So I realize that Cancer, any kind of Cancer, is uncomfortable. It's a topic no one wants to discuss, no one wants to bring up. But the truth is, everyone knows at least someone with some type of Cancer. It's a topic that needs to be discused no matter how uncomfortable a topic it is.
I recently participated in a public speaking contest through my high school. I recited a piece from Gerilynn Lewis' autobiography "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy". The piece details her trip to a stripclub to contemplate the importance of boobs in today's modern boob-obsessed society, and the effect having a mastectomy would have on her feminism. It is a tale of great personal struggle, and great personal strength as she comes to realize that her boobs dont make her who she is.
My piece didn't even place. I took a look at the score sheets, trying to make some sense of why I wouldn't be going on to the next round. The Judges told me my topic was too controversial, and that it didn't uphold "contemporary community values." I'm sorry. I think I've misunderstood. In what way does Cancer not uphold community values? Is it cancer victims faults they have Cancer? I know our knowledge about cancer is far from complete, but our ignorance cannot be as much as to suspect this! I thought that in a high school competition, in America, for God's sake, I should be able to approach a topic that maybe is a little uncomfotable, but far from what I would consider controversial. Another event that just added fuel to my fire was that my friend did a piece on cutting, and she placed very high in her category. I don't want anyone mistaking this as a bitter rant from someone who lost a speech competition, that isn't what this is. But really, how can you honestly tell me her piece is "upholding contemporary community values" but mine isn't? I don't know what the bias is against breast cancer, but it really got me thinking that people are not as open-minded as I once believed them to be.
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It sucks, but its the truth......Although men get it too, breast cancer is seen as a female form of cancer. It is a problem for women. Cutting affects both men and women almost equally, so they (male judges) are more then willing to think and reflect on it. Not to mention it is all over the media right now and teachers are being trained to identify the students who do or would cut so they could be trying to place community values in that aspect.
But don't feel bad you didn't place because I guarantee they thought about it later.
I guess I could see why they would say that breast cancer is controversial. It's like you said, it's an uncomfortable topic. But cutting is way higher up on the uncomfortable scale than breast cancer!
Breast cancer isn't something you can help. Cutting is what some people use as a means to cope with stress and dilemmas in life.
I'm going to have to agree with you on this one.
Totally whack
Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.
Some people have issues discussing boobs/breasts/titties or whatever you want to call them. I say issue not problem because it is just another body part. Maybe they thought that it would be inappropriate for the boys in the room. I agree, cancer is a little bit more appropriate then cutting!