Breast cancer fund raising bracelets that proclaim “I (heart) boobies!” are not lewd or vulgar and can’t be banned by public school officials who find them offensive, a federal judge in Pennsylvania said Tuesday in a preliminary ruling.
The ruling is a victory for two Easton girls suspended for defying a ban on their middle school’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
“The bracelets ... can reasonably be viewed as speech designed to raise awareness of breast cancer and to reduce stigma associated with openly discussing breast health,” U.S. Judge Mary McLaughlin wrote in a 40-page ruling issued Tuesday. She added that the school district had not shown the bracelets would be disruptive in school.
District solicitor John Freund said he was “very disappointed” with the ruling. He said no decision has been made on an appeal.
“We find it very difficult to believe that the judge could not find that there was a sexual double-entendre in the message,” Freund said. “If the ruling stands, certainly the educator’s job is going to be that much more difficult in deciding these issues with the court second-guessing them.”
Easton is one of several school districts around the country to ban the bracelets, which are distributed by the Keep A Breast Foundation of Carlsbad, Calif. The nonprofit has said it sells the bracelets to engage young people in breast cancer awareness.
What do you think? Do you agree with the federal court judge?
I think that this is silly. They are just bracelets, yeah they may say boobies on them but eff it boobies isn't a bad word. All girls have boobs people need to get used to that. And i don't agree with what they said. If people want to wear them then let them, everyone knows that its for breast cancer. I say keep the BOOBIES!
ReplyDeleteI think the school has the right to decide what should be worn and what shouldn't be worn. People should also be able to reach an agreement before bringing the issue to court. It is supporting Breast Cancer, but there are other ways to fund money for breast cancer.
ReplyDeleteI think that these bracelets are a great way to spread awareness of breast cancer. It is a creative way to make money and raise awareness, why should it be wrong? Teens often wear worse slogans, not for a good cause. I don't think these bracelets are vulgar or wrong in any way. Every woman has boobs, and some get breast cancer. If the funds go for a good cause, this should be promoted, not banned. I agree with the federal judge, they should not be banned. These bracelets can do much more good than bad!
ReplyDeleteI think this is just ridiculous. This money is going to a good cause. All they're doing is trying to get the youth to help out with this cause and be aware of breast cancer. How is it offensive to anyone? It's not like it's a bad word or even discriminating against anyone. I think it's ridiculous that these schools ban these braclets. The judge said you can't so why are they doing it. It's not bad!
ReplyDeleteI don't think that this should go to court. The school has the ability to have a dress code and really it's 8 hours out of a day that you can't wear a bracelet.
ReplyDeleteI think that students should be able to wear the bracelets. I really do not see how it comes off as offensive to anyone. It's for a good cause and it is getting the attention of a younger generation. I find it ridiculous that this issue was brought to court. Some students wear much worse logos/phrases and so on but these don't always get brought to court. Seriously, it's for a good cause and it's getting more people interested in the cause. Just let them wear the bracelets.
ReplyDeleteI say let them keep the bracelets. If the adults aren't mature enough to see that word and thing oh no that is a bad word and kids shouldn't wear that, then that is their own problem. It is for breast cancer and for a good cause, there is no harm in that. There are text books in school teaching about the human body and sexual education so it shouldn't be a problem.
ReplyDeletei beleive these kids should be able to wear these boobie bracelets. boobies are not a bad thing, and it is also for breast cancer awareness. so i say keep the boobie bracelets
ReplyDeleteTo mean it seems like there could be better ways to find money for breast cancer awarness and research.
ReplyDeleteI cant see nothing wrong with these bracelets. There raising money for breast cancer awareness and if the slogan gets kids to buy them, then all the more power to them
ReplyDeleteI say the bracelets should be fine, they are raising money for a good cause. This shouldn't have went to court it is a silly court case to have. People should have been able to have reached a decision without the help of the court.
ReplyDeleteThese bracelets can be offensive to people. They are a "gross" way of trying to raise money.
ReplyDeleteI think the bracelets are a great way to get younger kids finally aware of breast cancer. Breast cancer is a very serious thing and the more money we can raise to help the better i think! I mean just because the bracelet says "boobies" whats the big deal?? every girl has a pair. It's just a word on a piece of rubber i don't think it is hurting anyone. At least it is raising money for a good cause, it doesn't have to be worn for people to think that all they care about is the word boobs. its not like that!. If the schools want to ban them, i guess technically they can, but why if it is for a good cause.?
ReplyDeleteI know kids that wear these braclets and i think they are great ideas! granite they say bobbies, but everyone is goin to know ewhat they are eventually, and at least they support a good cause.
ReplyDeleteThese bracelets are fine to be worn. Grow up and get over the word boobies. How is it any different than saying breast? This is dumb! And I think that it's for a good cause so stop making a big deal about it. And how is it offensive to anyone? Every girl has boobs and that's just how life is. So roll with it. And I don't think that it's a gross way of raisin money because how is it any different than saying breast? It's not so just deal with it. This should not have gone to court because it's the dumbest thing ever. The bracelets are raising awareness and I bet it's been a huge profit for the breast cancer foundation because they are popular and a lot of younger kids want them.
ReplyDeleteIve never seen a braclet hurt anyone but you never know.. id take the chance! its not a big deal just a braclet the school should decide if they should be worn although its for a good cause anyway even if the school disaproved they should still be able to be worn!
ReplyDeletei don't think that these bracelets that say boobies on them boobies ain't a bad word it is supporting breast cancer so these schools that find these boobies bracelets offensive just grow up and get over it.
ReplyDeletei <3 BOOBIES breast cancer awareness
ReplyDeleteIm glad the judge ruled the braclets ok. There just braclets, if people dont like them they can deal with it. Its not a big deal. They are a good way to raise money. Its a very good idea.
ReplyDeleteI think these things are a good idea because they raise awareness for people our age by relating to us in a way that will actually get our attention.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is pretty stupid. Its a bracelet! Plus its for a good cause so just let it go
ReplyDelete