I didn't know that "Boobies" was a bad word

I read an article recently about some high school kids who are banned from wearing a rubber bracelet at school because it has the word "boobies" on it. The "Keep A Breast" foundation sells various items to promote breast cancer awareness and to raise money for breast cancer education for young people. Since they are based on the west coast, they seem to have targeted various high schools up and down the coast to bring their special brand of art-education-advocacy to young people. Their goal is to raise awareness, teach preventative measures and generally educate young people about breast cancer.

Noble goal, right? Well... seems that some parents and school administrators have decided that the word "boobies" is simply offensive. Of course, you know that when I read this story I cringed. I mean... my blog is named "My Fabulous Boobies" right? Soooo... ya know. I think the word is funny and sort of cool. Yes, I know it is a bit risque but offensive? That never crossed my mind at all.

I have learned since I've been keeping this blog that the word is definitely one that conjures interesting web site choices on an internet search. I used to be dismayed by that when I looked at the stats for my blog. And then after awhile it dawned on me... that if people were searching for sites that objectified female breasts and ended up stumbling upon my little blog... well, that was wonderful! One more opportunity to bring awareness to breast cancer.

I know that kids are silly. I know that they will burst into a fit of giggles and raunchy behavior over the most simplistic things. However... I also know that breast cancer does strike young women. I know that very often young women don't think that breast cancer is something they should be concerned about. I know that until a young man experiences someone in his immediate circle dealing with breast cancer, he probably never gives it a thought. I would think that administrators and parents would be able to see a larger picture than "its disruptive" and allow the students to show their support for breast cancer awareness.

I learned about Keep A Breast because I saw a young man on the subway one day sporting one of their bracelets. Because I had been toying with the idea of creating "My Fabulous Boobies" bracelets, I was stunned and surprised. I practically chased him off the train so that I could get a better look at the bracelet and hopefully learn what organization was behind this. He informed me that he had received it at a breast cancer awareness event at his job and he wore it faithfully... mostly because it was funny but also because it had a larger meaning.

Aaahhhh... it did what it was supposed to do.

I am planning to create similar bracelets for "My Fabulous Boobies" (and t-shirts and other items as well). I am not a parent and maybe because I'm an old, single lady, I don't get what the hoopla is all about. But I really don't. (shrug)  I think that raising awareness about breast cancer is a wonderful thing, especially when its done in non-conventional ways.

The bracelets are innocent enough to me. But tell me what do you think? I really want to know.