Breast Cancer Awareness Gone Wrong (Warning: Rant)

[Grace-Like-Rain]

This is a few months old so you may have already seen it, but I just became aware of it so I wanted to get opinions.

A woman put a hidden camera in her hot pink "sexy" bra, and then walked around with her jacket unzipped and her bra exposed to see who would sneak a peek. The promo said that she wasn't doing it to embarrass guys (or girls) who peeked, but to highlight another issue altogether. I thought, "Okay, this is a bad idea, but if they are going to use this video to show that women maybe need to cover their cleavage, at least there's some benefit to it."

But it turns out that this is a breast cancer awareness video. I just don't understand how deliberately walking around half exposed with your bra on display really benefits the cause? I've seen a lot of Breast Cancer Awareness ideas over the years. Facebook campaigns that encourage women to reveal their bra color in their status while keeping it's meaning secret from all the men (they'll wonder what we are talking about! Don't tell them!) were really kinda terrible... For one thing, men get breast cancer too. And for another, shouldn't we be encouraging men to get involved and be supportive, rather than alienating them? This seems to be just another bad idea in a long row of bad ideas...

But maybe I'm being too critical. What do you think about campaigns like this being done in support of breast cancer?

***Please note that I am in no way against raising support and awareness for breast cancer. I just feel like there are better ways than objectifying and flaunting yourself in public.***

(I found it interesting to note that at least half of the looks this woman got were NOT appreciative.)

[video=youtube;8Gr1OJbidw8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gr1OJbidw8[/video]

 

[blue_ladybug]

This is a few months old so you may have already seen it, but I just became aware of it so I wanted to get opinions.

A woman put a hidden camera in her hot pink "sexy" bra, and then walked around with her jacket unzipped and her bra exposed to see who would sneak a peek. The promo said that she wasn't doing it to embarrass guys (or girls) who peeked, but to highlight another issue altogether. I thought, "Okay, this is a bad idea, but if they are going to use this video to show that women maybe need to cover their cleavage, at least there's some benefit to it."

But it turns out that this is a breast cancer awareness video. I just don't understand how deliberately walking around half exposed with your bra on display really benefits the cause? I've seen a lot of Breast Cancer Awareness ideas over the years. Facebook campaigns that encourage women to reveal their bra color in their status while keeping it's meaning secret from all the men (they'll wonder what we are talking about! Don't tell them!) were really kinda terrible... For one thing, men get breast cancer too. And for another, shouldn't we be encouraging men to get involved and be supportive, rather than alienating them? This seems to be just another bad idea in a long row of bad ideas...

But maybe I'm being too critical. What do you think about campaigns like this being done in support of breast cancer?

***Please note that I am in no way against raising support and awareness for breast cancer. I just feel like there are better ways than objectifying and flaunting yourself in public.***

(I found it interesting to note that at least half of the looks this woman got were NOT appreciative.)

[video=youtube;8Gr1OJbidw8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gr1OJbidw8[/video]

Grace, to try and answer your question of "how walking around with your bra half-exposed benefits the cause," if you watch near the end of the video it says "your breasts are checked out every day by OTHERS. So when is the last time YOU checked them"?
I think the point is that YOU should be checking your breasts as closely as the others in this vid did, in order to detect possible breast cancer. And btw, the pink color of the bra is the color of the breast cancer awareness ribbon.

 

[CatHerder]

I actually think this is better than some of the other campaigns, but that is not saying much. The "checking out" pun reminding a woman to check on herself is kind of clever. I do appreciate that they showed women looking as well as the men and that the men weren't made out to be letches for looking at a hot pink undergarment that is exposed (who wouldn't cast an involuntary glance?).

I don't like the buttons, bumper stickers and other merchandise such as "Save the [insert slang term for breasts here]." That seems to objectify women, IMHO and is just rather tasteless and devoid of class. And lest people think that men with an adolescent mindset are the ones buying and displaying such merchandise, I regularly see women wearing such breast cancer awareness T-shirts saying "I love my big (or tiny) [insert term here]." It may make money, but continues to objectify women. It's like making a step forward in one arena, only to take two steps back in another. Clearly there is a classier way to raise funds and awareness.

