Racy breast cancer bracelets causing controversy

[OhioChick]

10 hours and 40 minutes ago

CARLSBAD, Calif. - First there were the yellow Livestrong bracelets, now make way for a racy breast cancer awareness bracelets. These bracelets are not only gaining popularity, but causing quite a controversy in schools.

The "I love boobies" bracelet is the breast cancer awareness campaign from the Keep A Breast Foundation , which is a non-profit group based out of Carlsbad, Calif. that wanted to increase breast cancer awareness among teens, USA Today reported.

The one-inch wide bracelets retail for $3.99 and come in a variety of two tone colors with the words "I love boobies (Keep a Breast)" imprinted on them.

Teens across America have been sporting the bracelets and creating quite the debate at their schools.

Students at Klahowya Secondary School in Silverdale, Wash., were told that they must turn the "I love boobies" bracelets inside out if they insist on wearing them, Stylelist.com reported.

More: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/education/racy-breast-cancer-bracelets-causing-controversy

:shrug:

[uncommon]

1. Frankly I find the sexualizing of breast cancer awareness

to be really fucked up and insulting towards women. How about "I love Women" "Save a Life" - isn't that what we are supposed to be concerned about?

[usregimechange]

12. Is a boob more sexual than a breast?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

13. Only if you find the word "boobies" sexualizing

And as far as I know......only four year olds say that word.

[OmahaBlueDog]

22. Um....with respect

Breasts are a part of female sexuality. If that's what motivates people to promote breast cancer awareness -- and give money to find a cure, then (to me) it's all good.

[Dappleganger]

30. Have you ever had breast cancer?

I have. Two fucking times.
I really don't care how people become aware about BC education and research, only that it HAPPENS.

Save the Tatas is one of my favorites, btw. We have a magnet on my minivan as well as a smaller one on my motorcycle tank. They've become quite popular in this area and brings a smile to my face whenever we see someone else with a mag on their car.

My boob sister group agrees...

[lillypaddle]

46. Interesting

I've had breast cancer & a bi-lat mastectomy. Personally, I find the "save the ta-tas" sticker a little offensive, not because I think it sexualizes breast cancer, but it seems to sort of trivialize the issue. However, that being said, whatever raises awareness is fine by me in the long run.

[mattvermont]

2. said controversy has hit

my daughter middle school...and I am appalled by the level of oppression that is exhibited by the admin. They make the student turn it inside out.
WTF?? Twisted American sexuality at its best. This is about cancer, people!!

[KamaAina]

3. Similar slogans seen at breast cancer rallies include

"Save the Ta-Tas" and "Headlight Preservation Society".

[ThatsMyBarack]

5. There's also "Feel Your Boobies"

aka Instructions for breast self-examination.

[BattyDem]

4. Racy??

"Boobies" ... isn't that what most 4-year-olds call breasts? Or is it "keep a breast" that's considered racy? :shrug:

[FirstTimeVoterAt37]

6. I think it's an attention grabber

It's like those signs that say "SEX! Now that I've got your attention..." Make of that tactic what you will, but it does work.

[napi21]

7. Ahhhh, the Prudes are alive and well in America! nt

[blue neen]

8. ...but it's quite all right for the same teens to be exposed to Viagra ads every time they watch TV.

Okay. :shrug:

[HopeHoops]

9. I've had a pink and a white one for a couple of years now (got them at Spencer Gifts).

And good fucking grief - someone's offended by the word "boobies"???? If it wasn't for breast cancer awareness but instead had some sexual implication then sure, I could see such a reaction. This is not the case.

[leftstreet]

10. I wonder what testicular cancer bracelets would say n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

41. *

[donheld]

42. I love teabaggers

:hide::D

[Contrary1]

11. If anyone should be offended, it would be me...and those like me.

I have no breasts, due to cancer. I am alive. If bracelets, trinkets, bumper stickers, whatever, save one single life...so be it.

[OhioChick]

14. ................

:hug:

[Happyhippychick]

15. F&*ckin' A. And congrats to you on surviving!

[TorchTheWitch]

27. My mom is a breast cancer survivor

What does bother me is not the terms used like boobies or ta-ta's, etc. but the implication that the saving of the breast is more important than the saving of the woman with breast cancer particularly since - as you and my mom so unfortunately experienced - NOT saving the breast is very often the best or the only option in saving the life of the woman.

