UPDATE: Did they just say Fresno (boobies)? Indeed. Fresno's boobies bracelet debate continues at Jezebel, where a post on The Bee's story already has 87 comments. It's worth taking a look.
ORIGINAL POST: If you're looking for a fun discussion to jump into, check out the comments on today's Bee story about schools reacting to the popular "I ♥ boobies" bracelets for breast cancer awareness. In brief: Clovis Unified banned them; Fresno Unified banned them, but then decided they were OK.
So, are the bracelets harmless? In poor taste? Would it matter if they said "I ♥ balls" for testicular cancer? Should schools allow them or ban them?
Personally, I think the bracelets are cute. The saying has kids interested. It's better than them being oblivious. As someone who knows several women who have battled breast cancer in recent years, I'm glad young people have embraced the fad. Kids love to make adults squirm. What's the harm?
I think it's awesome the kids want to wear these bracelets. Breast cancer is something that needs to be addressed with people of all ages. If this is what it takes to make people aware, I'm all for it!
The bracelets are meant to spread awareness. I understand that some people will embrace them more because its a fad right now, but nonetheless, it is still spreading awareness....is that really such a bad thing? Breast Cancer has increasingly become more of a problem through the years...and its nice to see more people becoming more aware of this issue, especially the younger generations because the more awareness we spread, the sooner people will get tested, the more lives we can potentially save. Not to mention wearing a bracelet not only spreads awareness but buy purchasing one you also donate money along with it, usually.
We wear a lot of messages on our body -- most of them advertisements for certain companies because it's "cool." So here's a chance to wear a message that, while offensive to some, at least is spreading the word about a valuable cause. I'm good with that.
The people who are mad about this need to realize that the standards they're clinging to simply don't exist anymore. This younger generation is one of "I Heart Boobies" and "WTF" and "FML." Does that bother you? Or do you not even know what "FML" means? Times are changing. Deal with it.
Kids get behind a whole lot of annoying things -- at least this one has a heart.
I have to admit, I don't know what FML means. Family Medical Leave?
This is ridiculous. Boobies are not offensive. We use them to feed our little ones for goodness sake. Or have we forgotten that. Let's stop exploiting female body parts & support healthy men & women.
I think the idea of creating awareness is a great thing, but I don't think it should come at the cost of sacrificing other, also important, narratives.
The implicit narrative that comes with these particular bracelets is the disembodiment of women. I can tell you right now that I love my mom, who is a breast cancer survivor, for being my mom, for being a strong woman, and for being a human. I don't love her for her "boobies" and I think the idea that breasts need to be separated from the overall identity of women contributes to all the other aspects of our society that reduce women to just their body parts.
Ask yourself, how do you think a breast cancer survivor who's had a mastectomy feels about the statement, "I heart boobies!"? Suddenly, a women who has personally dealt with breast cancer, has survived, but no longer has boobies is excluded from the narrative and may even be made to feel like she doesn't matter because she doesn't have breasts that fit a societal norm perpetuated by this particular campaign.
Think about all the stunts that PETA pulls in the name of saving animals while at the same time, objectifying human women. It's a dirty bait and switch in my mind.
I think it's a sad illustration of a society that is more interested in gimmickry than substantial conversation about meaningful topics like breast cancer awareness. And before anyone jumps on me for being humorless or points out that I'm talking about this because of these bracelets, please don't. There are myriad other ways to draw attention to health issues that don't diminish the humanity of the very people who suffer with them.
I don't think the idea is about exclusion or reducing women to a body part. I think it is about finding a cure so women don't have to deal with the issue at all in the first place. As a woman, I don't find any offense or feel objectified by the statement. I have boobs. I like them. I want all women to be free of having to suffer from this disease. The women I know who have had a mastectomy don't seem to feel excluded or upset from this campaign, which is just another incarnation of the "Save the ta-tas" slogan that has been around awhile.
Kathy, I don't think the intent is exclusion either. It's the implication of how it's framed that I'm talking about, intentional or not.
