I Love Boobies - The controversy

[hawaiianorangetree]

The breast cancer foundation of western Australia has wrist bands with the slogan
"I am breast aware".

I think if it sells, it's raising money and that's a good thing. Kids do not need to understand breast cancer in it's full severity to be aware of it. And creating awareness is what it's about IMO.

 

[luv2sparkle]

I have a 14 year old son, who started wearing the bracelets. I wouldn't let him wear it, and made him give it back to his friends.
I don't think it is appropriate. Breast cancer research is a needed cause and I would definitely support it and the women who are
fighting the disease. But I would opt out of this means to do it personally.

 

[risingsun]

What I do know is that the bracelet means nothing without the education.

Raising important funds is not nothing.
The racy phrase sells more bracelets, which raises more funds.

We are just going to have to agree to disagree about this. Using "racy" in the context of raising money for breast cancer does not compute for me. Breast cancer is not sexy and I don't think we should be using "racy" campaigns to raise money for this cause. It's not a question of being prudish, but one of respect for breast cancer victims, survivors, and those of us at risk. I don't support this campaign. There are numerous organizations to which contributions can be made. This information can be made known. If you want to show your support, make a contribution and wear the pink ribbon. That is already the recognized symbol of support for breast cancer. If there is going to be a bracelet,* make it with the pink ribbon symbol and say something more appropriate, such as "Help us fight breast cancer."

*I believe these bracelets already exist.

 

[somethingshiny]

I don't know one person who hasn't been directly affected by cancer. Many have been directly affected by breast cancer. People are still very uncomfortable to talk about it at all. If adding a little ill-humor to the subject enables more discussion, I'm all for it.

And, I agree that raising funds is definitely not nothing. It is a much needed resource and I can't picture anyone being pissed when there are strides within the field just because of a boobie bracelet. No one is gonna turn down treatment regardless of where the money comes from.

 

[kelpie]

In general I find it distasteful how the Komen foundation has spun a life threatening disease into some consumerist female bonding club like it's Oprah bookclub when it KILLS people. It doesn't show the suffering, just these paragons of womanly sisterhood. I feel like they took a disease and flocked it in warm and fuzzies. You don't see the same organized effort to fund cancer charities whose main victims are male. That's not to say we shouldn't be funding the cancer fight, the way they present it is so patronizing and just "icky" for me. Like a pink ribbon brings comfort or solidarity when you are out there fighting for your life...

No problem with the boobie bracelets, yes it's cheeky but honestly with the things kids discuss these days it is so innocuous. And who doesn't love boobies?

 

[LGK]

In general I find it distasteful how the Komen foundation has spun a life threatening disease into some consumerist female bonding club like it's Oprah bookclub when it KILLS people. It doesn't show the suffering, just these paragons of womanly sisterhood. I feel like they took a disease and flocked it in warm and fuzzies. You don't see the same organized effort to fund cancer charities whose main victims are male. That's not to say we shouldn't be funding the cancer fight, the way they present it is so patronizing and just "icky" for me. Like a pink ribbon brings comfort or solidarity when you are out there fighting for your life...

No problem with the boobie bracelets, yes it's cheeky but honestly with the things kids discuss these days it is so innocuous. And who doesn't love boobies?

Kelpie, I love your post. It sums up something I hadn't quite put my finger on about the whole breast cancer snuggle fest thing. It has always kind of bothered me and seemed... patronizing and/or marginalizing or something.

 

[kenny]

What I do know is that the bracelet means nothing without the education.

Raising important funds is not nothing.
The racy phrase sells more bracelets, which raises more funds.

We are just going to have to agree to disagree about this. Using "racy" in the context of raising money for breast cancer does not compute for me. Breast cancer is not sexy and I don't think we should be using "racy" campaigns to raise money for this cause. It's not a question of being prudish, but one of respect for breast cancer victims, survivors, and those of us at risk. I don't support this campaign. There are numerous organizations to which contributions can be made. This information can be made known. If you want to show your support, make a contribution and wear the pink ribbon. That is already the recognized symbol of support for breast cancer. If there is going to be a bracelet,* make it with the pink ribbon symbol and say something more appropriate, such as "Help us fight breast cancer."

