Shaving My Head in Solidarity with the Monks in Burma

September 29, 2007 12:56 PM

I need some advice on creating a movement of people who shave their head in support of the monks of Burma.

Like many people, I'm riveted by what's going on in Burma, and also feeling unsure of what I could possibly do to help. My idea was to shave my head, like the monks do, to show my support, raise awareness, and hopefully rally more people to do the same. My understanding is that they have already begun doing this in Burma.

I would then carry around quarter sheet flyers, and when people comment about my haircut (which they are likely to do because my hair is rather long at the moment), I can give them some information and talk to them about the situation. This is a similar idea to recent efforts by high school students in reaction to people under pressure (see here for info about students wearing pink to stand up against homophobic bullying and here for info about high school boys carrying around tampons in support of female students).

My questions are:
1) Is there any reason why shaving my head would be presumptuous or sacrilegious. As a rather outspoken Jew, I don't think people would ever think I'm actually Buddhist, but if during the oppression of the Soviet Jews, a bunch of people had started wearing yarmulkes/kippas, I might have thought that was kinda weird.
2) Aside from basic information on the flyers I hand out, I would like to include some sort of call to action. Any ideas about a simple, email address, website, or phone number I could direct someone to? If someone is compelled to action after talking to me, what should I tell them do to (besides shaving their head)?
3) I had planned on doing publicity among the college population for this through facebook, but if I get the impression this would be a good idea and follow through with it, any advice on doing publicity among the adult population that isn't on facebook?

Any other thoughts or advice about this would be greatly appreciated.

posted by davidstandaford to law & government (24 answers total)

Thanks for being concerned. But shaving your head calls attention to you, shaving your head, not to the monks.

Moreover, the monks aren't protesting to call attention to monks -- they're protesting on behalf of the entire Burmese people.

I don't mean to dismiss or inhibit your concern. I just hope you will direct your concern more constructively. Think of other ways to get involved instead -- here are some ideas to start with.
posted by gum at 1:06 PM on September 29, 2007

While I can appreciate the thought, I wonder if the headshaving will really make you stand out: people do it in the West as a fashion statement commonly enough. As for the second part, you can do worse than to start here. To the third, you'd probably be best off linking with an existing organization: see link above. On preview, also what gum said.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 1:09 PM on September 29, 2007

gum: I don't understand the point of your link. Are you suggesting I organize some sort of cycling benefit ride?
posted by davidstandaford at 1:13 PM on September 29, 2007

I don't this would work unless you convince a good number of your friends to shave their heads as well, so people notice a whole bunch of people with shaved heads, rather than this lone guy passing out flyers with a shaved head. Your group can then do more collective call-to-action stuff while using the shaved head to attract attention to this cause. Even better, why not contact the people on StrikeTheViol's website and start a fundraising effort? Get a whole bunch of people together who are willing to have their head shaved, and get others to pledge a certain amount of money based on the number of heads that get shaved, or even an auction for the privilege of shaving someone's head. Make it into a party.

As someone socially minded, I can say even I get annoyed at the people standing around campus passing out flyers. But a head-shaving event would be a draw, rather than an annoyance.
posted by schroedinger at 1:14 PM on September 29, 2007

1. Buddhists are unlikely to be offended. Besides, people shave their heads for lots of reasons. Strangers won't make any connection to Buddhism. Don't do something like wear saffron robes or otherwise "impersonate" a monk; that would likely be offensive. If I were you I'd print up t-shirts and flyers instead with something catchy on the front and a website on the back.
2. I don't know and I don't think my Google skills are any better than yours.
3. Tell your local news media what you're doing; maybe they'll want to interview you.
posted by desjardins at 1:17 PM on September 29, 2007

Check here for your local Buddhist group - they might already have something going. Start with Theravada groups. Or ask your question on this Buddhist forum.
posted by desjardins at 1:22 PM on September 29, 2007

How you can support the people of Burma, by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship
posted by desjardins at 1:27 PM on September 29, 2007

i think you've hit upon a fine idea -- the head shaving *will* be subtle, probably only noticeable to your friends; but i think this is the type of act people will respond well to.

Maybe it's because I attended college at Berkeley, and I'm used to ignoring people holding fluorescent signs and saying naive things into megaphones, or maybe it's because I'm jaded and apathetic, but I tend to shut out most overt protest. However, if one of my friends shaved their head and I was like 'hey, whoa, crazy haircut', and they told me, 'oh, i did it because X', I'd be much more likely to listen.

of course, I'm assuming that you're not going to be actively pushing flyers in people's faces who aren't already curious about your haircut. Sure, this limits the number of people you reach, but it makes the quality of the interaction much greater, IMHO.

since I'm already talking here:

1. I don't see any issue with this.
2. That's the real trick; probably a short paragraph about the issue itself and a link to a weblog where you sidebar donation/demonstrations/etc
3. i'd just include it on your profile page: "Why My Head Is Shaved:" and then a copy of the flyer. Don't ruin your quiet protest by sticking it in people's faces.

anyways, I suspect there'll be a lot of division on whether or not people think this is a good idea, but I think this is a great way to reach folks who aren't usually receptive to protests. good luck.
posted by fishfucker at 1:31 PM on September 29, 2007

fishfucker: You captured exactly the sentiment I was going for. [I wonder if it's because we're both berkeley alulmni...]

