Founded in 1974, the Women’s Center was established to:
Dismantle, from a feminist perspective, all forms of oppression, including but not limited to those based on ability, age, class, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation.
Advocate for an equitable environment free from violence and harassment based on gender, race, and sexual orientation.
Create an anti-racist, non-sexist, queer-affirmative space where all people can feel valued and safe.
Facilitate and strengthen connections among people across lines of difference through programming and educational campaigns.
Integrate an appreciation of Women's Gender and Multicultural Studies across the disciplines.


Thursday, October 28, 2010

No, It's Not a Secret.



What are our feelings about the above advertisement? It was created by The Breast Cancer Fund in the United States, but was rejected by advertising spaces by Viacom "over fears that its depiction of mastectomy scars would prove to be too shocking to the public".

I think this brings up an interesting discussion. It is not uncommon for the fight against breast cancer to be over sexualized to get heterosexual men involved and interested in the cause.



Personally, I think the showing a picture of a scar is completely appropriate and something the average American woman should be exposed to. As a senior nursing major, I’ve seen final stage, full blown breast cancer (google images and then decide how “shocking” a scar is) and let me tell you, a mastectomy scar is not “too shocking”, even for the public. And let’s speak the truth here, it’s more often times than not the “shocking” stuff that get people to be concerned about their personal health. Why don’t we try and do our country some good and oh, I don’t know, ban harmful tobacco or alcohol advertisements?

8 comments:

  1. Breasts foster life so it's hard for many to see the life giver scarred. This kind of advertisement will take time for the majority to accept...press on.

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  2. It is outrageous that this advert was turned down.

    Women who breastfeed their babies are still discriminated against. When is the last time you saw people eating lunch in a public restroom/washroom./bathroom/toilet/loo? Yet very often, that's where "baby feeding rooms" are located...if they exist at all.

    How many women risk and loose their lives to preserve their breasts? How many women have risked their lives by surgically adding implants to perfectly healthy breasts?

    How many augmented breasts has Viacom happily displayed?

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  4. Hypothetical question. If I was in an abusive relationship with My spouse, and I was being abused by her, would I be able to turn to the WC as a victim of her abuse, or would I be turned away?
    By the way. Interesting title choice for "Men's Outreach". All its missing is the K at the end, and it'll be perfect.

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    1. This response is late, since I didn't see your comment until now, but yes you would be able to turn to the WC for support if you were in that situation. The Women's Center provides peer listening on a variety of topics, including relationship abuse, to all people. As a former employee I can assure you that any men who come in and disclose abuse are treated with the same respect and care as women with the same issue.

      As for your point about the Men's Outreach Coordinator position... I don't get it, but I can assure you that the MOC is an integral part of the WC. Over my four years there I watched three fantastic men do a lot of great work towards raising awareness about ending violence and making our campus a better place.

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