*I believe these bracelets already exist.

Okay, I agree to disagree (though I've never been sure what that means since not agreeing is always fine).
Agreement is overrated.
AFAIC everyone just states their opinion and they all just sit there on the table, the similar and the dissimilar ones.

So for the people opposed to the bracelets, what do you think should be done with all the money these inappropriate bracelets have raised?

I agree that doing bad things to raise money for a good cause is, overall, bad - such as robbing banks or killing people and selling their kidneys.

I just see these bracelets as a brilliant (and harmless) way to expand awareness and fund raising to a powerful, vibrant and until now untapped demographic, teens.

I guess some people see a bobbie bracelet raising dirty money.
Apparently you are weighing bad and good and you see the damage a boobie bracelet does to young minds as worse overall to society than the life-saving funds raised for a breast cancer awareness.
That is certainly your right.
I disagree.
I feel saving lives takes priority here, and tailoring fundraising to what works for all demographics saves more lives.

Clearly this is a "where do you draw the line" thing.
Of course I would not support drug sales or prostitution with proceeds going to a good cause.
But, come on, a rubber bobbie bracelet?

 

[luv2sparkle]

I think it takes a very serious disease and sexualizes and trivializes it. To say that it is about 'boobies' is a bit offensive and crass. We
are talking about saving lives here and going through a very painful process to do it. It just hits me wrong. They will make money
for the disease, hopefully it will make a difference. It seems like they collect millions and millions of dollars for research and there
has not been any significant developments in the science for a long time.

I did think the 'save the ta-ta's wasn't as offensive. My son tried to tell me that he cared about breast cancer research-p-l-e-a-s-e-!
So much is about how a woman looks and how 'hot' she is-this is not about sex, it's about saving lives. I don't know, it just bugs me.

 

[AGBF]

I think it takes a very serious disease and sexualizes and trivializes it. To say that it is about 'boobies' is a bit offensive and crass. We
are talking about saving lives here and going through a very painful process to do it. It just hits me wrong. They will make money
for the disease, hopefully it will make a difference. It seems like they collect millions and millions of dollars for research and there
has not been any significant developments in the science for a long time.

I did think the 'save the ta-ta's wasn't as offensive. My son tried to tell me that he cared about breast cancer research-p-l-e-a-s-e-!
So much is about how a woman looks and how 'hot' she is-this is not about sex, it's about saving lives. I don't know, it just bugs me.

I agree with all of this, except that I think "save the ta-ta's" is just as offensive. What are they going to put down as the slogan for prostate cancer? Why are women so amusing?

As for turning back the clock to 1955...in 1955 there was the same attitude toward women that is reappearing now: that women's bodies are amusing things that everybody owns and can make money from. Only during the women's movement in the 1970's did anyone start to question whether this was an ideal position for society to take.

Deb/AGBF

 

[perry]

I think some people are over-reacting to these bracelets - and how they are being used.

I believe that the people who emphasize that its taking a very serious issue - and trivializing it are missing a huge point: By their very nature - teenagers (and younger kids) rarely understand the full depth on serious issues (except more may understand breast cancer because their grandparents or parents suffered). They don't understand war, they don't understand the economy, they don't even usually understand sex. Yet, they will take a position based on what they do understand - and that to me is a very positive part of growing up. The society needs people to be willing to take positions and stand up - and you learn how to do that by becoming involved as a teenager. In this case - the bracelets serve a dual purpose. The kids to young adults involved "get it" that breast cancer is an issue that affects the female population; and that they can do something positive for the cause (even if they do not fully understand the severity and all the consequences).

The second purpose for a few is to try to get some of the adults to react to the use of the term "boobies" given that their can be a sexual connotation (even if that is not how they mean it). Teenagers test limits - its what they do. They intentionally try to get a reaction from adults - and far to often the adults comply (and teachers should really be experts at ignoring minor provocations).

