I have been a rebel. I clashed often and hard – with parents at home, with teachers at school – with every form of authority. I was always angry and rebelled violently. I realized the world saw me as a rebel. I just did more of it and employed every medium to make it more obvious. I bought my off-road bicycle because it was labeled Atlas Rebel. I was difficult to be around with.
In my early Twenties, I went to America and discovered Bumper Stickers. They helped me realize the source of my anger.
In the pre-Internet era, Bumper Stickers were awesome as a platform of self-expression, to promote or oppose and present our personal preferences in areas as diverse as politics, religion, culture, humor, sports, regulation or causes and organizations. While the stickers were originally used only on bumpers, eventually the entire car became the canvas. The amazing one-liners seem like they were the source of inspiration for Twitter.
Stickers like “I don’t eat any thing with a face“, “Keep working. Millions on welfare depend on you.“, “Hang up & drive“, “Recycle Congress“, “Live Free or Die“, “It’s a child, not a choice“, “No War. Know Peace“, “Have you kicked a Wolverine today?” announce our choices and preferences to the larger populace on a variety of topics like vegan-ism, state funded social welfare, safety, politics, life, abortion, war and sports to name a few. Of course, they are the sexually explicit “My other ride is your mom” and the offending types as well. Some others like “Take Revenge. Shit on a pigeon.” or “I had a life. But, my job ate it.” help put a smile, while trailing in rush hour traffic.
These stickers like all opinion, allow us to set ourselves apart and at the same time belong to a community of parallel believers or sympathizers.
Today, there is the Internet. While Bumper Stickers can still be used to hide dents or scratches, they aren’t as much needed as a mode of personal communication in the personal domain. The Internet is far more effective, far reaching and accessible in societies like India where Bumper Stickers aren’t part of the popular culture. I love the clean look of my car. I love to express opinion, hear and be heard. The Internet is my canvas to opinionate.
The source of my childhood anger was growing up in a relatively conservative society, where expression of opinion meant invoking ire. I still hold views contrary to popular opinion and those of my friends and family. I am not angry anymore because I express, hear and be heard. With the Internet, the process is more democratic now.
Thank you, Bumper Stickers.
Photo Credit: DJ Spiess, www.fermentarium.com