My point is that the idea of saying, "I heart boobies," or "Save the ta-tas" automatically implies that the important thing is the breast; it must be saved! What about the woman? Why not, "I heart women" or "Save the women"? They still create dubious narratives on their own but I think they're better.
People say and use phrases with different intentions but that doesn't necessarily mean that they don't contribute to a larger understanding that serves to diminish the enormity or importance of things.
By example, some people like to use the word rape to describe things, a la, "I just got raped by that bank's ATM fees." I'm sure most people don't mean to, but they still draw a comparison between having one's personal autonomy violated in the most heinous of ways and getting charged $3.00 to withdraw cash from their savings account. It diminishes the enormity of what rape truly is.
I'm just saying that I think bracelets like this, while raising money and awareness, also serve to diminish the very people they seek to help. Lots of other people don't feel about this like I do and I understand that. I just wanted to contribute my perspective to the conversation.
Thanks, Adam. I appreciate your perspective. I'm glad you shared.
Thanks for sparking the discussion!
I feel like "I love Boobies" is harmless fun, and has definitely been raising some awareness...
But I would also dig an "I love women" bracelet... That's a good idea.
Did Mr. Oz just jack my "I heart Balls" idea from the FB discussion?
I don't know that we're Facebook friends ... are we? ... either way, I did not.
I meant FresnoBee.
Ouch, once again I get snubbed by Oz. 1st at a Ballgame and now this.
Ahhh, yeah, well, the FB comments scare me.
That's not a snub to you.
In Grand Junction, (Western Colorado), we prefer to "Save the Ta-Tas". But no matter how you say it, Boobies, Ta-tas, or Chi-Chis; it's the awareness of the issue that's important!
And with regard to testicular cancer prevention, "Take care of your testes, and they'll take care of you!" or "Don't just scratch 'em, check 'em!"
Adam,
That's the best comment I've read so far on this subject. You nailed it!
Thanks Jen.
Agreed, Jen.
the saying has kids interested in the word boobies, not breast cancer. i have the mind of a child, so I should know. boobies, ah yes, i want some!
Spend the $4 on gas to drive your kid to a cancer center and volunteer if they care so much.
Otherwise I'd suggest a change in focus to grades and school funding as opposed to fashion.
come on... students are wearing them because they say boobies. raising awareness is one thing, shock value is another. that just want to make a statement and see if they can get away with it.
BINGO!!!
I totally agree.
Shows how adults drop the ball. Oh isn't it nice? What ever works? So cute. DUH, this is school where none of these things should be worn.
How about one that says I love balls ()() for testicular cancer, or I love penises (----) for prostrate cancer, which the last I heard was even more devastating and more deserving, but it isn't the "in thing" that supersedes even learning. When a school administration makes decisions like this, these should be replaced and sent to the state legislature. It's time for the kids to tell these administrators to 'grow up!'
Jeebus.
Adam, your words are compelling, well writ, and your argument seems solid. Unfortunately, as a male type person, you probably aren't the best spokesman for this little PC thang of yours.
Saying "I Love Women" may be true, folks, but doesn't point the finger at the issue of breast cancer awareness.
Saying 'let's focus on grades in school!' is implying that kids (and adults) don't have the capability to do both. Same with 'spend the $4 on gas and volunteer at a cancer center.' Volunteerism is always welcome, but $4 goes partly to cancer research, and the only volunteers they need have MD after their name, or FDA on their business card.
"I Heart Boobies" is kitschy, katchy, and kute. The kiddies wouldn't have spent that $4 bucks otherwise, and it ain't like we're making those kids smoke cigs or do drugs or nuthin.'
PC go away on this, unless I hear otherwise from Tracy Correa: someone brave enough to share her fight on the front pages of the Bee, and looking really good doing so.
"Unfortunately, as a male type person, you probably aren't the best spokesman for this little PC thang of yours."
You don't think men should be allies for women or feminist arguments? Do you also believe that straight people shouldn't fight for the ideals of the gay community or that white people shouldn't fight for the ideals of people of color?