I called and talked to a friend of mine who is a teacher in high school. He indicated that absent of any school policy he would not react to kids wearing these bracelets. It's too minor of an issue - if there is even an issue. He also agreed that the first thing that any school would need to do is research why kids are wearing these bracelets. If most of them really are doing it to support breast cancer research then his opinion was that the school should back off. He emphasized that there will be no disruptions at school if the School Administration and the Teachers openly investigate the cause, the issues, and react appropriately.

Too disruptive in school - is because the adults react wrong (and in my opinion - shame on the adults).

Finally, fundraising is about marketing. KAB has found a way to raise millions for breast cancer research this way... They have found a receptive audience willing to spend money for a cause (for whatever reasons). I've done some web research and have not found anyone else who has an idea to even come close to raising "replacement" funds were the "I love boobies bracelets" discontinued.

Finally, It has been pointed out elsewhere on the web that there are a few students who act obnoxious about the bracelets. So why not discipline those students and teach them the correct way to act. I remember when halter tops first appeared - and then were banned in school because one specific boy liked to pull them down. Why he wasn't suspended and ultimately kicked out of school I do not understand (although a few young woman did manage to deck him when he got close). Instead they told half the student population that they could not wear something because of the actions of one person. What kind of lesson did that teach us?

Have a great day,

Perry

ps: I love boobies - and save the boobies (life is a lot better that way) - although I doubt that I'd wear the bracelet.

 

[Nashville]

Oh please. If men were to adopt a similar ad campaign, it would probably target the frat-boy/booya demographic that many other companies have used to make millions of dollars, and it would probably get guys to go get a cancer screening without dissolving into a laughing fit about how funny cancer is.

When Sex and the City did the breast cancer episodes, people went crazy for it and it was full of pink feather boas, drag queen wigs and sparkly pink galas with speeches about hot flashes. It also gained a lot of support and awareness for the breast cancer movement, too. No one thought the disease was less serious when Samantha said "I don't want to lose my breasts- they're FABULOUS!" It also inspired a LOT of young viewers to get a mammogram.

 

[sillyberry]

I've been thinking about this a lot, deleted a few posts, but I guess my final answer is this: I *like* trivializing important things.

Not in the sense of minimizing their importance, but minimizing their scariness. I am not a serious person, I thrive by making light of tragedy, using laughter whenever possible, finding the nugget of humor in the chaos. As the great Dolly Parton said in Steel Magnolias, "laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." So "I like boobies" or "save the ta-tas?" Cool. I would be just as happy with a bracelet that said "I like balls" if it raised money for testicular cancer or encouraged men to get checked.

On a separate note, the funding disparities in favor of women when it comes to gendered cancer research isn't even close. The Komen Foundation has been great at publicity using splashy patient advocacy, to the betterment of women, and something like this is just part of it. So the arguments against these bracelets seems a bit like cutting off the nose in spite of the face.

 

[PinkTower]

I find this campaign offensive. My mother died from metastic breast cancer. I have recently gone through extensive testing to determine if a spot on my mammogram was malignant or not. It was not. Although some adolescents may be mature enough to understand the meaning of the bracelets, I would hazard a guess that many will not. I could easily become a joke. There is nothing humorous about this disease. If they want to educate this age group, there is a better way to do it. This, IMO, trivializes a disease and its victims, who deserve respect and compassion.

I 100 percent agree with you.

Coincidentally, last night I googled something about breast cancer. A warning came up that I had to turn off some setting on my computer and be prepared for pornography to come up. I must say, this is a new mac, and I have not added any special filters. Whatever the setting is, is was shipped that way from Apple. So, I had to abandon my breast cancer search because I was afraid of what would possibly be a flood of viral spam if I pursued the subject.

My husband just had radical prostate cancer surgery in the spring. He has had to go in three times since for minor follow up surgery. I imagine the same spam/porno alerts happens now if you try to research prostate cancer.

Very insensitive to those of us living with the disease. If you open the door a little on what is "cutesy" with cancer, there are always a bunch of creeps in the background looking to make a buck off the disease.

