Keep-A-Breast Bracelets Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Banned in Schools

The Keep -A-Breast Foundation is an organization that aims to teach teens and young adults methods of early detection, and methods of prevention to help stop the spread of breast cancer.  The foundation taps into music festivals, surf and skate contests and other events of interest to young people where they set up cancer information booths.   There, teens and young adults learn to make choices that will guard against the dangers of breast cancer.

Breast cancer has become the number one cause of cancer deaths in young women under the age of 40, and girls as young as 10 have been diagnosed with the disease.  It is vital that young girls learn to understand the seriousness of the disease and take proper action to prevent it.

To help support this effort, the Keep-A-Breast Foundation receives donations and sells products that help support  getting out their message.  One of the foundation's most successful fund-raisers has been the sale of  "I Love Boobies" rubber bracelets.  These bracelets have been extremely popular with 12 to 18 year olds.

Unfortunately, some school districts have found the use of the word "boobies" objectionable, and have banned the wearing of the bracelets in class, or have asked their students to turn the bracelet inside out, so the lettering is not seen.  Schools in California, Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Wisconsin, Wyoming have all banned or restricted the wearing of the bands.

Words have meanings and consequences, but words lose their meaning if the context and use of word is not taken into account.  A word can have a sexual or negative meaning used in one way, but can be caring and compassionate used in another context. Intention is rarely considered by censors, even well-meaning ones.  The Keep-A-Breast Foundation has purposely use the word "boobies," to create a little controversy to raise money for a good cause. Is the word sexual or obscene? No.  Is the cause an important one.  Absolutely.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month ends today, but the dangers of breast cancer continue to affect young people's lives.  The Keep-A-Breast Foundation is helping to spread awareness of this terrible killer, and we should continue to support them.  Please visit their site at http://www.keep-a-breast.org/, and buy some bracelets for yourself and your friends.  Also, be sure and check with your school to understand their dress code policy, Hopefully it will be a compassionate one.