Cheerleaders Chastised for ‘Inappropriate’ Breast Cancer T-Shirts
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Cheerleaders at Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Ariz., can’t wear the pink t-shirts they bought to raise money for breast cancer research because the school’s administrators claim the slogan they bear is inappropriate.
According to a Thursday report in the Arizona Republic, the squad’s shirts say “Feel for lumps, save your bumps,” and the team planned to wear them during the school’s football games during their cheers on the field and while collecting money from the crowd.
Gaylee Skowronek, the cheer booster club president, told the Arizona Republic the administration approved the squad’s plan to raise money, but the school’s principal, J. Charles Santa Cruz, objected to the slogan on the shirts and banned the cheerleaders from wearing them.
“We thought the shirt was age-appropriate,” Skowronek said. “I think it’s hypocritical they would approve a fundraiser for breast-cancer research but they won’t approve a shirt to bring awareness to breast cancer.”
“All we want to do is support the cause and raise money for breast-cancer research,” said Ashlee, 16, a member of the squad.
This is not the first time breast cancer awareness campaigns have caused a stir for edgy messages. The Keep a Breast Foundation makes bracelets and t-shirts that say “I [heart] Boobies” and distributes them to young people with the goal of raising their breast cancer awareness. The bracelets have been banned by several school districts across the U.S., but in April, a federal judge in Pennsylvania upheld public school students’ rights to wear them.
Other breast cancer organizations are more cautious when it comes to supporting campaigns with these kinds of messages.
“While Komen for the Cure tends to stick with more mainstream language about breasts, we do understand that young people talk differently than adults,” said Andrea Rader, the director of marketing communications of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a network of breast cancer survivors and activists based in Dallas. “We generally support efforts to educate and engage young people, especially young women, about this disease.”
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I wanna see the shirts, but I am guessing NOT. My mom passed from breast cancer and any type of awareness and fundraising is just fine with me.
Posted by: JAMIE | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 7:40 pm
Just like the I LOVE BOOBIES bs….
Posted by: JAMIE | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 7:40 pm
This is a shame, these girls are trying to do good. We should be praising the fact that they are doing something positive instead of chastising them for not being politically correct.
Posted by: stephanie k | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 7:50 pm
I see nothing wrong with the slogan…kinda catchy really. Teens have to have something that will get the attention of the age group they are trying to reach and the women in their lives. I bet some adult approved the slogan before the shirts were made. If anything, they should have “chastised” those adults, not the kids. I hope they get to wear their shirts again and have a fabulous fundraiser!
Posted by: kathy | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 7:53 pm
I can’t believe this fiirst people were offended by the I ( heart) boobies bracelets, and now it’s the t-shirts.. Come on people, get a life… I don’t have breast cancer, but if I did, I would be happy knowing that there’s people out their who suport me and fight for me.. I say if they are old enough to take a sex ed class at that age, then they should be allowed to wear the t-shirts..
Posted by: Deb | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 8:03 pm
Send me one and I WILL wear it, and wear it with PRIDE..
Posted by: Deb | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 8:18 pm
NOW THAT THERE’S PUBLICITY ABOUT THE SHIRTS, THEY SHOULD SELL EM & MAKE EVEN MORE $$ THEN AT THE GAMES!!
LET ME KNOW THE PRICE, I’LL BUY AND WEAR WITH PRIDE!!
Posted by: Jenniferalise | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 8:54 pm
Sure, the “boobies” bracelets could have been seen as pushing it…but “Bumps”?! You HAVE to be joking. I hope those adults chastising them get so much backlash from the community they issue an apology.
Posted by: Saith | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 9:12 pm
Hey, saving breasts of any and all sizes is what this campaign is all about, so I don’t see what those shirts are “inappropriate.” Just an overly sensitive school administrators. Jackasses.
Posted by: nadine | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 9:40 pm
I’m saddened by this…this was in no way inappropriate. Their cheer uniforms are probably more inappropriate than the slogan they came up with for the shirts. Everybody’s so touchy these days.
