Are ‘Save Second Base’ breast cancer awareness t-shirts sexist and offensive?
Jun 7, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT
It’s a Twitter battle over second base, and opponents of the t-shirt pictured here are coming in cleats-high. The charge is that Adam Turman’s ‘Save Second Base’ campaign for breast cancer awareness is crass and demeaning to women. That’s what several women have said on Twitter, anyway. Turman has been producing the shirts for more than a year, and selling then for $25 on his web site. All of the proceeds, he says, goes to Making Strides, an organization endorsed by the American Cancer Association.
But, referring to women’s breasts as “second base”? Right here in River City? Terrible! With a capital T and that rhymes with B and that stands for boobs (♫ that stands for boobs! ♫). From City Pages:
Kate-Madonna Hindes, who is currently suffering from cancer herself, saw the image on Turman’s site this week and took to Twitter to voice her displeasure.
Hindes has lost one friend to breast cancer and three to cervical cancer and is currently battling cervical cancer herself.
“It’s very much aimed at men,” she says of the t-shirt’s cheeky slogan. “Girls don’t worry about getting to second base. Men worry about getting to second base. Women worry about taking care of their bodies.
Others are wondering what all the fuss is about:
Turman donated his artwork and his time in order to donate money to the cause and didn’t realize it would make him the center of controversy.
“This woman, who’s saying rude stuff, I mean, I get it, I can totally see her point of view,” Turman explains to City Pages. “But the thing is, it is creating awareness.
“It’s just a different perspective: let’s try to find some light-heartedness in something that’s really bad and not fun.”
If this t-shirt is getting results in the fight against breast cancer, I don’t see the problem. But then I’ve never been known for my taste.
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Adam Turman’s “Save Second Base” t-shirts: Sexist slogan or harmless fun? [City Pages]
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- sasquash20 - Jun 7, 2011 at 12:56 PM
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It will reach more men, which will equal more money for research. Feminist get a grip
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- Phillies Homer - Jun 7, 2011 at 1:26 PM
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I though most feminists were lesbians?? You think they’d want to Save Second Base…
But, people saying this is offensive are just arguing to argue. Deep down I’m sure they know this is just a fun way to spread awareness.
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- cleanslaton - Jun 7, 2011 at 1:42 PM
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I’m sure this woman doesn’t want the proceeds to go to breast cancer research if they are raised with this humorous shirt….idiot.
If I had a disease with an unknown cure, I wouldn’t give a flying F*** how they got the money to do the research to find a cure for it.
Some sick [a**hole] people don’t deserve a cure; think about that one, people.
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- fearlessleader - Jun 8, 2011 at 11:14 AM
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If it’s all right with you guys, we’d prefer that you show more interest in saving our LIVES and less interest in saving your own sexual gratification.
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- Phillies Homer - Jun 8, 2011 at 11:58 AM
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This T-Shirt is all about saving your LIVES… as it’s a great way to spread awareness b/c of the creative slogan.
I guarantee you there isn’t a guy, or girl, out there that purchased this shirt that’s thinking… Yea, I want this disease to be cured b/c I like feeling boobies…
It’s a sad world when someone with the intent of donating money to a great cause, because he came up with a clever T-Shirt, gets criticized like this. Very sad world.
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- fearlessleader - Jun 8, 2011 at 12:07 PM
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Save your moralizing—I don’t accept lectures from Phillies fans, anyway.
If you really think these shirts are going to “save lives,” you are terribly naive, and if you’re genuinely concerned about the fight against breast cancer, resist the urge to plaster a buxom babe on your chest and send your $25 directly to a reputable research organization. Thanks!
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- Phillies Homer - Jun 8, 2011 at 12:41 PM
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How many Breast Cancer T-Shirts have you ever seen being worn by a guy?? My guess, not too many.
How many funny T-Shirts (whether you think so or not, my guess is you don’t have a very good sense of humor) have you seen being worn by a guy? My guess is, you see this daily.
Men buy funny T-Shirts. It’s in our nature. This T-Shirt is tapping into that market AND for a good cause. (How many decisions are made b/c you come to the conlusion, “eh… it’s for a good cause, so why not?”
Let’s talk about Math:
I give $25 to “Making Strides” – They get a total of $25.I purchase this T-Shirt for $25. For arguments sake, let’s say “proceeds” are $10. So, $10 goes to Making Strides from me. But, because I’m wearing this creative shirt. A few other people see it, think it is also clever… and purchase it. It will only take 2 other people to buy it, b/c they saw me wearing it, for me to eclipse the simple donation of $25. And then factor in that other people will see the other people wearing it and make a purchase. Kinda like a pyrmaid scheme. Get it?
The point of the matter is, if money is going to a good cause… why would anyone care about how that money is raised?
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- fearlessleader - Jun 8, 2011 at 1:00 PM
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Pssst….”the end justifies the means” is not generally accepted as unassailable logic.
I’ve got to get my humorless breasts showered and dressed, but since you seem interested in this subject, go read Barbara Ehrenreich’s “Welcome to Cancerland”; it’s easily Googleable, and it’s a whirlwind education in the realities of the breast-cancer industry and how it hurts women.
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- fearlessleader - Jun 8, 2011 at 11:25 AM
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P.S. Dumb slogan. If you “steal second base,” you GET to second base.
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- viiviiivi - Jun 9, 2011 at 12:59 PM
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and that’s why you don’t want breast cancer to steal second base….
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- fearlessleader - Jun 10, 2011 at 2:06 AM
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Yeah, it’s still a stretch. Second base doesn’t disappear if someone steals it.
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- viiviiivi - Jun 16, 2011 at 12:22 PM
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breasts don’t disappear once breast cancer gets to them…you just don’t want breast cancer to get there….
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- goforthanddie - Jun 12, 2011 at 3:14 PM
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Jesus, some of you people need to loosen your bungholes. As long as any proceeds are going to the stated charity, it’s a brilliant attempt to grab some cash from a market segment that otherwise might not donate.
