Is it me or is this offensive?

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited January 2011

    you wouldn't look for a Ta Ta surgeon..

    ick

  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Member Posts: 2,721
    edited January 2011

    I find the whole pink thing offensive and the 'Save the Ta-Ta's' is a white letters on black background.  The notion behind the effort is raising money and quite honestly, at stage iv - I will take any money that comes down the pike for research and the kinder treatments and those that will prolong my life.  We have been debased for eons as 'street walkers' and 'boobie bouncers' - I don't believe it makes a joke of the disease - rather the opposite - they need their 'boobie fix' so while the keeping the body part is the interest - preventing the disease and saving lives is the end result.  I find the 'Save the Ta-Ta's' to be less offensive than the 'Pink' as the pink IS so much a marketing tool these days and the 'I Never Gave Up' really is offensive - I didn't give up, ever and now at stage iv - it seems to imply that I didn't do enough to prevent it from coming back - THAT sends me up on my soapbox like nothing else. 

    The other thing with save the ta-ta's - it is less offensive than most things our body parts are called but there is a big appeal for the men - more men donate to save the ta-ta's than you can believe - for their wives, their girlfriends, for the barmaids, for all the 'boobie bouncers' hangouts, and the like - cash money - if you have even seen the Ta-Ta jug in the boobie bar - it is just about always full (collected daily for the donations to specific research - I think they have that posted on their web site) - hey, its a boobie bar and we have already been reduced to 'that' - the guys just want to keep seeing boobs and I will gladly take advantage of their money.  And they will wear the black t-shirts - although, a REAL man would be willing to wear PINK...especially if meant saving the life of his wife, daughter and/or girlfriend or a co-worker, a friend - a mom, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a grandmom - or someone else's all of the above.

    Just my opinion....LowRider

  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited January 2011

    ... and if LowRider says it, I believe it!  (Good to see you back, after what I heard was a harrowing holiday.)

    otter

  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited January 2011

    I just wonder - would anyone try to raise money for AIDS research by belittling homosexuality?

    Leah

  • Lowrider54
    Lowrider54 Member Posts: 2,721
    edited January 2011

    Although, it would be rather a put off to see it in the oncologists or surgeons office...

    Then again - I like the visual - a bunch of men (with balls) out on a golf course hitting and chasing balls paying big bucks entry fees to save our lives (ta-ta)..hummm  

    Leah...I see your point but think back at some of the first of the AIDS walks - the guys were in drag... 

  • Barbcard2
    Barbcard2 Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2011

    I'm delighted to find this depression forum so funny.  Humor certainly helps!

  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited January 2011

    "If we were, in fact, bovine, I assure you that no one would tolerate cow udder disease jokes;  cows have too much value."

    Mad cow much?

    "To those women who think that this is a matter of being "politically correct" or not, I suggest you read the history of women in culture and society." 

    To which women and cultures are you referring?  Or are you a femi-Nazi who believes ALL women everywhere and of all times have been exploited and abused by those big bad ol' men?  We're all just so damn helpless after all.

    "That you are not outraged by those reducing disease and our bodies to a joke, is beyond comprehension."

    That you believe every woman should have your specific sense of humor (or lack of) is actually quite comical, but your incomprehension explains a lot.

    In the mean time, I'll save my "outrage" for things that matter to me.  That and this...ain't it.

    This website has lots of awesome FUNNY t-shirts for those so inclined...

    http://www.cafepress.com

    TCH x6 starting 12/7/2010. Diagnosis: 9/14/2010, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 2, 4/4 nodes, ER+/PR+ >95%, HER2+++

  • bibliowarrior
    bibliowarrior Member Posts: 200
    edited January 2011

    I agree with Leah... that is my biggest gripe with the "Save the ta ta's" slogans... to me, it somehow implies that saving the breasts is the real goal. Like life would be horrible if we couldn't find a way to save the breasts. Big picture people-- lives are being lost. I'm a bilateral mastectomy survivor... I couldn't care less about my lost breasts and I am offended if people think that THAT is what I feel was the worst thing about the whole experience.

