Save The Women (Not Just Their Breasts)
October 7, 2010 4 Comments
- I like it on the floor.
- I like it on the kitchen table.
- I like it on top of the washing machine.
The latest breast cancer awareness campaign involves women posting where they like to put their handbags.
What? You say it makes no sense? Let me explain.
People are supposed to be intrigued enough to find out what it’s all about which will lead them to this website, where they will have the option to get more information about breast cancer or sex.
Convoluted? Yes.
Effective? Probably not.
Breast cancer awareness campaigns have a history of exploiting the sexiness of the mammary glands. The “I Heart Boobies” drive pissed off school administrators and confused students. Last year’s Canadian PSA had a woman jiggling around a pool. The tagline was: “You know you like them, now it’s time to save the boobies.”
Look, I get it. Everybody loves tits.
But these campaigns are getting perilously close to implying that the only reason breast cancer matters is because it would be a shame if the world lost another pair of fun-bags.
When we lose someone to breast cancer, we lose a lot more than a real life blow-up doll. As a society, we miss out on all the little kindnesses those people would perform during their lives. Their ability to live out their dreams and to inspire others is cut short by an unnecessary and painful death.
Yes, breasts are sexy, but they would be nothing without their women.
My problem with this campaign is that it uses sex to get our attention, but then does nothing with it. It does not provide information or raise money for breast cancer awareness or research.
While you’re here you can donate to breast cancer awareness efforts, or watch below to learn how to check your breasts.
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I haven’t heard a single positive thing about this campaign. And, amazingly, I haven’t actually noticed anybody participating. Guess I pick my friends well?
It is even dumber than last year’s effort (colour of your bra) – at least that had some vague relation to breasts. Handbags, honestly? In the first place, some of us don’t even use handbags. I know plenty of girls that don’t.
And is there anyone left in the world who isn’t “aware” of breast cancer? One in three women will get breast cancer in their lives. WE’RE AWARE. So what the hell is the point of “raising awareness”?
(You might like to edit this to add “posting on Facebook/Twitter” or something, it’s a little ambiguous as it’s written.)
Why does the article have a sexy picture of cleavage if they don’t like the emphasis placed on the sexiess of breasts?
Breasts are damn sexy.
However, I don’t like the fact that some breast cancer awareness campaigns make them the most important factor — as if the women attached to the breasts are worthless.
Their message is “Breast cancer destroys breasts,” not “Breast cancer kills people.”
I thought the picture with the tagline “Boobs. What more motivation do you need?” perfectly summed up my concerns.
Bravo, magnificent idea