I also don't like how militant their organization is regarding fundraising. I gave one year, and then next year, they phoned me. I had already given to another charity, and they were acting like I was obliged to give to them instead of the other organization. It was rather off-putting.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

Grace, to try and answer your question of "how walking around with your bra half-exposed benefits the cause," if you watch near the end of the video it says "your breasts are checked out every day by OTHERS. So when is the last time YOU checked them"?
I think the point is that YOU should be checking your breasts as closely as the others in this vid did, in order to detect possible breast cancer. And btw, the pink color of the bra is the color of the breast cancer awareness ribbon.

Yes, I saw the end where it mentioned checking yourself. The connection seemed forced to me. Like doing something for shock value, and then adding a little memo at the end to connect the two.

Seems contrived.

 

[Charcoal]

When I'm at a restaurant with my kids, if my server is wearing a "Save the [slang term]" or an "I <3 [slang term]" bracelet, etc. that is *Supposedly* in support of breast cancer, I always start by interrupting them and telling them to turn it over their bracelet or take it off, pointing out that I have CHILDREN with me and telling them to "Keep it Disney." If they're cool about it, I do not count off when it comes to tipping time. I did, Once, talk to a manager about it.

Why do we say it like that anyway.... everyone is supporting this cancer or that cancer... why not be OPPOSED to cancer?

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

Do Sexy Breast Cancer Campaigns Demean Women? | Psychology Today

...six sexually objectifying techniques commonly used in breast cancer awareness campaigns to get attention, raise money, and lure people to the Cause.

1. Use women's bodies as literal objects (canvases, ribbons)
2. Hone in on the breasts (chest-level videos, animatronic boobs)
3. Use objects in place of breasts (cupcakes, bowling balls)
4. Objectify breasts with language (jugs, racks, funbags)
5. Depict breasts as things to be touched or groped
6. Show women as objects of the male gaze

 

[Charcoal]

Without reading the article, or watching the video, my opinion is Yes, the "s--y" campaigns do more often than not cross the lines and objectify and demean women. It may not be a popular opinion, but it's mine and I'll stand by it.

 

[Loveneverfails]

While I appreciate the very noble intent of breast cancer awareness campaigns, my problem is that a lot of these campaigns just want to celebrate breasts, rather than the woman as a whole. I don't want doctors/researchers to "save the [insert slang term for breasts here]". I want them to save LIVES.

I understand that women have battled breast cancer and have required mastectomy experience a whole range of trauma/emotions, but they still call themselves "survivors" because they are alive.

Breast cancer awareness campaigns should draw more attention to the value of human life and the desire to see cancer stopped in it's tracks than on one particular part of the body, especially when the focus on that body part is portrayed in a sexual manner.

It's actually ridiculous when you think about it. Most other forms of cancer have awareness campaigns that focus on the human lives they're trying to protect rather than the body part/system that is affected. Can you imagine if the same methods employed for breast cancer were used to promote awareness for prostate cancer?

...

On second thought, stop. Do not imagine that.

*shudder*

 

[maxwel]

This is a few months old so you may have already seen it, but I just became aware of it so I wanted to get opinions.

A woman put a hidden camera in her hot pink "sexy" bra, and then walked around with her jacket unzipped and her bra exposed to see who would sneak a peek. The promo said that she wasn't doing it to embarrass guys (or girls) who peeked, but to highlight another issue altogether. I thought, "Okay, this is a bad idea, but if they are going to use this video to show that women maybe need to cover their cleavage, at least there's some benefit to it."

But it turns out that this is a breast cancer awareness video. I just don't understand how deliberately walking around half exposed with your bra on display really benefits the cause? I've seen a lot of Breast Cancer Awareness ideas over the years. Facebook campaigns that encourage women to reveal their bra color in their status while keeping it's meaning secret from all the men (they'll wonder what we are talking about! Don't tell them!) were really kinda terrible... For one thing, men get breast cancer too. And for another, shouldn't we be encouraging men to get involved and be supportive, rather than alienating them? This seems to be just another bad idea in a long row of bad ideas...