 

[ksinger]

In general I find it distasteful how the Komen foundation has spun a life threatening disease into some consumerist female bonding club like it's Oprah bookclub when it KILLS people. It doesn't show the suffering, just these paragons of womanly sisterhood. I feel like they took a disease and flocked it in warm and fuzzies. You don't see the same organized effort to fund cancer charities whose main victims are male. That's not to say we shouldn't be funding the cancer fight, the way they present it is so patronizing and just "icky" for me. Like a pink ribbon brings comfort or solidarity when you are out there fighting for your life...

No problem with the boobie bracelets, yes it's cheeky but honestly with the things kids discuss these days it is so innocuous. And who doesn't love boobies?

Kelpie, I love your post. It sums up something I hadn't quite put my finger on about the whole breast cancer snuggle fest thing. It has always kind of bothered me and seemed... patronizing and/or marginalizing or something.

I wish I could find the article, but I recall one a few months back, where the writer (a cancer patient) ranted at length about that very thing - the endless trivializing of a serious condition by the pink everything.

 

[kenny]

Nobody really knows what another person thinks, but the money raised is real.

 

[Nashville]

Nobody really knows what another person thinks, but the money raised is real.

Yup. What's crass and offensive to some might be the laugh someone else needed to get through chemo that day. No two people can possibly react to having cancer in the same way.

 

[Haven]

First, I don't personally find this campaign offensive, but I am not someone who has had or has breast cancer, so frankly I don't think my opinion is the one that matters.

Second, regarding whether or not these bracelets should be allowed in high schools, I stand by my initial response that no, they should not. The problem goes beyond the potential distraction (which I think is a big issue) and into the fact that seeing peers wear bracelets that read "I love boobies" is something that is sure to make some (if not many) adolescent girls uncomfortable.

Now, I know that there are some PSers who will respond with "Well, that is their problem, not the wearer's problem! If teens are uncomfortable with their bodies, then THEY need to deal with it, not the teens who are wearing the bracelets." This is what I say to that argument: Poppycock. It is our job as educators to provide a safe learning environment for all of our students so we can best support their success. That means no clothing or accessories that have messages or images on them that are likely to make students uncomfortable. A bracelet that reads "I love boobies" is just what you need to make a young girl who has recently undergone some changes of her own to feel very uncomfortable around the wearer. THAT is the biggest problem with these bracelets in the schools, in my opinion. High school students are often hyper-self conscious, and this bracelet would just exacerbate a feeling of self consciousness that many teen girls are already dealing with.

I'm curious: How would people feel if a male high school teacher wore this bracelet? How would you feel if your teenage daughter was in this male high school teacher's English class?

Additionally, I don't understand how banning these bracelets from high school equals putting an end to the fundraising to be made from producing them. Last time I checked, teens were able to wear things OUTSIDE of school.

Finally, I would like to reiterate a point I made in an earlier post that has been ignored: Lance Armstrong's Livestrong bracelets have sold over 70 million $1 bracelets since 2004. They did not have to resort to anything potentially offensive to women OR cancer patients or survivors in order to sell these bracelets. I think those who make the argument that we need to put something outrageous or catchy on a bracelet in order to make it sell are underestimating Americans, and especially American teens, to tell you the truth.

The most popular bracelets that I currently see on my college freshmen are a far cry from these booby bracelets--instead of bearing a catchy phrase they bear the name of a loved one who has died, and that loved one is usually someone who died as a teen. Sometimes the bracelets have a phrase that the teen was known for saying, it's usually something profound or particularly touching. These bracelets are made in memory of teens who committed suicide, or died of cancer, or in an act of violence, a car crash, or some other horrific disease. Someone orders a number of these bracelets and the loved one's family and friends sell them at a fundraising event, a school game, or in the hallways during passing periods.

I wore a similar bracelet when I myself was a teen. It was silver, and it was produced by The Body Shop and sold to raise funds for AIDS awareness and research. The bracelets sold for $20 a piece, and I had it engraved with a lost loved one's name on it. I have multiple bracelets in my jewelry box now that bear the names of young Israeli soldiers who have died. Now that I think of it, I don't believe I could bring myself to wear an "I love boobies" bracelet next to a bracelet solemnly bearing the name of a lost loved one. I support cancer research by fundraising for multiple Relay for Life events each year. I send in monetary donations when I can. I buy products that bear the pink ribbon on them even if I don't need the product itself. There are so many ways to honor those whom we have lost to breast cancer, and those who are currently fighting it, I just don't see why anyone would argue that these booby bracelets, as benign as some might believe them to be, are truly necessary in the fight against breast cancer when survivors and patients have themselves declared that they find them to be offensive.