Losing one or both breasts is a very emotional and traumatic thing for a woman to face in large part to the importance men have placed on a woman's breasts, and slogans that emphasize the saving of a woman's breasts due to cancer especially when saving them is very often not the best option or no option at all certainly doesn't help. My mom was very fortunate in not having much of any emotional attachment to her breasts, but this is rare. She may be alive today because she did have the option of doing a lumpectomy and either radiation or chemo but immediately chose total removal of the cancerous breast the very next day without a second opinion because her life was far more important to her and being far more assured of non-recurring cancer and having to go through months of further treatment of either radiation or chemo especially since at the time she was already rather overwhelmed with having to take care of my cancer riddled father. She even likes the replacement she was given in the same operation better than her other natural breast.

I'm bothered by these slogans that imply saving a woman's breasts is more important than saving HER especially considering that so often the only way to save HER is to NOT save her breast(s) as it emphasizes in a most extreme way how women are STILL so much not seen as people but mere T&A for men's enjoyment. Though it may raise awareness of breast cancer it does it in a very insulting way toward women in what it clearly implies. Let's face it, no one is buying these bracelets or bumper stickers to help raise awareness about breast cancer, they're buying them because they think this offensive message that a woman's tits are more important than her life is funny. "To hell with the women, save their tits! har har har" - no, not funny and not the least bit appropriate especially considering the emotional trauma of losing one or both breasts and that is very often the best or only option. Woman need LESS emotional attachment to their breasts considering breast cancer and these offensive slogans only make it worse. So many many more women may have lived if they chose the option of taking the breast(s) off than trying so hard to save them. I often wonder if my mom would still be alive if she had tried to save hers.

[Dappleganger]

35. I see your point...

and you've given some interesting things to think about. However, I strongly disagree with the statement, " Let's face it, no one is buying these bracelets or bumper stickers to help raise awareness about breast cancer, they're buying them because they think this offensive message that a woman's tits are more important than her life is funny."

While there may be some who do, there many many people who are quite genuine in buying magnets, bracelets, t-shirts, etc. in order to help spread the word. Most people I have met who bought these were actually family members and friends who just wanted to do something, ANYthing to get the word out as they were frustrated with the lack of education (as well as just wanting to contribute to the cause, somehow). If you judged my friends and family members as being glib so quickly, you would be judging some of the most caring, thoughtful and best friends a woman fighting BC could have.

As for the emotional attachment to breasts, I agree with you on that. Quite honestly it was a fairly easy decision for me than I thought it was going to be. But I blame my family and friends for helping it be that way. ;)

BTW, I'm glad you still have your mom. Enjoy your time with her...I know I miss mine terribly.

[Dappleganger]

31. Boob sister here.

2X survivor. My mother was also a survivor (although she died from something else), as well as one aunt who had it twice and another who didn't make it. I don't care how it happens that people find out, only that it happens. BC has gutted the women in our family.

Men, pay attention. You're getting BC too and the incidents are going UP.

[Contrary1]

33. You know what insults me the most?

Not the references to tatas or boobies. It's the $50.+ bras, and the $200. for one prosthetic breast.

I've saved myself and the insurance company a small fortune over the years. I was fortunate enough to find an Ebay seller that sold me bras at her cost of $15 bucks each. She sold me 10 of them.

Instead of prostheses, I fill knee-high nylons with premium grade birdseed. Lighter, cooler in the summer, and much more comfortable. They last a few months and I pitch them.

Not real sexy, as if I even care at this point in my life; but believe it or not, they look very natural.

[Dappleganger]

34. Nothing like being taken advantage of after all that.

Sounds like you found a great deal, though. Wish I was that lucky.

Mine are both gone...didn't want to take anymore chances with the family history. I *hate* prosthetics and only wear it out of the house. It's so humid here in FL and they make me itch (that and scar tissue, ugh).

Great idea about the birdseed--biodegradable, too. Will have to think about that one.

[Contrary1]

36. I used to live in Jacksonville...I can only imagine how uncomfortable it is for you.

Give the birdseed a shot. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. When it gets very hot, I sprinkle some baby or bath powder on them. Helps keep me dry.

Stay well. :hug:

http://www.a-zbreastcancer.com/articles/prosthesis-2.htm

[Dappleganger]

39. "don't go swimming or you'll sprout"

Ok, I needed that laugh!


