstration.

Great to read your thoughts, Deanna. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the Occupy movement and what’s gone down in Oakland. I’ve been thinking about them in relation to the protests in Wisconsin this past winter (which were very managed demonstrations for the status quo) and to critics from the anarchist side who are skeptical of their orientation.

A loose group linked to Bound Together came to aid and support those of us who has be beaten around the DemCon-84 and through them we were taught the history of Milk, Moscone, Feinstein and Dan White.

There is such a long legacy of social justice- and injustice- its nice to take a step back and reflect upon it. I still find the footage of Feinstein’s announcement utterly painful.

Thanks and let me add a happy testimonial anytime about your healing touch. Out of pain for the first time since the car crash.

Thanks

I still love that castle bed and it touches my heart that you put so much effort in securing and installing that perfect bed for your kids…. And can I just say- the kids area in general- so beyond impressive and thought filled!! I have to admit when you were advertising it- I almost jumped!

I just want to honor how amazing you guys are and were as parents and how inspired the spaces you created were for the T’s were and are.

I love the castle bed because it taps into the little girl inside me and promise of cherishing the little girl inside whatever girl-children you let into your lives!

Just saying- a powerful symbol- you rock!

Its so frustrating to me that the social workers were not up front with you about the condition and needs of your kids… Unfair to all involved and another way the system is broken.

Let me know what we can do to support you and J!!!