What the fuck.

blogged, because it was on DCist. Also picked up by I Blame the Patriarchy and Feminist Law Profs.

Pardon me, but this is sick. "Gee I know! Let's raise awareness of breast cancer research by putting a violent message on a headless female torso! Cause you know, boobies get people's attention!"

How about a female boxer? Martial arts practicioner? Even a booted foot?? Ugh!

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Comments

deepsignal says:

It just make me think of violence against women.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

birdcage says:

on the bus shelter by the blockbuster, yeah? I saw this the other day walking home from the gym and thought, erg... hmmm? what? ermmm... huh.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

IntangibleArts says:

the campaign looks like a freebie from some nasty ad agency with some definite hostility issues... how confused & unfortunate...
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

techne says:

I can't believe they haven't gotten complaints...in all my free time today (*snicker*) I think I'll get on it.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

techne says:

OK, I sent them this. Feel free to do the same.

I am a DC resident and have noticed your current ad campaign with the text "when we get our hands on breast cancer, we're going to....pummel it until it's good and dead." (I have taken a cameraphone shot of the ad which you can see here: www.flickr.com/photos/techne/367554526)

I strongly object to this ad. To put this extremely violent message on a young woman's headless torso sends an implicit message condoning violence towards women. I very much doubt that you intended to use the imagery of one killer of women in your fight against another killer of women. Please discontinue this ad campaign and offer an apology to the community.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

alex.DC says:

Yeah, a female boxer hitting a punching bag with exactly the same wording would've been just as attention-getting without the disturbing undertones.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

cinemafia says:

Whatever firm came up with this ad is sooo fired.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

IntangibleArts says:

Can't help but notice, the thing is everywhere now. East columbia heights, Logan, etc...
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

sol_y_luna03 says:

Thanks for posting this. I found it through I Blame the Patriarchy, and I sent Komen a message as well.

-L
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

JacLou says:

this doesn't surprise me... it is really no different from the "tatas" brand.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Marc|Sarah says:

Hey I found this campaign on the far north side of Chicago too. This is really the worst I've seen out of Komen yet. Thanks for posting this.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

techne says:

everyday life, AAIGH!! what the hell is wrong with these people? What sort of work is going on to try and get them to stop?
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Xao_T says:

I agree with alex.DC---the choice of imagery is essential to getting the message across, and a powerful woman would have been the appropriate choice. The headless woman reminds me more of louche fashion spreads (that have been rehashed anually since the mid-80s) than any awareness campaign.

If a testicular or prostate cancer awareness poster used the male body the way this poster uses the female body, would that be ok? If it generated awareness, would it be ok?

What was S.G. Komen thinking to put their seal of approval on this?
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

techne says:

On my blog I've linked to some other posts that've discussed this image, and in one a commenter has some SK blurb about how they are trying to get the involvement of younger women. They also have other ads in the same lines, like the one in Chicago linked ot above, which is of just boobs and the text "We only focus on one thing. well, two things." Apparently among feminist blogs Komen is well-known and not well-liked for their particular brand of advocacy and commercialization. Check out I Blame the Patriarchy, who links to an article by Barbara Ehrenreich on the marketing of breast cancer that is really insightful. (Click around ot find it, it's not a regular post.)

I have had a lot of ideas for alternate ads, also. There's a lot to be done with a female boxer. And I like the "Let's kick testicular cancer in the nuts!" concept. In fact....would any men like to model for such a photo? I wouldn't kick you in the nuts, you can just pretend like I did. :)
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

jenbeth80 says:

i disagree. i like the copy, quite a lot. the visual design may not have been carried out well, but the new direction has humor and energy, which is a nice change.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

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What the fuck.

Comments

deepsignal says:

birdcage says:

IntangibleArts says:

techne says:

techne says:

alex.DC says:

cinemafia says:

IntangibleArts says:

sol_y_luna03 says:

JacLou says:

Marc|Sarah says:

techne says:

Xao_T says:

techne says:

jenbeth80 says:

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