To discount my argument because I'm a man is a logical fallacy of the simplest kind. Ad hominems do not make a valid argument.
And if you're interested Stephen, here's the lead blogger of a feminist site saying very much the same thing I was trying to say. She's a woman, do you care to discount the argument again using some other fallacy?
I teach at a local middle school, none listed in the article, and let me tell you that 95% of kids wearing these are boys and they have no interest in the cause. I'm sure if you asked students what the bracelets truly meant they wouldn't be able to tell you in the majority of cases. If they want to wear them then I think they should have show some real interest in the cause like doing a research paper or volunteer. It's offensive more importantly distracting when a 12-13 year old boy comes with an arm with 4-5 of them on. If they want to wear them then let them wear them outside of the school grounds, there are of plenty of other things not allowed at school that are okay to be worn elsewhere. If the saying was about prostrate or testicular cancer, then it would not be attempted and no boy would even dream about wearing them.
Middle School.....enough said...
....make no mistake, this is not about a 'cause' it is about getting away with wearing this bracelet with a 'word' on it that the kids will giggle at...
I am sure it can be very distracting, especially now with the controversy
I agree with Lisa and Andrew. Chances are, if they offered a bracelet that had the exact same message without the shocking language, kids would not wear them.
They are distracting the learning process, it appears, with all the press. Just ban them, and move on.
Again for all of you people who think the bracelet is not harmful.....yes it is not harmful....all the comments seem to be natured towards the actual physical bracelet not the teens wearing them in high school. When a high school girl is wearing the bracelet and is well developed up top, and a boy decides to make some some sly sexual remark, its screaming for a sexual harassment suit. I have worked in a high school for many years and know first hand high school students this day of age are not the brightest when it comes to interactive and social decisions. We hear of Central students cutting down trees on campus, Coalinga students wearing American flag t-shirts on the Mexican Independence day (in fact the student was hispanic). I will wear one of these bracelets outside of work most definitely, both my mother and grandmother died of breast cancer. Is this appropriate for school? No, I think any educator would agree with me.
Im sad by all comments saying "ehh who cares, Im all for it" Remember we (adults) are not teenagers anymore!
When some girl is sexually harassed, Im sure opinions will change.
Yes, there are always going to be silly, immature kids who make inappropriate remarks and I can see how the bracelet can add to that. I can also see what a nightmare that could be for teachers. But isn't this an opportunity to educators and adults to engage kids and educate them? Instead of banning the bracelets, maybe schools can incorporate them into lessons, ask for essays, art work about cancer, have discussions about appropriate language and ways to talk about women, hold assemblies - anything to get kids talking about the issues these bracelets are raising. If the kids are interested enough, even for the wrong reasons, it seems like it great opportunity rather than a nuisance for schools.
I think this can be accomplished without the gimmick.
Boobies? That's what I call politicians.
Since there are people offended by BOOBIES...lets have the guy make I LOVE BREASTS... NO SLANG....
Everyone needs to calm down. It's a bracelet, big deal. If the school district bans it, that's their right to because they're main focus is to provide an education, thats about it. Boobs, well they're not in the curriculum for the most part. Just drop it and move on, and buy yourself a bracelet in the mean time for a good cause, you don't even have to wear it if it offends you that much.
Far be it from me as the conservative and as one who does LOVEEEEEE females baby feeders the idea that kids are wearing these bracelets to enhance some sort of awareness is so far fetched. I would venture to say that 90% of the kids that wear them have no idea what the bracelet was even intended for. This is a fad and one that is pushing again the envelope on what is acceptable. I feel it is just kids being dumb little immature jerks trying to be cool or get a laugh out of it. Hey i was once that kid, may still even be but this isn't bringing awareness to breast cancer like the original bracelet that started it all (LIVESTRONG). Anyway i'm not a fan and I know it even surprises me.
P.S if they are acceptable, can I buy one??? PLEASSSSE I'm all for creating awareness...that's what they are all about right?