    (Love Bessie's suggestions!)

  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited January 2011

    I too lost my breast to BC...In many ways I don't care what people call them.....just get the money to find a cure and a prevention....I dream of the day that no one has the hear the horrible words....you have breast cancer.....when I think of save the ta-tas, save scond base, save the boobies or whatever....I don't see it as just saving the sexual breasts...I see it as saving women....but if people find a slogan offensive, its not for me to tell them they are wrong...we all have our opinions....as I've said on another thread, lets all be respectful of each others views....some of us think alike, others don't but we are all in this together...to eradicate the beast and that we all live to be cranky old ladies (not crankie middle age ladies!!!)...we all want to grow old together.  Hugs, Karen

  • annettek
    annettek Member Posts: 1,640
    edited January 2011

    Karen, I like how you think! Here's to being a cranky OLD lady with LOTS of peers!

  • kelben
    kelben Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2011

    I agree that everyone has their own opinion and no one is right or wrong.  To the woman with the autistic son...would you smile at a poster.. Bowling for retards.. I sure wouldn't and I don't care how much money it made  it would be very offensive.  

  • altered_reality
    altered_reality Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2011

    Beesie,

    Thanks for allowing me to have a good, much needed, laughFoot in mouth

  • feh
    feh Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2011

    TonLee - -Please give me proper credit if you are going to quote me.  But thanks for reprinting my words.  "Save second base?"  Yeah.  I'd really hate it if there was nothing to "feel up."  How about "Save the boobs for the boobs?"  Or, "If you overrun second base... remember there's always 3rd."  Sick.  Stupid.  Not funny on any level.

  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited January 2011

    bumping to refresh

  • CrazyKitties
    CrazyKitties Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2011

    It's demeaning; calling breasts "ta-ta's" is  a way of making them less scary, less emotionally charged for us---it's not a "get-you-drunk-martini", it's a "Cosmopolitan." It's not breast cancer, it's ta-ta cancer.

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited February 2011

    I'm not offended by "ta tas" or "boobies" or pretty much any other slang for body parts.  I don't think "bowling for balls" would be offensive, either.  I guess I realize that the end goal is to save lives, not breasts or testicles.  And, if we can get more people to contribute by making it lighthearted, then I'm okay with it.  Should it be lighthearted when so many women are dying?  In a perfect world, no, but in a perfect world, cancer would already have a cure. 

  • amontro
    amontro Member Posts: 504
    edited February 2011

    AnnNYC -

     I  must have missed this before my last post.  You indicated: "Gee how sad.  Let's portray our cause as preserving breathtaking scenic views."  That's exactly how I feel breasts are portrayed. Not many people (men) care that they're for feeding babies, or that the human form is a beautiful work of art.  It's all lip service.  Breasts are something for men to look at and admire. If you don't have them (or one), you're roadkill.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2011

    I guess that makes me roadkill. I don't have two.

  • zz2c
    zz2c Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2011

    I agree, i think that is highly offensive. I know we all want to encourage raising funds for this S$"£££t disease, but that is not necessary.  I think the very least we can expect is some respect. 

  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited February 2011

    Forgive me for joining in so late, but I just saw this on the active list.

    I Bought a magnetic sticker which said Save the Ta Ta's. I haven't put it on my car cause I expected it to be stolen and I donated good money for it.  So on the fridge it stays.

      I didn't put a pink ribbon on my car till I was 6 years out from diagnosis because I detest the abuse of the pink ribbon by corporations and others--and bc is NOT pink and pretty and fuzzy.  I sorta hoped someone would steal it, like they did when they first came out. 

    However, I found save the ta ta''s very funny.   To me it was not pink and fuzzy, it was earthy and real.  I also liked Save Second Base, and would never expect to see a guy wearing that BTW.  I expect I imagine seeing women wearing those types of things.  Strong, in your face!,  type women.  Nothing pink and fuzzy about us!

      I'm not sure how I would have felt seeing that OP's sign in my onc's office, not when I was fairly newly diagnosed and still very raw and vunerable (and I was for a couple of years after dx).  I was pretty angry about all things bc at that time. 

