Facebook status update to raise breast cancer awareness creates a stir

Ricky knows Susie’s bra color. No, they aren’t dating.  No, he is not a “peeping Tom.”  No, she isn’t his older sister. Ricky simply found out Susie’s as well as Jean’s, his mother’s, Mrs. Smith’s and Grandma Jones’ bra color by going on Facebook.  Facebook?! Well, if you weren’t living under a rock the past weekend (1/9/2010-1/10/2010) you might have noticed many female friends’ one word status updates: black, blue, nude, or more cryptically, none. LOL.

Some guys were not laughing, or should I say, not “LOL-ing”.

“I find it very, very disturbing to see my sister’s status updated Red while her boyfriend clicked ‘like’,” said one male upperclassman.

Other males found this update confusing and took a while to catch on.

“We didn’t really understand,” said a group of freshmen, as their innocent halos fluttered, and they skipped off smiling and laughing.

The message behind all this commotion was quite simple and noble: breast cancer awareness. By being mysterious and secretive, girls were doing what they did best: confusing the hell out of guys.  In the process, they were subtly yet powerfully spreading a message against breast cancer. Part of the participants’ reasoning was that traditional methods of activism and publicity are overused.  This is a fast, easy, powerful way to spread the word and show the world their movements’ strength.

“I don’t see the harm in it.  It is for a good cause and we’re spreading awareness through Facebook and Twitter, programs many people our age use,” said local Relay for Life advocate .

The message was spread through text messaging, Facebook messages, and good old-fashioned chain emails.

Was this “activist” action appropriate? Although it was for a noble cause, the boys writing color as their status clearly were not taking its message seriously.  At least, I hope not.

In any case, advertising companies: take note now.  Although this publicity stunt ruffled a few conservative feathers, there is no doubt that it was highly effective.

Of course, when your eleven year old sister writes “pink polka dot” you might feel creeped out. Just a little. TMI.