Wearing a "F*ck Cancer" shirt during an event: acceptable or not?

GMAN 19030

So my brother lost his spouse to cancer in 2011.  F*ck cancer was their motto.

My brother had a "F*ck Cancer" (f-word not edited) shirt made that he's going to wear at the Philly Marathon.  It's a public place with kids around and all that.  I would never wear something like that and think it's kind of gauche but that's me.  I get it though.

Acceptable or not?  I'm not going to even bring the subject up to him.  He's entitled to do what he wants in this case as far as I'm concerned.

Joe Matchette

Acceptable.

Coach Rich

Posted By Bob McCallum on 29 Oct 2014 07:51 AM

So my brother lost his spouse to cancer in 2011.  F*ck cancer was their motto.

My brother had a "F*ck Cancer" (f-word not edited) shirt made that he's going to wear at the Philly Marathon.  It's a public place with kids around and all that.  I would never wear something like that and think it's kind of gauche but that's me.  I get it though.

Acceptable or not?  I'm not going to even bring the subject up to him.  He's entitled to do what he wants in this case as far as I'm concerned.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. He can get the same message across without using the actual message, if that makes sense. For me it would be a "Really? Do you have to go all the way to that place?" kinda thing. 

Lost my mom to cancer in '93

steve Beyer

Lost my sister to cancer last year, and think coach R said it very well. But, to each his own.

moetai@gmail.com

Not with u on that one, to lose your wife to cancer..Heck, i would even get my kids to wear that "F*ck Cancer" shirt, BUT i would teach them that the F word is very inappropriate, and just like violence, THEY SHOULD NOT USE IT!!!!! 99.99% of the time...unless you have to. Being responsible adult is knowing when you are in that 0.01% situation (i think)

Robert Sabo

For me, wouldn't spell it all out.

jaleslie

Not acceptable.  Agree with the sentiment, but not appropriate for public.  

MattAaronson

Personally seeing someone wearing such a shirt wouldn't bother me. But I wouldn't wear one.

Similarly, spoken profanity doesn't bother me, but I personally try hard to avoid using profanity around people who I don't know well, in case it is offensive to them.

This has nothing to do with me caring about what people who don't know me think about me, and more about not wanting to offend people or make them feel unwelcome around me.

Tom Box

Not appropriate. Other ways to get the point across without profanity.

Dino Sarti

Not appropriate or "classy".

In college, my frat made t-shirts to celebrate a trip to Mexico. It had a cartoon penis wearing a sombero. I figured 50% of the population had one and the half (of certain age) had some experience with the subject. I got a lot of stares. In hindsight, I realized I was being an obnoxious asshole. Not parallel to your bro at all, but of a similar flavor.

Terry Mulvey

Lost my husband to cancer in May. Everyone hates cancer. Run for your brothers spouse not the phrase that got them through the ordeal.

Scott Alexander

Lost too many friends and family (most recently mom in '10) to cancer, but I'd agree it's not cool for public consumption.

Acceptable (to me) substitute: wear the shirt but tape over the "uc" part of the f-bomb. Medium ground, my $.02.

GMAN 19030

I think F-Cancer or F*ck Cancer or whatever conveys the message without being over the top by actually using the f-word.

I also assume he could get DQ'd for it.

Joe Matchette

Perhaps he could meet in the middle. Still wear the shirt he has, but just cover the critical letter with pink tape.... The arm warmers Gen had made for me used a pink ribbon in lieu of the "u". Gets the point across without being 'in your face' offensive.

I still think it is acceptable. Gauche and in poor form, yes.....