Posted by: Alex V | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 9:43 pm
As a 50 y/o woman, I think that banning these young ladies from expressing themselves in a positive way for a good cause is just asinine. this slogan could not offend anyone that has gone through and survived breast cancer…I would wear it..maybe the administrator needs to get a clue and quit taking away their freedom of expression….at least they are raising money for a good reason.
Posted by: Beth | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 9:54 pm
Don’t let that principal anywhere near a breast cancer marathon or 3-day walk unless you’ve got a fainting couch handy. He’d be positively scandalized by all the “inappropriate” attire.
Posted by: Minorkey1 | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 9:54 pm
Mr. Santa Cruz is a jerk, I attended GHS back in the day and had several issues with him. One being told I needed to learn my place as a young woman; do as other girls and be seen not heard…My mom had several issues with him sexually discriminating or statements that could be seen as harassment towards my sister & I…So unfortunately this doesnt surprise me that Mr. Santa Cruz has gone back on what he originally agreed too…Surprised he hasn’t told the cheerleaders they are only there to make the crowd happy & be eye candy. Breast cancer awareness should be for all ages all sexes, cancer doesnt discriminate.
Posted by: M | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 10:45 pm
…wait…So cheerleaders can cavort around in barely-legal skirts at 16, dance provocatively (for the age group at least) for crowds of parents which is sure to include at least one oggling old man, barely repressing his memories of a sexually deprived high-school experience and might be trying to relive those years. They can listen to rap music on campus (seen it all too often myself) and encourage young boys to cause injury to one another occasionally in their cheers…
…but the word ‘bumps’ in reference to breasts, in a cute effort to raise breast cancer awareness…is across the ‘line’ of good taste? *epic facepalm*
Posted by: AnonK9 | October 13, 2011 October 13, 2011, 10:52 pm
So I guess “Save the TaTa’s” is out of the question…. Shame on Cruz!
Posted by: MadamE | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 12:11 am
I’m a little worried about where the principal’s mind goes when reading the message. Mine goes to directly to self checkup, a well known message woman’s health advocats have been pushing for years. What’s he thinking about and how often does he think about it?
Posted by: dan | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 5:47 am
I’m sure hundreds of thousands of women will happily die in the name of political correctness. Why wouldn’t they? It’s much more important than humanity. Isn’t it?
Hell. Let’s make that decision for them. You know I’m right. Don’t you?
Posted by: Loader | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 8:00 am
It could have been worse…”Grope your chest and save your breasts!” for starters. A little more humor really helps a lot. This comment is submitted by someone who no longer has either of her breasts due to breast cancer and the BRCA gene. I do not find the girls’ t-shirts offensive.
Posted by: Liz | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 8:46 am
The message on the shrit only promotes breast awareness, not breast CANCER awareness. And really, is there ANYONE who isn’t aware of breast cancer? “We’re promoting breast cancer awareness” they say. To whom? You’re preaching to the choir. Maybe they’re promoting breast self examination? But is that indicated for teen women? Only by their boyfriends!
Posted by: slug | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 9:17 am
Susan Komen gives millions to Planned Parenthood and funds abortions. If you want to support breast cancer research, send your money to someone else who will put it ALL toward cancer research and not abortions.
Posted by: TONY | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 9:56 am
The emphasis should be on saving women’s LIVES not a sexualized body part. The message is deliberately degrading: save those parts men like to ogle and fondle. That’s your main value on this earth. As I read recently a man who lost his spouse to breast cancer emphasize that he “lost his wife not her ‘ta-ta’s”
Posted by: Becca | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 9:59 am
Wearing I (heart) Boobies bracelets has been debated in federal court. Schools cannot ban students from wearing the bracelets. It seems that Gilbert High School is also in violation of this free speech ruling.
Posted by: Jen Mueting | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 10:08 am
Women’s breasts are displayed everywhere in media as eye candy for men but when girls and women need to deal with their own breasts in real life censorship goes crazy – like in this case and when women want to breast feed their babies in public. This shows what an incredibly sexist world we live in – only men’s desires count – women’s; health and well-being are pushed aside. It’s sick.