    So, from an oldbie, no great insight or philosophical words of wisdom.  Just an opinion.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2011

    Dotti, I LIKE "saving second base", it IS a chick thing. It's cute and not rude. BUT, having said that, I think it's up to those of us who don't have ta tas anymore to keep it clean and dignified. Yah, right!

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2011

    Bodacious ta ta's was a famous Tom Cruise line from An Officer and A Gentleman. It was okay as a one-shot wonder 30 years old. But I didn't have a double mastectomy on my ta tas. Sorry gals...I lost my breasts. It's like calling a penis a winkie or dinkie. Very diminutive. Like people who always add 'ie' to someone's name; Barbie, Robbie, Eddie, Kimmie, etc. It's a passive aggressive put-down. My name is Barbara. I can handle Barb(e). Call me Barbie and I'll walk away.

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited February 2011

    My mother adds a "y" or "ie" to people's names or some other diminutive such as "little".  She isn't trying to put them down.  She is very insecure, so I think it makes her feel safer, perhaps.  It drives me crazy, actually, but I know she isn't doing it to be mean.  I hope you don't automatically assume that anyone who calls you Barbie is doing it to put you down.  I've had many people call my Cindy, which literally makes me shudder inside, but I just explain that my name is Cynthia and just assume they know a Cindy or two.  lol 

  • gutsy
    gutsy Member Posts: 391
    edited February 2011

    Ok, I like Bowling for Balls.

  • squidlife4me
    squidlife4me Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2011

     I have not been diagnosed with breast cancer..I am awaiting my biopsy..

      I participated in the Susan G Komen 3 day for the cure here in San Diego last year.  My motto was

      "A Boobie is a Boobie, no matter how small"..

       This post has brought a new perspective for me.  I don't find offense in the term boob, boobies, or ta-ta's. 

       I never thought a motto or saying like that could be offensive to someone going through breast cancer.  I just thought it was catchy and something someone would remember.

       Thank you for your insight and perspective (all of you).

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited February 2011

    Personally I am ok with it. Before I had BC, I didn't want to think about it. It was a scary haze of pink ribbons. Something with a little edge makes it less intimidating to me.

    I know others feel differently, and I can respect that.

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited February 2011

    I think, seeing as this is now page 4, that the point was it was a poster in an oncologist's office. That's the rub. Can you imagine just being told you have to have a double mast and when checking out you notice a poster gaily saying "save the ta ta's". I'd be insulted to even see anything flip about cancer. Maybe that's why it bugs me. It's flip.

  • jteach
    jteach Member Posts: 199
    edited February 2011

    I just found this discussion and I agree with barbe and so many others.  I'd like to find the most extreme sensitivity in my doctors' offices.  

    I remember crying all the way home after a visit to my breast surgeon's office.  I had endured 2 unsuccessful lumpectomiies,a mastectomy,chemo,rads,herceptin,etc.  While waiting for the results of my first one breasted mamogram,  displayed proudly across the wall was a huge poster explaining the importance of making your final wishes known.  Really????

    I just think there should be some places that are as safe as a church. Oh, well... 

  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 4,562
    edited February 2011

    The sign should not be [posted in an onocology office, waiting room or hospital.Period. I find it very offensive.

  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited February 2011

    I have really enjoyed reading everyone's posts.  Many of the comments have been VERY funny.  Some of my peeves listed below

    1) Having a mammogram somehow prevents breast cancer

    2) Having a mammogram and finding the cancer will prevent me from dying

    3) My attitude cheerful, brave or otherwise will prevent me from dying from this disease

    4) tatas, pink, second base doesn't even begin to describe this past year of surgery, chemo and now rads.  I do think it makes breast cancer less scary for those unaffected and may be an effective fund raising strategy. 

    with lung cancer, I remember posters showing the ugly reality of cancer often caused by smoking. For those of us with advanced breast cancer, are we to blame for having breasts?  Everyone is afraid of their own mortality.  It makes others more comfortable to think they have control over the uncontrollable.  I think that is why the silly, "humorous" terms are used.

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