"There is difference and there is power. And who holds the power decides the meaning of the difference." --June Jordan

Sunday, August 19, 2007

"Hope for Hooters"

Not only is this offensive billboard on display all over my city, but the radio station it advertises is getting some press over its super clever and original way of promoting breast cancer awareness events.  (See the Columbus Other Paper's Do 'boob' Jokes Raise Cancer Awareness?)
 
The strategy they used, of course, was to encourage their mostly male audience to support breast cancer awareness in an effort to "save those boobs". 
 
The article mentions a lone woman who spoke out against the message they're sending:
 

"...she was appalled by a message she interpreted as, "We, the guys, need to save (breasts) for ourselves, meaning for our own pleasure, rather than we all of us need to address a serious health issue."

 

To her, Hannibal's comment was only a continuation of what she considers the Blitz's unenlightened attitude toward women-as demonstrated by its attention-getting billboards that show the torso of a busty woman in a tight, white shirt and urge onlookers to "pray for rain."

 

The DJ who met the most criticism for communicating this message had a totally convincing defense for why he presented breast cancer awareness in this way:

 

"Consider the mind of the 18- to 34-year-old male that listens to rock and roll."

 

It's the "we're just giving our [male] listeners what they want [while completely alienating and insulting our female listeners], and besides, only men listen to rock and roll, anyway" argument.  Makes perfect sense, gentlemen.  Sorry to interrupt your misogyny with my feminist nagging.  Allow me to shut up and sign up for your wet t-shirt contest.

 

(Fuck you, 99.7.)


2 comments:

IndustryOutsider said...

Right on! I love women, and I love boobies too. But that is the wrong approach. As a husband and father to two girls, I have a bit more respect (and good taste)than that.

I wear my pink ribbon with my mum's name proudly, every day of the year. It's in the form of a tattoo my wife got for me.

The Blitz can kiss my ass too.

Brian

mont blanc fyllepenn said...

I love women, and I love boobies too. But that is the wrong approach. As a husband and father to two girls, I have a bit more respect (and good taste)than that.