In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the race for mayor is heating up. The new mayor will be elected this November and his or her term will start in the year 2000. They will replace the current mayor, Ed Rendell.

One of the top candidates is a man named Marty Weinberg. Today I saw one of his ads on television. His big promise: to get tough on juvenile crime, remove disruptive kids from the classroom, and stop juvenile delinquency.

At first I didn't believe my eyes when I saw his latest ad. But I saw it again later that day, and what I thought I saw the first time was definitely there. While the announcer was saying, "He will remove disruptive kids from the classroom," a picture of a teenage girl was shown. This girl had a ring in her left nostril.

An earlier commercial of his said, "He will get tough on juvenile crime." A picture of a tough looking teenage boy was shown. His right eyebrow was pierced.

So what exactly is Mr. Weinberg trying to say? That all juvenile criminals and troublemakers have piercings? Does that work the other way, that all people with piercings are criminals?

Although I have not one piercing, I am scarred, and I feel that we body art enthusiasts, whatever our interest be, have to join together to fight the common enemy.

Mr. Weinberg is portraying piercing in an excessively negative light. Many adults will see this ad, and if they realize it or not, it will push them, either consciously or subconsciously, to make the judgment that whenever they see a teen wearing a ring through the nose, eyebrow, lip, tongue, or ear, the person wearing the piercing is a juvenile delinquent or even a dangerous criminal and a person to be feared.

So here is where you come in. Marty Weinberg homepage is and his campaign can be reached via email at [email protected]. All you have to do is send a letter. Here is a sample you can use (just highlight it, copy and paste onto an email and sign your name at the bottom.)

Dear Mr. Weinberg,

I have recently been informed that several of your television ads discuss juvenile crime and delinquency while showing images of teens that have piercings. Most people that are pierced are responsible members of society and do not commit crimes. I feel that your portrayal of criminals with piercings will give all people with piercings the stigmata of criminal or delinquent. I demand that you remove the offending ads from television immediately.

     Sincerely,

     (your name)

BME gets up to 1.5 million hits a day. And if ten percent of those people take a minute or two to copy and send this email... Write every day! Write twice a day! You don't have to be in Philadelphia or even in the United States.

Some people will read this and say, I'm only one person, I can't make a difference. Hitler was one person and he significantly altered world history. Picasso was one person, and he significantly altered art forever. You are one person, and here is your chance. I hope you take it.

Flood
[email protected]