A couple of times, I have had someone ask me to post about an issue unrelated to circumcision from the accounts I have for my documentary American Circumcision.
Usually, the conversation goes something like this:
“Here is an article/video/blog post about this issue. Can you share from your account?”
“No. We only share stuff related to the film and it’s issue.”
“But this other issue is reaaaalllyyyy important.”
If they say it’s more important than circumcision, I usually mute them “so that you have more time to work on the issues you think are really important.” But if they persist…
“Okay. I have the opposite opinion on that issue.” (I’ll say this even if I don’t.)
“What? I can’t believe you think that way!!”
“I think I’m gonna post about that from the American Circumcision account.”
“No! Don’t do that!!”
“Nah, you convinced me. This is a really important issue. Everyone needs to know about it.”
They usually don’t ask me to mix issues again.
This Message Is For Everyone
This is an amusing response but it’s also a lesson in empathy. The way they’d feel if I was to post an opposing opinion from that account is that way the other half of my audience would feel if I was to post their perspective from the film account.
I have met activists on the circumcision issue from every background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious belief (or lack thereof), age, and gender. I’ve met activists with the opposite perspectives on every major issue you can think of. I want all of these people – and their opposition – to feel like they can watch my film.
The issue of circumcision affects people from every background. I believe this information is too important to limit to one social or political tribe. Just because someone’s parents might hold ideas I disagree with, doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have the knowledge they need to make the best decisions for their children.
(Sidenote: Whenever I see an activist say you can’t be an Intactivist (anti-circumcision activist) unless you believe [X], I always tell them they should change their signs to reflect that. “Intact Genitals Are A Human Right (Unless Your Parents Believe [X]).” Or even better, “If you believe [X], go ahead, cut your kids dick off.” I hope this joke catches on, because I find this attitude wildly unproductive.)
If I feel another issue is really important, I’ll do it right. Not an impulsive tweet or one time post, but what I did with the circumcision issue – I’ll create a work of art that presents the issue powerfully and accurately.
You might want to watch the film I made on the issue of circumcision, American Circumcision, because it is a powerful work of art.





