Correction appended
When is a bra more than a bra?
In a way, they are like pantyhose: They are among the first things you want to take off after a long day at work.
But, unfortunately, in spite of all of their efforts, over time, they have been associated with women seeking equality. Feminists were labeled “bra burners” even though no bra-burning event ever really occurred.
So then, why would the AU Athletics or the women’s basketball team decide to combine a celebration of Title IX and women and girls in sports with the equivalent of a sophomoric and tasteless boob-a-thon, as they did during the Bra-Decorating Contest that occurred during halftime at the Feb. 11 women’s basketball game? Why would the sole occasion inviting young, prepubescent girls to meet women athletes and get their signatures be marred by a half-time equivalent of a Betty Crocker Bake-Off or Boob-Off?
Worse yet, many breast cancer survivors actually have gone through the trauma of the removal of one or more breasts, so who thought it was a good idea to have 20 or so individuals wearing at least 44DDs (at least over their clothes) reminding these women that they no longer need bras?
And what is funny about a bra with hands painted as if grabbing a woman’s breasts? Am I missing something here?
Prostrate cancer, too, is a serious problem. But if I heard the announcer correctly, if you are among the first 1,000 people at the next men’s game you can get a Jeff Jones bobble head. No mention of a jock strap decorating competition to highlight prostrate cancer.
Why not? If it’s funny to make fun of women’s breasts on a day devoted to the positives associated with girls in sports, Saturday’s game taught them two very conflicting facts: It is great to watch real women’s athleticism, but as a girl you can look forward to being judged by your body and measured and evaluated by the size and shape of your breasts.
Maybe we can look forward to attendees at a women’s game being given some silly tchotchke: a poster of balls to the walls, a jock strap suitable for decorating. (Here I have to stop myself from giving away the number of ideas that immediately come to mind or even nut crackers.)
If decorating bras is for a good cause, why not celebrate testicles the same way?
Karen O’Connor, JD/Ph.D.
Jonathan N. Helfat Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Founder and Director Emerita, Women & Politics Institute, SPA
Editor's note: This op-ed says AU Athletics combined the Title IX and breast cancer awareness events. The Title IX event was Feb. 4. The breast cancer awareness event was Feb. 11.
