I Write Letters

Dear Breast Cancer Research Foundation:

I can't even tell you how much I appreciate what you do. I mean, I really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really appreciate it.

But I also really wish you could stop objectifying women's bodies in the process of endeavoring to save them.


The thing about this ad is that it suggests the primary reason to cure breast cancer is not because it kills women, but because it steals their beauty by stealing their breasts. Or maybe it's meant to communicate that women who have lost their breasts to cancer can still be beautiful—as long as they don't deviate in any other way from the Beauty Standard. Or maybe you just figured women don't mind a little skin if it's tasteful, and something sorta sexy would make straight men open their wallets for breast cancer research hubba hubba. I don't really know.

But aren't any of those justifications just the wee tiniest bit, uh, fucked up?

Couldn't we maybe just raise money for cancer research without the gauzy, suggestive imagery that looks like an advert for a porn flick that totally swears it's "made for women" with a plot and everything? 'Cuz, aside from the objectification thing, there's this whole other level of grodiness about the ad in its icky determination to beautify women with cancer. I've known women with cancer, and, in its heinous throes, they tend to look a lot less like they're about to blow the pizza delivery boy than blow chunks from the ravages of chemo.

All I'm asking for is a little honesty. This isn't Ali McGraw Wasting Disease we're talking about here. Cancer can be pretty ugly. I almost can't imagine something more woman-hating than refusing to give women a furlough from the expectations of being Lovely and Sexy At All Times even when they're fighting cancer.

Just sayin'.

Love,
Liss

P.S. H/T to Shaker Niemaodpowiedzi.