Eduardo Calderon
Staff Writer
After the release of NISD’s school policies towards the popular ‘i heart boobies’ breast cancer bracelets, Johnson clarifies its own decision concerning these bracelets.
“It’s a discretionary call for the principal [due to] its highly offensive meaning,” Principal John Melhbrech said.
Some students believe that it is appropriate for them to wear these bracelets.
“They are signifying their awareness for breast cancer,” sophomore Benjamin Valdez said.
Other students recognize different motives.
“Kids wear those to be cool,” sophomore Darius Davila said.
Administration has its own view on these bracelets.
“It’s highly disrespectful to the female generation,” Melhbrech said. “It uses inappropriate language.”
For this reason administration is handling this issue more strictly, leaving students with much speculation.
“Maybe they think it’s inappropriate for what it emphasizes,” Davila said.
“It uses inappropriate language,” Melhbrech said.
Administration is enforcing punishment for students wearing these bracelets.
“If you have it, we will take it. Further action will be taken if it continues,” Melhbrech said.
Consequences will be dealt according to typical school policy.
“Its standard disciplinary actions: dealing with students first, then talking with parents, then, if it continues detention, ISS, etc.,” Melhbrech said.
Confiscated bracelets may be returned on one condition.
“Your parents can come and pick them up,” Melhbrech said, “We try to work with everybody, but its inappropriate.”
Cameron • Oct 14, 2011 at 2:01 pm
I really dont think this is an appropriate way to deal with this, even if Mr. Melbrech thinks that this is “innapropriate”, these bracelets are for something that effects women everywhere, and most girls arent offended by the “I Love Boobies” bracelet anyway. Just because Mr. Melbrech doesn’t like the context, doesn’t mean he gets to shove his ideas down our throats.
Wilbur • Sep 6, 2011 at 2:11 pm
who is this Eduardo character?
Clarinda Alcarez • Aug 30, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Well in my opinon, I don’t think that students should be wearing bracelets that say I <3 boobies. They do say support breast cancer but it's very little, and most people think it's rude. And I agree with those people, there are so many other ways to support breast cancer, but wearing a bracelet that says I <3 boobies isn't one of them.
Melissa B. • Aug 29, 2011 at 10:16 pm
I think the braclets are perfectly fine, everyone knows why they are being worn they have something to do with breast cancer. There not being worn to offend anyone.
A Quintero • Aug 29, 2011 at 2:08 pm
I am for these bracelets since they are not offensive but helpful. They were made for a cause and they shouldn’t be taken away. There are many women with this problem and we should help them. The fact that schools won’t permit it is just ridiculous because it makes them seem like its not a good cause and that its vulgar when it really isn’t. They are promoting the cure to a serious illness and not anything else. I personally think they should be allowed to show all the people that are struggling with this (like my own grandmother) that we care and we want to help. I think the fact that schools don’t allow these bracelets are much more offensive than what it says.
marcus cardoza • Aug 29, 2011 at 2:03 pm
i think that although some might see the bracelets as disrespectful it is the person wearing it who has the choice to decide for themselves whether or not they want to wear it. Freedom of speech is whats so great about this country and if your supporting a cause in your own way then thats your choice.
Julia P. • Aug 26, 2011 at 11:09 pm
i feel as though the bracelets can be used in both ways. i think people should be able to wear them, and im sure alot of students will say they are doing it strictly for breast cancer but, some of these people will not be telling the truth. i, personally, do not think the school should ban them. but i can see where they are coming from. and to some girls it can be offensive of bring back a horrific memory, and therefore thats what administration is trying to prevent. everyone should feel comfortable at school…
Hunter H • Aug 26, 2011 at 2:50 pm
I believe that we should have the right to wear these bracelets, it supports breast cancer and it doesn’t need to be taken up just because the school staff misinterprets the slogan.
Taylor B. • Aug 26, 2011 at 2:50 pm
I dont wear my bracelet because its “cool”. Even tho the bracelet does use inappropriate language i still think it is for a really good cause. I don’t find it offensive because i know it is recognizing breast cancer. I do agree with the fact that some kids do wear the bracelet just to be immature. But sending a student to iss for something as small as wearing a bracelet is ridiculous.