 

[kenny]

First, I don't personally find this campaign offensive, but I am not someone who has had or has breast cancer, so frankly I don't think my opinion is the one that matters.

If you had cancer you might just appreciate the funds raised even more.
It could go either way.

IMHO, whether you have cancer not irrelevant.

 

[risingsun]

What I do know is that the bracelet means nothing without the education.

Raising important funds is not nothing.
The racy phrase sells more bracelets, which raises more funds.

We are just going to have to agree to disagree about this. Using "racy" in the context of raising money for breast cancer does not compute for me. Breast cancer is not sexy and I don't think we should be using "racy" campaigns to raise money for this cause. It's not a question of being prudish, but one of respect for breast cancer victims, survivors, and those of us at risk. I don't support this campaign. There are numerous organizations to which contributions can be made. This information can be made known. If you want to show your support, make a contribution and wear the pink ribbon. That is already the recognized symbol of support for breast cancer. If there is going to be a bracelet,* make it with the pink ribbon symbol and say something more appropriate, such as "Help us fight breast cancer."

*I believe these bracelets already exist.

Okay, I agree to disagree (though I've never been sure what that means since not agreeing is always fine).
Agreement is overrated.
AFAIC everyone just states their opinion and they all just sit there on the table, the similar and the dissimilar ones.

So for the people opposed to the bracelets, what do you think should be done with all the money these inappropriate bracelets have raised?

I agree that doing bad things to raise money for a good cause is, overall, bad - such as robbing banks or killing people and selling their kidneys.

I just see these bracelets as a brilliant (and harmless) way to expand awareness and fund raising to a powerful, vibrant and until now untapped demographic, teens.

I guess some people see a bobbie bracelet raising dirty money.
Apparently you are weighing bad and good and you see the damage a boobie bracelet does to young minds as worse overall to society than the life-saving funds raised for a breast cancer awareness.
That is certainly your right.
I disagree.
I feel saving lives takes priority here, and tailoring fundraising to what works for all demographics saves more lives.

Clearly this is a "where do you draw the line" thing.
Of course I would not support drug sales or prostitution with proceeds going to a good cause.
But, come on, a rubber bobbie bracelet?

I have written about my own experience and that of my family with breast cancer. This was not an easy thing to do. I don't appreciate your writing a response to get a laugh at my expense. I wrote a serious post about my feelings. You certainly do not have to agree with me, but I think your response went too far. You have no idea what it is like to be in my shoes. To be told they found something on your mammogram and you need further tests. No, the thought of teens also having a laugh at the expense of women with or at risk for this disease, is not acceptable. How many teen age boys want to wear a bracelet that says "boobies" to benefit this cause. Maybe some. How many are doing it because it gives them permission to wear something "racy or funny." I would be interested to know. I wrote about alternatives to a boobie bracelet, which could be used with this demographic. I could easily think of more. I never said the bracelets did damage to young minds, I said the damage could be directed at the victims of the disease. I thought you were a different person than the one who made this post. It's been a long time since a post directed at me as brought me to tears. You simply don't get it.

 

[Haven]

First, I don't personally find this campaign offensive, but I am not someone who has had or has breast cancer, so frankly I don't think my opinion is the one that matters.

If you had cancer you might just appreciate the funds raised even more.
It could go either way.

IMHO, whether you have cancer not irrelevant.

I disagree. I think it is always relevant to consider the source in a discussion. If someone who has had breast cancer says they find these bracelets offensive, that makes me pause and reconsider my initial response to them, which in my case was that they are not offensive to me. I felt the same way when I was a student at the U of I--The Chief did not bother me as a mascot, but I'm not a Native American so who am I to really say whether or not he is an offensive mascot? Nobody, in my opinion.