But maybe I'm being too critical. What do you think about campaigns like this being done in support of breast cancer?

***Please note that I am in no way against raising support and awareness for breast cancer. I just feel like there are better ways than objectifying and flaunting yourself in public.***

(I found it interesting to note that at least half of the looks this woman got were NOT appreciative.)

Well...
I think men should be more appreciative.

 

[hoss2576]

Well...
I think men should be more appreciative.

Appreciate a woman showing her cleavage?

 

[CatHerder]

While I appreciate the very noble intent of breast cancer awareness campaigns, my problem is that a lot of these campaigns just want to celebrate breasts, rather than the woman as a whole. I don't want doctors/researchers to "save the [insert slang term for breasts here]". I want them to save LIVES.

^^This^^ is what I was trying to get at. Repworthy comment.

I understand that women have battled breast cancer and have required mastectomy experience a whole range of trauma/emotions, but they still call themselves "survivors" because they are alive.

Breast cancer awareness campaigns should draw more attention to the value of human life and the desire to see cancer stopped in it's tracks than on one particular part of the body, especially when the focus on that body part is portrayed in a sexual manner.

It's actually ridiculous when you think about it. Most other forms of cancer have awareness campaigns that focus on the human lives they're trying to protect rather than the body part/system that is affected. Can you imagine if the same methods employed for breast cancer were used to promote awareness for prostate cancer?

...

On second thought, stop. Do not imagine that. **snicker**

*shudder*

..........

 

[lil_christian]

This is a few months old so you may have already seen it, but I just became aware of it so I wanted to get opinions.

A woman put a hidden camera in her hot pink "sexy" bra, and then walked around with her jacket unzipped and her bra exposed to see who would sneak a peek. The promo said that she wasn't doing it to embarrass guys (or girls) who peeked, but to highlight another issue altogether. I thought, "Okay, this is a bad idea, but if they are going to use this video to show that women maybe need to cover their cleavage, at least there's some benefit to it."

But it turns out that this is a breast cancer awareness video. I just don't understand how deliberately walking around half exposed with your bra on display really benefits the cause? I've seen a lot of Breast Cancer Awareness ideas over the years. Facebook campaigns that encourage women to reveal their bra color in their status while keeping it's meaning secret from all the men (they'll wonder what we are talking about! Don't tell them!) were really kinda terrible... For one thing, men get breast cancer too. And for another, shouldn't we be encouraging men to get involved and be supportive, rather than alienating them? This seems to be just another bad idea in a long row of bad ideas...

But maybe I'm being too critical. What do you think about campaigns like this being done in support of breast cancer?

***Please note that I am in no way against raising support and awareness for breast cancer. I just feel like there are better ways than objectifying and flaunting yourself in public.***

(I found it interesting to note that at least half of the looks this woman got were NOT appreciative.)

[video=youtube;8Gr1OJbidw8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gr1OJbidw8[/video]

What bothers me is, the media seems to be all about JUST breast cancer. The other, more deadly cancers aren't getting any publicity (such as ovarian, brain, pancreatic, etc.) or funds for research and cures, and maybe even screenings for those (while symptoms may not occur at first, when you DO have symptoms, it's usually too late. Which is why screenings for other cancers should be encouraged and funded). There's been LOADS of research done for breast cancer and there's a much higher survival rate for it than most cancers. With the ones like pancreatic and ovarian, there's a less than 2% survival rate going for them.

Awareness should be brought to other kinds, not JUST breast cancer. While supporting and raising awareness for it is okay, I highly doubt that there are people who don't know of breast cancer, in men and women alike.