Ricardo Garza • Aug 26, 2011 at 2:05 pm
I think that this article was very interesting in the fact that i had no idea that the money for the bracelets did not go to breast cancer funds. I also agree with the strictness on the bracelets because the bracelets are not for breast cancer they are for “fashion”
Dezmon M • Aug 26, 2011 at 2:03 pm
i dont think the administration should take up the bracelets unless someone specifically says its a distraction or its bothering them. The braclets wont affect what you do in school because it has nothing to do with it? I dont think its inapropriate either because its supproting breast cancer.
Melissa • May 4, 2011 at 7:40 pm
*personally
Melissa • May 4, 2011 at 7:39 pm
I think this is very dumb to bann a bracelet that is only HELPING. The bracelts help US, as students, to speak our mind and support WITHOUT really speaking. THE FIRST AMENDMENT TELLS US WE ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR THESE BRACELETS AS LONG AS ITS NOT DISTURBING TO PEOPLE LEARNING! So its OFFENSIVE to me that Mr. Mehlbrek has banned such a thing! I do not HAVE a bracelet personably(due to lack of money to buy one), but breast cancer runs in my family ON BOTH SIDES! So we should speak out against it! We should be allowed to wear the bracelets! Its so stupid how schools want to take EVERYTHING the wrong way! ARRRG, reading this artical really upset me, now I realize we can’t even wear a bracelet with out having someone jumping down our throats. Who has the right to say we can’t support cancer?
Ivey • Mar 22, 2011 at 10:52 pm
I think the bracelets are offensive and disrespectful to breast cancer patients. Most of the students I see wearing the bracelets are boys, and the message portrayed is sexist towards women. A lot of people are making the argument that the wrist bands are for a good cause, however, only a miniscule percentage is aiding awareness, not a cure. It’s disappointing to see students so ill-informed about where their money is going, and more intrigued about having the word “boobies” on their arm to support a fad.
Chase • Nov 19, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I have one of these because somebody in my family had cancer, and I wanted to play a part in helping cure them. The should be allowed but not just to be cool or frivolous, these bracelets are getting awareness out though.
Amanda Carter • Nov 15, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Those bracelets were created for a good cause. They need to find something better to confiscate than a couple of rubber bracelets…srsly?
heather • Nov 11, 2010 at 5:44 pm
i dont think wearing the “I love boobies” bracelets are inappropriate because it is showing support for something that is a big deal in our society. And them being taken is stupid because people are supporting to find a cure for breast cancer, and others should respect that…
MeganElizabethYoung • Nov 11, 2010 at 5:12 pm
These bracelets were created to support breast cancer awareness-and yes it caught attention to a younger audience and possibly an immature audience. But the money they spent on buying it goes to breast cancer and if some of the models for the bracelet are being immature about it well that’s unfortunate. You can’t control how people view certain things. I’ll admit when I saw a shirt that said “I heart boobies” i was like “Wow-real mature” then I heard what it was for. I smiled and was happy that someone came up with a clever and fun idea to raise awareness.
Justice. • Nov 7, 2010 at 4:30 pm
wow, confiscating these bracelets isn’t a great idea. i understand how melhbreech feels, about it being ‘inappropriate’, but isn’t that what gets everyones attention?
sure, some students just buy them to be ‘cool’, but others actually buy them for a purpose. whether the komen organization gets 100% of the profits, or 15%, it shouldn’t matter.
it’s spreading awareness, and that’s the whole point.
Daisy • Nov 2, 2010 at 8:32 pm
*Big issue in society
Daisy • Nov 2, 2010 at 8:29 pm
I understand that the braclets may make some people uncomfortable, but i don’t agree with the administraion taking them up. I have three close friends who have suffered through cancer, and still are, and my mom is a radiation oncologist. She works with people every day whose lives are being slowly darined by the harsh affects of cancer treatments. It is a big day in today’s society that can’t be ignored by not letting students wear these braclets.
sierra • Nov 2, 2010 at 1:36 am
Im a girl, its not offensive. Its suporting breast cancer. I didnt know that was a crime. I wear it because its for breast cancer and ive had family with it! Why should we be punished for expressing our opinion. He tried that last year and it didnt work. I dont think it will work this year.