I know you're at peace with disagreeing, Kenny, so my response is just to further clarify the statement of mine that you quoted. I'm not trying to bring you over to the dark side or anything.

 

[kenny]

First, I don't personally find this campaign offensive, but I am not someone who has had or has breast cancer, so frankly I don't think my opinion is the one that matters.

If you had cancer you might just appreciate the funds raised even more.
It could go either way.

IMHO, whether you have cancer not irrelevant.

I disagree. I think it is always relevant to consider the source in a discussion. If someone who has had breast cancer says they find these bracelets offensive, that makes me pause and reconsider my initial response to them, which in my case was that they are not offensive to me. I felt the same way when I was a student at the U of I--The Chief did not bother me as a mascot, but I'm not a Native American so who am I to really say whether or not he is an offensive mascot? Nobody, in my opinion.

I know you're at peace with disagreeing, Kenny, so my response is just to further clarify the statement of mine that you quoted. I'm not trying to bring you over to the dark side or anything.

Yes I'm at peace and am not working to convert anyone to my opinion.

I'll add that I think everyone gets one "vote" on an issue and only one whether he/she is a Native American or has cancer or not.
Whether a particular school has zero or 1000 Native Americans should not influence policy on naming the football team "The Braves".
If it's wrong, it's wrong, period.

Being in a group does not get you two or three votes.
So because I'm gay I should get two votes on gay marriage?
I don't think so.

Issues should be decided based on their inherent merits, not on sympathy for the particular individual who happens to be standing in front of you at the time. (unless you are a politician who lives for votes)

 

[risingsun]

First, I don't personally find this campaign offensive, but I am not someone who has had or has breast cancer, so frankly I don't think my opinion is the one that matters.

Second, regarding whether or not these bracelets should be allowed in high schools, I stand by my initial response that no, they should not. The problem goes beyond the potential distraction (which I think is a big issue) and into the fact that seeing peers wear bracelets that read "I love boobies" is something that is sure to make some (if not many) adolescent girls uncomfortable.

Now, I know that there are some PSers who will respond with "Well, that is their problem, not the wearer's problem! If teens are uncomfortable with their bodies, then THEY need to deal with it, not the teens who are wearing the bracelets." This is what I say to that argument: Poppycock. It is our job as educators to provide a safe learning environment for all of our students so we can best support their success. That means no clothing or accessories that have messages or images on them that are likely to make students uncomfortable. A bracelet that reads "I love boobies" is just what you need to make a young girl who has recently undergone some changes of her own to feel very uncomfortable around the wearer. THAT is the biggest problem with these bracelets in the schools, in my opinion. High school students are often hyper-self conscious, and this bracelet would just exacerbate a feeling of self consciousness that many teen girls are already dealing with.

I'm curious: How would people feel if a male high school teacher wore this bracelet? How would you feel if your teenage daughter was in this male high school teacher's English class?

Additionally, I don't understand how banning these bracelets from high school equals putting an end to the fundraising to be made from producing them. Last time I checked, teens were able to wear things OUTSIDE of school.

Finally, I would like to reiterate a point I made in an earlier post that has been ignored: Lance Armstrong's Livestrong bracelets have sold over 70 million $1 bracelets since 2004. They did not have to resort to anything potentially offensive to women OR cancer patients or survivors in order to sell these bracelets. I think those who make the argument that we need to put something outrageous or catchy on a bracelet in order to make it sell are underestimating Americans, and especially American teens, to tell you the truth.

The most popular bracelets that I currently see on my college freshmen are a far cry from these booby bracelets--instead of bearing a catchy phrase they bear the name of a loved one who has died, and that loved one is usually someone who died as a teen. Sometimes the bracelets have a phrase that the teen was known for saying, it's usually something profound or particularly touching. These bracelets are made in memory of teens who committed suicide, or died of cancer, or in an act of violence, a car crash, or some other horrific disease. Someone orders a number of these bracelets and the loved one's family and friends sell them at a fundraising event, a school game, or in the hallways during passing periods.

