A sign of hope for most, inappropriate to others

By Rachael Renz Copy Editor

Breast cancer awareness month is during October. Oddly enough, breast cancer paraphernalia was banned from a high school in Othello, Wash. during this month.

Brothers Alex Castro, 16, and Buck Castro, 14, sported the common “I Love Boobies!” bracelet on a daily basis until their school banned them.

The principal of the brothers’ high school told the boys that the bracelets were “too provocative” and “offensive” to students and teachers. Therefore, they were banned.

Miles away at Baltic High School in Sioux Falls, S.D. the “I Love Boobies!” bracelets were banned as well, for “poor taste.”

A young girl who goes to Baltic High felt this was unfair since her grandmother and five of her grandmother’s sisters battled breast cancer.

These “controversial” bracelets are a product of the “I Love Boobies Campaign” organized by the “Keep A Breast Foundation.” All of the proceeds are donated to the fight against breast cancer.

The organization’s mission is to “help eradicate breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of prevention, early detection and support.” The purpose of the bracelets is to spread awareness of breast cancer among young boys and girls. The choice of wording was chosen because it is something that the younger population can relate to.

“That's the whole idea, it's getting people to talk about breast cancer, it's getting people to share their feelings about how this disease has impacted their life,” founder Shaney Jo Darden said. “The bracelet is doing what it's meant to do — it's making people talk.”

Unfortunately, South Dakota and Washington aren’t the only states forbidding them. Schools in California, Colorado, Idaho, Florida and Wisconsin are