Samantha Bressi • Nov 1, 2010 at 8:14 pm
boobies* sorry lol
Samantha Bressi • Nov 1, 2010 at 8:13 pm
The student body wears them to simply promote the cause, yet some do engage in the act as immaturity. Yet i wear one to simply support my mother and the race for a cure. i feel like its not right to band them when the money is going to a cause. i thought thats what we were all about, helping to better the world? How is it than when the word “bobbies” is involved it has to go complete negative, and not even given a chance to stand for what it really is representing.
Brittany • Nov 1, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Its not right that they punish you for wearing the “i heart boobies” braccelets. The money that is spent on those actually go to the cancer foundation. My grandmother died from breast cancer and my mom bought me that bracelet its horrible that they are punishing us for supporting a important cause.
Samantha Bressi • Nov 1, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Like Jake Boggus said, the whole point of these bracletes were taken to the wrong climax, and thrown way out of proportion. My mother is fighting breast cancer, and as me wearing one im simply promoting the idea of awareness; as im sure of others as well. And i fully agree with Jane, im a Junior and my whole school life changed this year for not what i transfered from MacArthur for, its a bit much… Dont tell me the skys the limit when theres foot prints on the moon, i feel like if i want to support my mother, than i can, and i will, as much as i can, till the school bands something else like these as well…
Emily • Nov 1, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I found it offensive at first and then I found out what it was for. Wearing these bracelets lets others know that we support Breast Cancer Awareness. Mr. Melhbrech punishing us for wearing them goes against our First Amendment. We can only assume two things from this action: could he possibly be against Breast Cancer Awareness, or is he a principal trying to dictate our freedom?
Emory • Nov 1, 2010 at 1:58 pm
I’m a girl and I’m not offended. They can wear them all they want, just as long as they’re not lewd about it in my opinion.
Brittney • Oct 28, 2010 at 3:20 pm
I think that since the school year started they’ve been jamming rules down our throats. These aren’t just ANY rules, they’re rules that are keeping a majority of the student body from expressing who they REALLY are. The “I love boobies” bracelets shouldn’t be banned, who’s it offensive to?! They’re supporting breast cancer, now try and explain to me the “offensive” part of that.
Jane • Oct 26, 2010 at 8:50 pm
I encourage everyone to buy a I heart Boobies bracelet… support BREAT CANCER!!!
Jane • Oct 26, 2010 at 8:49 pm
My brother wears one and he wears it for BREAST CANCER not because he thinks it’s cool, he bought one to help the cause and I think it’s rediculous to punish kids for supporting what they believe in, what’s next? they can’t control what we believe no matter how hard they try…
Monique Ressel • Oct 26, 2010 at 5:48 pm
This is ridicoulous, just because it says boobies on it DOES NOT make it offensive! I know several people who have had breast cancer and these braclets help support breast cancer cure and prevention, people who are offended by it should realize that this is a perfectly fine way for someone to express themeselves.. Administration needs to just realize they cannot stop us from supporting what we believe in…
Justin • Oct 26, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I have one of those bracelets but i dont have it just to be cool or anything like that, i only wear it because of breast cancer i can understand that it can be seen as inappropiate but only if you look at it that way.
Elizabeth • Oct 26, 2010 at 3:39 am
I think wearing the bracelets is a great way to support an important cause such as breast cancer prevention. I don’t think it is fair to penalize those who’s lives have been affected by breast cancer purely because the bracelets are taken out of context. I have to at least give some credit to the immature students for spending money to get their bracelet and contributing money for the cause.
April • Oct 25, 2010 at 11:57 am
Finally! I don’t like those
Question.. Is it really a mistamener (idk how to spell it) to wear those?
Jake boggus • Oct 25, 2010 at 3:06 am
These bracelets were made for breast cancer specifically. It shouldn’t be an issue but like many other things it’s meaning was taken out of context.