My only concern is that this seemed like a reasonable, subtle, laid-back way to engaged some friends in a meaningful conversation if they commented on my hair cut, and I wasn't expecting the negative reaction. I don't think MetaFilter is representative of the population at large, but I certainly wouldn't want to do something that would stir up this many negative reactions from people I run into in the real world.
posted by davidstandaford at 1:38 PM on September 29, 2007

there are always going to be people who poke holes in anything you try to do. These are the same people who refuse to give money to the homeless because "they're just going to spend it on booze or drugs." They want a way to do absolutely nothing and yet still feel morally superior.

Ignore them. I think it's a great idea.
posted by drjimmy11 at 1:44 PM on September 29, 2007

gum: I don't understand the point of your link. Are you suggesting I organize some sort of cycling benefit ride?

Oops, here's the link I meant to share. Lots of good advice up above. Go ahead and shave that head if you want. Just keep in mind that lots of people have been working hard on this issue for years (believe me, they already thought of head-shaving), and connecting with what is already organized may be a lot more effective.
posted by gum at 1:57 PM on September 29, 2007

In what material ways (political, economic, media access) do you ideally want your protest to help the people of Burma?

Because that would be my problem with your plan as stated. If you get a bunch of college kids to shave their heads in solidarity... so? That's one step from wearing black because you're in mourning with the world, to me. I don't see how it does anything to help the cause of the Burmese monks.

Now, if you get a bunch of people to shave their heads in return for donations, and those donations go to some kind of Burmese democracy advocacy group, and the media coverage of your event helps to raise awareness, that's cool. Or, as you say that you're an outspoken, presumably political Jew, why not try to partner with a Jewish org that's interested in using its existing clout and media access to support an oppressed people? Or, as a student, could you find or found a group that might be interested in sponsoring one or more Burmese refugees who are also college students? Otherwise, I have to agree with the first commenter that it starts to seem like it's about you, not about the monks.

And to forestall dr_jimmy, I am active in my community, and semi well-versed in grassroots movements. Which is why I'm pretty firm in feeling that standing in solidarity is essentially meaningless unless that solidarity expresses itself in ways that are actually helpful to the oppressed people.
posted by thehmsbeagle at 2:11 PM on September 29, 2007

I certainly wouldn't want to do something that would stir up this many negative reactions from people I run into in the real world.

You've had one mildly negative comment, with helpful follow-up from the same person. Chill.
posted by desjardins at 2:15 PM on September 29, 2007

Don't mean to sound like a wet blanket, but you state that your primary motivations are:
a) to raise awareness, dispense more information etc. and
b) to show your support.

Regarding a), it's quite hard to evade the topic these days, unless you're living in a cave, so I don't really see the point. It's not like it isn't on the news every day.

As for b), showing support is nice, but how would the monks (or anyone in Burma) know about it? Wouldn't a T-shirt be enough?

Also, I'm hoping for your own sake that you'll never get the idea of raising awareness about genital mutilation in Africa...
posted by sour cream at 2:26 PM on September 29, 2007

A few thoughts from someone sympathetic to the cause:

1. I absolutely hate activism t-shirts. Theyre become a fashion statement. Seeing someone with a free tibet t-shirt or concert for peace t-shirt turns me off. I see the wearer engaging in fashion more than politics.

2. Extremes taken without some kind of benefit baffle me. If I saw some guys with shaved heads I'd be more inclined to think college-aged drama queens than truly sympathetic peolple. I would think that if you willing to do this but unwlling to do it as a fundraiser for whatever relief organization is going to spearhead burma relief, well, Id think you guys were pretty dumb.

3. There's no shortage of organizations helping the burmanese. Why not raise money for them directly. Theyre probably going to have a worse refugee problem when this is all over. Like a simulataneous head-shaving event on campus. Get financial pledges like a walk-a-thon.

I think the real question is are you trying to cause a scene at your university or are you actually trying to help people? The examples you linked to are all about causing scenes at high schools. Well, this is a bit different. If its for former then your plan is fine, if its the latter then raise some funds. Dont just wear tshirts and pass out flyers. Thats pretty useless, imho. Doubly so in the information age.
posted by damn dirty ape at 2:59 PM on September 29, 2007

I shaved my head as part of an Australian fundraiser for leaukimia. Considering I was the only girl in my group to do it, I got LOTS of comments and chats about it. My boyfriend, who had long hair too, shaved his head and people noticed, but I think I had more effect simply for being female.

