Tuesday, February 03, 2004

Dear Federal Communications Commission,

Like many Americans, we were shocked by the exposure of one Ms Sun Jackson at the halftime of this year's Super Bowl. While we too feel the episode is deplorable and saddening, we would urge you to exercise caution during your investigation of this matter.

Too often in our society the blame is placed on a breast or breasts for actions, or exposure such as this one, when the real focus should be put on the ways in which breasts are otherwise exploited and maligned in our culture today. We do believe that Ms Jackson should be responsible for her actions, if indeed she had a hand in the proceedings, but that in many ways she has acted out of influence from popular media and should not bear the full front of this investigation. We here at the National Ova and Breast Representation Association (NOBRA) feel that you should take certain societal factors into account as you research the incident.

In today's society, misbreastgeny is at an all time high. Breasts face oppression, high standards of perfection, and contradictions in regards to activity and appearance. Culture has dictated that all breasts must garb themselves in the constricting and concealing attire of bras, but there is a high market for free breast pornography. With such contradiction in the media, young breasts today are growing up with a sense of low self-worth. They are broken down into two confining stereotypes: that of the "good" breast, and that of the "slut." These stereotypes often do not originate in behavior; something as trivial as size may determine the social status of a breast. This dichotomy is especially damaging as it does not allow for free reign of expression and experimentation in young breasts today, and many grow up without coming into a true sense of self. Combine this with the constant barrage of media attention to this perfect breast or that, never showing a true spectrum of breasts, and you have a recipe for disaster.

The Perfect Breast must never sag or be oddly shaped, it must be round and full, with the nipple in proper position. It must be hairless, smooth, and tanned. In many cases, it must be altered in size in order to more genuinely titillate the senses of the penis. It is a sexual object at the same time that it is confined to the "traditional" and oppressive roles of motherhood and childcare. The two are mutually exclusive; a breast cannot be sexy at the same time that it is nursing because this creates anxiety and disgust in the opposite sex. You can see how these divisions seek to contain the freedom and rights of the breast, and allow for further degradation in the media and popular culture.

We ask that you review the case of Ms Jackson with a few questions in mind: Was she reacting to certain cultural dictates that say she, as a breast, can only make news by being sexy and controversial? Was she betrayed by these forces into thinking that it was a proper response? Ask yourself how this case might be different if the breast in question had not been black. Do we assign different standards and stigmas to breasts of color?

Most importantly, should not the hand, which played an important role in the event, also be questioned and held accountable? To many viewpoints, ours included, the incident resembles a sexual assault on the part of the hand, and this is why it is offensive. The breast is too often used as a sexual object controlled by the objectifiers. If we had a healthier outlook on breasts, their rights, and freedoms, perhaps this episode would not have happened. Being a breast is, after all, not something we can help. We are just as nature made us, and it is time for us to stand up and be proud of who we are for individuals. It is time also to reject the standards that have been set and make new ones that reflect a proper and reasonable response to episodes such as this. We ask you to forgive Ms Jackson her "blunder" but remember that she is an adult capable of making her own decisions. Thank you for taking the time to hear our case,

Yours sincerely,
Hildegard and Clara H
Co-Presidents, NOBRA