I wore a similar bracelet when I myself was a teen. It was silver, and it was produced by The Body Shop and sold to raise funds for AIDS awareness and research. The bracelets sold for $20 a piece, and I had it engraved with a lost loved one's name on it. I have multiple bracelets in my jewelry box now that bear the names of young Israeli soldiers who have died. Now that I think of it, I don't believe I could bring myself to wear an "I love boobies" bracelet next to a bracelet solemnly bearing the name of a lost loved one. I support cancer research by fundraising for multiple Relay for Life events each year. I send in monetary donations when I can. I buy products that bear the pink ribbon on them even if I don't need the product itself. There are so many ways to honor those whom we have lost to breast cancer, and those who are currently fighting it, I just don't see why anyone would argue that these booby bracelets, as benign as some might believe them to be, are truly necessary in the fight against breast cancer when survivors and patients have themselves declared that they find them to be offensive.

Haven~I wanted to quote your post, because you understand what I have been trying to say. There are alternatives that can raise awareness and be respectful to the cause. If you want to direct a bracelet campaign at teens, use a pink bracelet. Use a white bracelet with a pink ribbon. There a countless options. Provide education on an age appropriate level. Encourage contributions. This can be a positive effort, such as the Lance Armstrong campaign, without causing a offense or pain to the victims.

 

[kenny]

Haven~I wanted to quote your post, because you understand what I have been trying to say. There are alternatives that can raise awareness and be respectful to the cause. If you want to direct a bracelet campaign at teens, use a pink bracelet. Use a white bracelet with a pink ribbon. There a countless options. Provide education on an age appropriate level. Encourage contributions. This can be a positive effort, such as the Lance Armstrong campaign, without causing a offense or pain to the victims.

You'll make less money for the cause.

Teens go for what teens go for.
I'm for appealing to ALL demographic groups to raise more money and save more lives.

Sounds like people want to let some women die because prudish values are more important than saving lives.

 

[soocool]

I find this campaign offensive. My mother died from metastic breast cancer. I have recently gone through extensive testing to determine if a spot on my mammogram was malignant or not. It was not. Although some adolescents may be mature enough to understand the meaning of the bracelets, I would hazard a guess that many will not. I could easily become a joke. There is nothing humorous about this disease. If they want to educate this age group, there is a better way to do it. This, IMO, trivializes a disease and its victims, who deserve respect and compassion.

My mom also died from breast cancer. I think a better word should have been "mammogram". Maybe then people would really ask and listen. "Ask your mom if she had a mammogram".

 

[Haven]

Marian--Yes, I believe I understand to the extent I am able. I'm so sorry for your experiences, and I'm sorry that this thread has caused you pain.

Kenny--I'm not talking about votes, I'm talking about consideration. As individuals, we consider our own experiences as well as others' experiences when weighing our opinions about a matter. I firmly believe that the reactions of members of the group being targeted should absolutely be considered when people are responding to questions about the appropriateness of a campaign slogan or a mascot. I did not initially see any issues with the booby bracelet, but I was still interested in reading the reactions of people who are breast cancer patients and survivors. They have a perspective that I do not, and in my opinion, that perspective is important when considering whether a campaign is offensive.

Does my vote on an issue still count, even if I cannot directly relate to the issue? Of course. But if I want to be an informed voter, then you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be considering the ideas of those who do have direct experience with the issue. Otherwise, I'm going in uninformed. (That's not to say that I will ignore my own moral compass/ideas/beliefs/what have you, of course.)

To illustrate: I am a Jew. If we were discussing whether a statement about Jews was offensive or not, I would expect that non-Jews would be at least interested in hearing the perspective of some Jewish PSers before they closed their mind to the issue. Of course, that isn't the way everyone operates, and I understand and am okay with that. It is the way I operate, and yes, I do find it surprising that others don't care to hear from members of the targeted group before closing their minds to an issue. But that's okay, too.

 

[Haven]

Haven~I wanted to quote your post, because you understand what I have been trying to say. There are alternatives that can raise awareness and be respectful to the cause. If you want to direct a bracelet campaign at teens, use a pink bracelet. Use a white bracelet with a pink ribbon. There a countless options. Provide education on an age appropriate level. Encourage contributions. This can be a positive effort, such as the Lance Armstrong campaign, without causing a offense or pain to the victims.

