I Love Boobies

 Now don't get your knickers in a twist, the blog title is a new breast cancer support slogan that is simultaneously bringing the word about the disease to younger women and rankling school administrators.

The slogan, originally printed on rubber bracelets, has moved into a major marketing powerhouse. T-Shirts, water bottles, basically anything that can have a slogan printed on it is finding itself branded with I (Heart) Boobies.

So should school administration be up in arms?

Lynn Mankse, high school principal, says teachers and some students find the slang word offensive. Okay, I can agree with that. I found myself blushing as I used the word with coworkers while discussing the story. 

But isn't that the point? Why should people be shy about their body parts? I don't blush when talking about my feet or ears or fingers.

Keep-A-Breast says they are trying to get to younger people to help them understand that regular exams and awareness can save their lives. If girls are embarrassed by their bodies — and many are particularly embarrassed by this part of their bodies — they may not get the information they need. 

And the English language is alive, meanings change and adapt. Lots of words bandied about by these very same students are ones I wasn't allowed to say when I was their age. 

And what about those Hooter T-shirts? I personally hate them, but I think that may be the point of them. Hooters caters to low-class, sexually charged humor, and that marries perfectly with young boys.  The shirts, however, don't show any breasts or reference them directly, only with slang, which is exactly they problem with the bracelets.

What it seems to come down to is, does the point of the message excuse the content? Would I let my son wear the bracelet?

I think I would when he is old enough to understand the issue. But I promise you this: I will never let him wear at Hooter's t-shirt.