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[wellstone dem]

16. "Save Second Base"

A t-shirt spotted warn by a man at a Minnesota Twins Game, with a pink cancer ribbon on it. I loved it.

[Swamp Rat]

17. If fit helps raise awareness, I'm all for it.

Putting up with a few so-called offensive trinkets is nothing compared to enduring a mastectomy.

[SoxFan]

18. Amen, brother

My mother underwent surgery, chemo, and radiation a few years ago, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Thankfully, she recovered and has her weird sense of humor back, so I may have to get her one of these wristbands!

[HarveyDarkey]

19. I love them too

They're adorable birds

[seabeyond]

20. boys are not wearing these bracelets to support breast cancer, but to use to demean their fellow

female student in class.

let's teach them young and sanction this behavior thru an illness that kills women.

many of the bracelets the boys are buying has nothing to do with any cancer related org. just business making profit off teenage boys.

you throw one group of our young girls under the bus to help another group of our women.

and there sits the guy, taking full advantage.

and to those that say only four year olds say boobies... well hell, du has a lot of four year olds posting.

[Goblinmonger]

26. Bullshit

My freshmen son has one and is well aware of and compassionate to breast cancer issues. He is not wearing it to demean his fellow female classmates. Stop projecting what you fear the most of some assholes onto all males, please.

[seabeyond]

28. mostly guys wearing it because it says boobs

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/06/3007914/rocklin-high-suspends-boy-for.html

"Now it's mostly guys wearing it because it says boobs," said Cody Vanderveer, 15.

[Goblinmonger]

47. Way to be intellectually dishonest to prove a point.

The line RIGHT AFTER YOUR QUOTATION SAYS:

"He quickly was drowned out by his friends."

Then we get quotations from two other people about how it is working and that they are wearing it for real reasons:

""Many people wear it because it's such a fad," said Victoria Michel, 19, "but now the reasoning behind it is becoming more popular."

"Antonio Velazquez, 18, who said he started the Keep A Breast trend at Grant High School in Del Paso Heights, has been wearing his black-and-white "i love boobies" bracelet and a yellow Livestrong cancer awareness bracelet for more than a year."

Way to take shit out of context to prove your point. How progressive of you.

[OmahaBlueDog]

21. Sacramento Bee: Rocklin High suspends boy for 'i love boobies' wristband

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/06/3007914/rocklin-high-suspends-boy-for.html

It says in this article that the "Save A Breast" foundation has sold a million of these bracelets.

[rocktivity]

23. I was asked to help promote a benefit concert for breast cancer

It was organized by the promoter himself, whose girlfriend had a benign lump. He named the benefit "Rock For Racks!" I suppose I should have been offended, but I figured the guy's heart was in the right place (if you'll pardon the expression)!

:headbang:
rocktivity

[Dappleganger]

32. Awesome! nt

[EFerrari]

38. That's hilarious. Good for him.

:)

[FirstTimeVoterAt37]

24. Before you can educate people...

You have to make them want to stop and listen to you.

[Flying Squirrel]

25. I saw a baby playing with one of those bracelets

I think that baby really loved boobies.

;)

[Art_from_Ark]

29. If those bracelets are "racy"

then I'm Pope Napoleon XIV :crazy:

[Bosso 63]

37. So its bad for children to be aware of breasts?

I kinda thought that the actual function of breasts was intended for children.
On the other hand,I can see that some people might find the bracelets of "questionable" taste, but to them, I would suggest that they might want to look for a more worthy cause to invest their time and effort,i.e. cancer.
For God's sake its only a freaking bracelet.

[Warren DeMontague]

40. The word boobie is "racy"?

God help us all if those poor children should ever hear about THIS bird:

[Art_from_Ark]

43. Or this bird

The tufted titmouse!

[Warren DeMontague]

45. *

[JI7]

44. I saw a Bunch of Little Girls with these on at some Labor Day event

i didn't check closely but thought maybe i wasn't reading the whole thing.

[Heywood J]

48. So... we have the highest teen pregnancy and STD rates,

where one out of every two children will get an STD and something like one out of five or ten will get pregnant. Then they're off to the meat grinders of Iraq or Afghanistan, as their jobs have been shipped away.

But we're all upset about the fact they might know a slang term for a body part? Some people...