I too agree that some form of tangible assistance would be helpful (donations, etc) but I like the idea. Do ask the local Buddhist community and ask what sort of help they need, then use your shaved head (and others'!) as a point of attraction.
posted by divabat at 3:01 PM on September 29, 2007

Sorry, this makes about as much sense as donning a fake Afro to show your solidarity with the plight of African-American males.
posted by jayder at 3:15 PM on September 29, 2007

Unless you're Britney Spears, shaving your head to raise awareness is even less effective than forwarding an email to everyone on your contact list.
posted by roger ackroyd at 4:06 PM on September 29, 2007

I would do this if I thought it had value -- to myself as well as the objective. Only you can answer to the former, but the latter seems like it would be about as effective as wearing a t-shirt. Shaving your head isn't a major sacrifice unless you've spent years grooming Your City Here's Best Mullet. I would only do this with a goal of awareness, and I would tie it to something else tangible, like writing Congressmen or appealing to the leaders of countries offering them support, like Hu in China, or the boards of corporations investing in the country (only one significant US company qualifies, IIRC).

To make your shaved head stand out I would not keep it shaved clean, but with stubble, similar to what monks actually wear.

To make this something that gets people a little more involved, you could make it a contest. Keep your head shaved until you get 1000 people to sign or 100 people to donate, or something. Maybe work an Amway-style pyramid out so that more people have to shave their heads. Try to make it something that will attract media attention.
posted by dhartung at 4:12 PM on September 29, 2007

I think it is a wonderful idea, especially since, as you say, people in Burma themselves seem to think it is. I am surprised none of the anti-commenters took that into account in their responses.

I don't think you need to turn it into a fundraiser (but of course you can). Isn't the idea that you raise awareness so that people will be moved to donate of their own accord? Of course they will have read about Burma, but in our society, there is often so much going on that people tune out to the news. Shaving your head shows that this is, to you, a really important topic and I do believe that that can make a difference. Assuming, of course, that you are not in-your-face about it and don't walk around with a holier-than-thou attitude, but I don't get that impression at all.

The Buddhist Peace Fellowship article recommends, amongst others, a vigil and signing an online petition. Do the people that argue that shaving your head is useless because it does not actively save someones life also argue that participating in a vigil is useless?
posted by davar at 4:32 PM on September 29, 2007

How many of the people here complaining about "wet blankets" have actually engaged in effective non-profit or activist work that has produced tangible results? People try to give ideas for more effective forms of support, and suddenly we hate the homeless? Wow, what an amazing leap of logic there.

Petitions and vigils work on the basis of numbers. Gathering a whole bunch of people together in large numbers to do any one activity draws attention to the activity and thus the reason for the activity. This in turn produces donations. Through mass support individuals fall into the background and the cause shines through; individual, out-of-context protests are more about the protester than the cause.

Furthermore, shaving one's head in Burma under a totalitarian government arresting anyone daring to show support for democracy is a hell of a more powerful statement than a lone guy shaving his head at Berkeley.

I'm not arguing you should shave your head. I have been wearing red bandannas myself. But if you really want to do something, know that it is easy to shave your head but you are going to need to be a lot more effective to raise the kind of support the Burmese need. A mass head-shaving event, a fundraiser, a large vigil, we really need to see these things in the US where if people really want to fight for democracy, well, there's shit going down in Burma that needs our help. But just shaving your head like you're some kind of pseudo-martyr and stopping there is just weak and self-congratulatory and does nothing real for the Burmese.
posted by schroedinger at 6:40 PM on September 29, 2007 [1 favorite]

I wonder if all the money-raising talk is something USian, where people grow up with boy-scout cookies and other fundraisers. It makes people feel really good about themselves if they donate a small amount of money because they feel they "actually" help. I think that monetary support is only one side of the corner and it can be kind of dangerous to "outsource" our engagement to registered charities. There are always other things that people could also do, but since when is that an argument to not do something?

Would people also say to the Burmese monks that they should have done more? Why stop at walking in the streets while they also could have raised money to do something real for the Burmese people!

Since more people seem to think that shaving one's head is no big deal at all and that it only works if you get more people to do it and tie it to some kind of fundraising effort: why not do just that? I am sure that we can make some impact if we have lots of mefites shaving their heads. We could document it on a website (where we will encourage people to donate - I understand that many people really want that), write about the reactions we get and, in general, make sure that people do not forget about Burma.
posted by davar at 2:48 AM on September 30, 2007

I suddenly remembered Standing Women. Their story is inspiring:
A busboy who worked in a café whose window faced the public park noticed that two grandmotherly looking women had been standing in the park all day without moving at all and without talking. They were dressed up in their Sunday best and were just staring at the town hall. He asked the other patrons in the café what they thought the women were up to. They speculated on a variety of things. Then, a five-year old year who was in the café spoke up and said "One of them is my grandmother and I know what they are doing. They are standing there to save the world." All of the men in the café hooted and howled and laughed. On his way home the busboy decided to ask the women what they were doing and sure enough their answer was "We are saving the world."
They may not have saved the world yet, but their story surely is inspiring. Note that they also just started, without much ado and without making a big event out of it.
posted by davar at 7:40 AM on September 30, 2007

You might check out some of the Burma-related links on this MSNBC blog.
posted by Carol Anne at 11:46 AM on October 1, 2007