You'll make less money for the cause.

Teens go for what teens go for.
I'm for appealing to ALL demographic groups to raise more money and save more lives.

Sounds like people want to let some women die because prudish values are more important than saving lives.

Untrue. Society grossly underestimates teenagers, and this is another example of that. Teens are not so stupid or ignorant that they are only attracted by shiny and potentially offensive objects. This kind of assumption is so pervasive in society today, and so offensive to teens that I'm not shocked that they are so distrusting of adults. We fail to give them any credit whatsoever.

 

[Haven]

I've really enjoyed reading this thread and participating in the discussion. So much so that I've neglected my Sunday paper for the first time in my life, and that's saying a lot. The Book Review is calling to me, but I wanted to post a thank you to all who have participated in this discussion, and especially to those who have shared their personal experiences with cancer. You are brave, and despite being on PS for so long I don't think I'd be able to do the same if this was a thread addressing the type of cancer that I dealt with, myself. So, thank you for sharing, I know it must have taken a lot.

ETA: I'm really going to read the paper after I post this, I swear.

Kenny, Justice Stephen Breyer just published a book that I think you'd really enjoy. (Did you hear his interview on NPR? It was great.) I haven't read the book, yet, but based on the NPR piece and what I've read about it on the web, it sounds very interesting. He discusses his view on interpreting the constitution, and if you're familiar with his decisions as a Supreme Court justice you'll know that his insight is bound to be fascinating, especially when he discusses issues that could have easily gone both ways.

Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Active-Liberty-Interpreting-Democratic-Constitution/dp/0307263134

 

[loriken214]

Men get breast cancer, too, and need to be educated about self exams.

I'm all for fund-raising and have contributed to cancer research, but would not wear this particular bracelet....JUST BECAUSE.

My bracelet of choice is for SLE Lupus and it says "Someone You Know Has Lupus" and is purple with a butterfly (the symbol for the butterfly rash on our face) on it. I wear my bracelet 24/7.....we have no cure and do not know what causes Lupus.

I think these bracelets are a BRILLIANT way to raise money for great causes, but the Boobie bracelet may be a bit much for kids in school. As young girls develop, we're faced with enough teasing/discomfort about our bodies and what we have to go through. Bringing more attention to our boobies, in public, isn't always a good thing, you know?

EVERYONE should be taught how do to a breast self exam and to know what is healthy and what isn't.

Lori

 

[kenny]

Marian--Yes, I believe I understand to the extent I am able. I'm so sorry for your experiences, and I'm sorry that this thread has caused you pain.

Kenny--I'm not talking about votes, I'm talking about consideration. As individuals, we consider our own experiences as well as others' experiences when weighing our opinions about a matter. I firmly believe that the reactions of members of the group being targeted should absolutely be considered when people are responding to questions about the appropriateness of a campaign slogan or a mascot. I did not initially see any issues with the booby bracelet, but I was still interested in reading the reactions of people who are breast cancer patients and survivors. They have a perspective that I do not, and in my opinion, that perspective is important when considering whether a campaign is offensive.

Does my vote on an issue still count, even if I cannot directly relate to the issue? Of course. But if I want to be an informed voter, then you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be considering the ideas of those who do have direct experience with the issue. Otherwise, I'm going in uninformed. (That's not to say that I will ignore my own moral compass/ideas/beliefs/what have you, of course.)

To illustrate: I am a Jew. If we were discussing whether a statement about Jews was offensive or not, I would expect that non-Jews would be at least interested in hearing the perspective of some Jewish PSers before they closed their mind to the issue. Of course, that isn't the way everyone operates, and I understand and am okay with that. It is the way I operate, and yes, I do find it surprising that others don't care to hear from members of the targeted group before closing their minds to an issue. But that's okay, too.

If something is right or wrong being in, or not in, the affected group is not relevant.
Plenty of white people opposed slavery.

 

[JulieN]

Raise your hand if you or someone you know had a male partner discover a breast lump.