Posted by: yacius | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 10:09 am
Becca-Thank you. You are the ONLY voice of reason on this board. We have to quit aiming for the lowest common denominator in society. Courage to all the cancer fighters out there.
Posted by: sassandahalf | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 10:19 am
There’s nothing vulgar or obscene about the T-shirt slogan. We all need to lighten up!!!
Posted by: Betsy Garcia | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 11:10 am
The t-shirts are age-inappropriate? Does breast cancer respect what age of females it attacks? J. Charles Santa Cruz might well want to consider banning himself from his chosen profession.
Posted by: Ed Phelps | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 11:26 am
Am I correct in assuming along with selling the shirts, the cheerleaders may wear these shirts in public along with other students. One step further, they could challenge the issue by simply wearing them to school and see what happens. What do you think?
Posted by: Joan Lazell | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 12:03 pm
The first knee-jerk reaction of most of us is that the shirts shouldn’t be banned. But please note that the slogans are intentionally risque. Try to teach a high school class or control a high school sports crowd full of teenage hormones where distracting messages about breasts are present. THEN you can pretend you’re the expert and tell us educators what is appropriate in classrooms.
Posted by: The_Mick | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 12:11 pm
This is nothing different from the (not talked about here) Save the TaTas campaign as well. It comes down to Americans being prudes when it comes to matters dealing with sexually-themed body parts. It’s not like these teenagers are prancing around in skimpy underwear. They’re wearing t-shirts with words on them.
Posted by: Tim | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 12:17 pm
Forget the saying … the Boosters paid $500 for shirts? They got ripped off!!!
Posted by: Gregg | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 12:21 pm
Iam just startin the fight with breast cancer. MR. Santa Cruz just needs to wake up and smell a casket! Iam 29 and just got dx with breast cancer 11 days ago. I love the fact that the girls r tryin to promote awareness of Breast Cancer. My baby sister was only 15 when she died from Breast Cancer. The principal just needs to wake up! So if a female student from GHS found out that she has Breast cancer will he kick her out of school for havin cancer???
Posted by: rachel | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 1:46 pm
Dr. Santa Cruz can be contacted. Please let him know how you feel about this!
Posted by: B | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 1:54 pm
As a breast cancer survivor, I can tell you these offensive slogans are detrimental to breast cancer awareness.
There is nothing cute or funny about breast cancer. I lost my breasts due to tumors. The tumors were not lumps. My breasts were not bumps.
Posted by: Liza | October 14, 2011 October 14, 2011, 5:28 pm
Health is always a great concern for most people.
Posted by: Luther Livesey | October 19, 2011 October 19, 2011, 3:37 am
I am 50 years old and was diagnosed in March with breast cancer. I think it is a reminder that everyone needs to check. Men get it too! I do not find this offensive, but I do think it offensive that the principal would ban this. I heard a teacher call into a local station in MN state that 13 year old boys may laugh or think it is funny. I beg to differ! I did not hide my diagnosis and my daughters 4th, now 5th grade class knows exactly what is going on. If nothing else it will make them aware of it. Besides it is 1 in 3 women now; they probably know someone with it. And woman should not be offended; humor can be the best medicine. It got me through all my stuff and I felt 100%! Doc said attitude is all. I’LL BUY ONE IN A MINUTE! Go girls!!!!
Posted by: Heidi | October 19, 2011 October 19, 2011, 5:59 pm
Has someone who chose to have a mastectomy because of breast cancer on one. I was lucky and it was early.
Sign me up for a T-shirt. BC doesn’t discriminate on age or gender and I don’t believe it will cause their boyfriends to grope. So we add a little humor to something terrible. If it weren’t for my sense of humor after the initial diagnosis or my attitude as my oncologist says maybe I wouldn’t have felt 100% through chemo and felt great 2 weeks after the mastectomy.
Posted by: Hilde | October 19, 2011 October 19, 2011, 6:07 pm
What a stuff of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious experience regarding unexpected feelings.
Posted by: Tony Pach | December 29, 2011 December 29, 2011, 4:03 pm