To reel it back in, the ways they support and bring awareness to breast cancer are objectifying and STUPID. Like, saying what color your underwear is, putting the name of a fruit out there according to your relationship status...it doesn't do anything but make us loose our dignity. But of course we'd lose our dignity for the sake of charity. And if you don't you're looked down upon for it, being called a hater and such. Well, I say no, it's called keeping my dignity because there's a better way to do things other than exposing ourselves or wearing demeaning wristbands saying, "Save the [insert objectifying name here]!"

Sorry, I guess I had a little rant of my own. >.<

 

[maxwel]

Appreciate a woman showing her cleavage?

I am so misunderstood.

I'm just trying to help people with cancer.

 

[biscuit]

Grace, to try and answer your question of "how walking around with your bra half-exposed benefits the cause," if you watch near the end of the video it says "your breasts are checked out every day by OTHERS. So when is the last time YOU checked them"?
I think the point is that YOU should be checking your breasts as closely as the others in this vid did, in order to detect possible breast cancer. And btw, the pink color of the bra is the color of the breast cancer awareness ribbon.

What would Jesus think? I don't believe He would say it is a cute idea??

IMHO, I believe it is a form of sexual perversion and that is a sin.

 

[AsifinPassing]

Sex sells. America worships money. Focus on (save) sex, so we can get more money. *underlying intent revealed! See p.5*

 

[Roh_Chris]

But maybe I'm being too critical. What do you think about campaigns like this being done in support of breast cancer?

Okay, that was a crude way of spreading an important message. And I don't approve of the campaign. But, I would like to answer your question from three different viewpoints.

1) Did it garner a lot of attention?

I am sure it did. The video has been watched about 8.5 million times so it has gained a lot of attention. And the lines at the end should have conveyed the message that women ought to pay attention to their breasts.


2) Was it the right way to spread the message?

No, I don't think so. The link you posted clearly shows why it is wrong to spread messages like this. A responsible breast cancer awareness campaign must use non-sexual content to convey the message. Having a sexual undertone to such an important issue reduces the importance of the campaign, i.e. highlighting the importance of regular breast self-examination. So, I don't think this was the right way to spread the message.


3) Should this be emulated?

I can't say for sure. My alternative question would be 'Would a non-sexual "clean" campaign on creating awareness of breast cancer attract this much of attention?' If the answer to that question is 'yes', then this campaign should not be emulated. But looking at the break-down of culture and the perversion of society, I don't think the answer would be 'yes'.

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

Okay, that was a crude way of spreading an important message. And I don't approve of the campaign. But, I would like to answer your question from three different viewpoints.

1) Did it garner a lot of attention?

I am sure it did. The video has been watched about 8.5 million times so it has gained a lot of attention. And the lines at the end should have conveyed the message that women ought to pay attention to their breasts.


2) Was it the right way to spread the message?

No, I don't think so. The link you posted clearly shows why it is wrong to spread messages like this. A responsible breast cancer awareness campaign must use non-sexual content to convey the message. Having a sexual undertone to such an important issue reduces the importance of the campaign, i.e. highlighting the importance of regular breast self-examination. So, I don't think this was the right way to spread the message.


3) Should this be emulated?

I can't say for sure. My alternative question would be 'Would a non-sexual "clean" campaign on creating awareness of breast cancer attract this much of attention?' If the answer to that question is 'yes', then this campaign should not be emulated. But looking at the break-down of culture and the perversion of society, I don't think the answer would be 'yes'.

Good response Chris! You're right... less controversial, less racy campaigns would likely not draw nearly as much attention. I guess that goes back to the age-old question: Is bad attention better than no attention? No easy answer for that one.

 

[ServantStrike]

Well...
I think men should be more appreciative.

You probably should have qualified this statement a bit better...

Additionally, if anyone wants go get upset, they should probably focus on how this entire video was about boobs, and the link in the video links to more boobs, and not a single click through to their pink ribbon campaign. All boobs, no substance. It took me entirely too long (like two minutes) to find said campaign, only to confirm what I was really concerned about all along - they use the words "for the cure."


Susan G Komen trademarked the words "for the cure" so now anyone who wants to use them may be sued for trying to collect money "for the cure" if they don't have the komen foundation's blessing.